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/

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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.

David oversees Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC), the children’s missions program for the denomination he belongs to. He and his wife, Mary were full-time children’s pastors in three great churches for seventeen years. The Boyds have been involved in children’s ministry for over thirty years. 

David is a graduate of North Central University with a BS in Pastoral Studies. He also has an MA degree in Theological Studies from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

David’s passion is to instill a heart of compassion for missions in kids. He believes that kids can make a difference in the world through praying, giving, and being willing to go. Kids can be challenged to pray for missionaries, for countries, and for people groups. Kids can be challenged to sacrifice for missions so missionaries can have the supplies they need and so the needs of those less fortunate can be met. Kids can also be challenged to keep their hearts open to the call of God to become missionaries and to reach the world with the gospel message.

David has been the guest speaker at numerous conventions, retreats, camps, and other children’s ministry endeavors both here in the US and around the world. He has a big heart for missions, training teachers, and touching the lives of kids.

Mark Entzminger leads teams and influential leaders around the world in their journey to introduce children to Christ and help them grow a faith to last a lifetime.  With over 20 years of local church ministry, and a 4-generation heritage of church leadership his insights are sound and practical.  

He currently leads the Assemblies of God Children’s Ministries Department which is responsible for creating relevant ministry tools for the local churches in the United States of America.  These churches are reaching nearly 750,000 preschool and elementary-aged children through over 13,000 local church expressions each week.  Their shared goal is that every child will have a strong biblical foundation and faith in Christ for the rest of their lives.  

Mark’s vision for children’s ministries includes one of the most important facets for successful spiritual growth; equipping parents to become the primary voice for spiritual growth in their children lives and model the essential values and behaviors for God to use their children so they can find their destiny in Christ.

Mark is married to his college sweetheart Christie, and they have two boys Colby and Cadyn. They are graduates of Central Bible College.

Pat is an ordained Minister in the Pen Florida District. She is living out her passion to equip leaders and encourage believers to live out their faith through the power and the presence of the Precious Holy Spirit. And she's doing it "Family Sized." She blogs at www.patriciaholland.org, preaches everywhere she finds a listener and prays anywhere she sees a need.