PhD in Rhetoric from Texas Woman’s University
M.A. in English from Texas Woman’s University
B.S. in Biblical Studies from Southwestern A/G University
Ordained Minister with the Texas Louisiana Hispanic District of A/G
Under 40 Executive Presbyter for the Assemblies of God
TX LA Hispanic District Girls Ministries Director
Board of Directors, Christ Mission College (San Antonio, TX)
Serves on National Girls Ministries Task Force Team
Blogger for Healthy Kid Min
Blogger for Melissa’s Memoirs https://pastormalfaro.wordpress.com/
*Facebook and Instagram
Author of Book The Day the Princess Cried, which was revised and rereleased in April 2017 with a complete study guide/small group guide.
During her time at T.W.U. she was awarded the Edgar Dean Literary Endowment for her excellence in academics and for her exposition on a piece of literature. Her Master’s degree was awarded to her after successful completion of her thesis entitled, The Oppression and Deliverance of Women in Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street. Her thesis focuses on the treatment of women in various ethnic communities and discusses the cultural constraints that hinder women from reaching their full potential. In 2008, Pastor Melissa published her first book, The Day the Princess Cried: The Diaries of the Biblical Princess of Lamentations and has been a contributing author of Nuestra Gente, a magazine directed to the Latin community in the Houston area. In 2012 she received her PhD in Rhetoric from Texas Woman’s University after completion of her dissertation entitled, Breaking the Silence: A Rhetorical Analysis of Selected Works by Sandra Cisneros and Toni Morrison Through the Lens of Northrop Frye's Rhetorical Theories of Speech and Style where she examines the topic of the female voice through various literary works by ethnic writers, applying the rhetorical theories of Northrop Frye as a means of enlightening and empowering the audience to examine their communities and realize the ramifications of silence and the power that exists in the utterance of one voice.
Dr. Alfaro has over 10 years working in education as a teacher, staff development presenter, motivational speaker and District Middle School ESL Coordinator. In collaboration with public school districts, she has initiated mentoring leadership programs for at-risk teens.
Presently Dr. Alfaro, and her husband of 15 years, Pastor J. Alfaro, serve as the Senior Pastors of El Tabernaculo A/D in Houston. TX. She often refers to Houston as her "place of purpose." She also serves as the Girls Ministries Director for the Texas Louisiana Hispanic District as well as sits on the National Girls Ministries Lead Team for the Assemblies of God. She is a writer and blogger for the Assemblies of God publication resource Healthy Kid Ministries and loves to chronicle her personal journey on her blog Melissa’s Memoirs. She is the author of the book The Day the Princess Cried. Above all other titles, she is most excited about joining the mommy club in April 2018 with the arrival of her baby boy. It is her desire to help individuals draw closer to God through prayer and empower them to live out their God-given purpose. She has weathered many storms in her life, but one thing she has learned is that God never wastes a season, and it is with that hindsight that she is now committed to encourage others...to enjoy the journey.