OUR STORY

The church of Life Tabernacle first began in the month of June 1977, in the city of Bell Gardens. The congregation at that time consisted of only 25 members under the pastorship of Bro. Samuel Hurtado. But very soon, through the hard work and evangelism by the brothers of the church, Bro. Mario Moreno Sr. was the first baptism that took place in the month of May 1978, and a few months later his wife, Sis. Laura Moreno, was also baptized alongside Sis. Sylvia Leiva . In the matter of a couple of years, the congregation increases to a membership of 150 members.

In September of 1985, the church experienced a period of transition, and as a result relocated into a small location in the garage at the residence of Sis. Elsa Gonzalez, in the city of Paramount. During this time, the congregation consisted of about 25 members.

In November of 1985, the Lord provided the church with a very young pastor Rick Ramirez and his wife, Denise. In the month of August of 1986, the Lord allowed us to move to the city of Bell Gardens and rent space at the church, United Pentecostal Church. This church was located on Eastern Ave in Bell Gardens. At this time, many souls were baptized including brother and sister Ignacio and Sara Cortez, Hugo and Gloria Garcia, and Francisco and Adela Lomeli; and the church grew to around 80 members.

In the month of August of 1987, the Lord allowed us to rent a church building at another location on Eastern and Lubec, which allowed a greater liberty for the brothers and sisters to work. Here the Lord blessed us greatly by adding many more families, including brother and sister Andres and Gabriela Franco, brother and sister Luis and Maria Lopez, sister Raquel Lopez, sister Chabelita Torres, and brother Sergio Martinez. During this time, the church grew to a number of 100 members. As the church continued to grow, the blessings from God, once again poured out on Life Tabernacle. In the month of January 1990, the Lord

provided Life Tabernacle its own building located in the city of Maywood, located on 60th St and Alamo. Through the hard work of the brothers and sisters, the building was inaugurated in August of 1990. Under the Pastorship of Rick Ramirez, the church grew to 150 members and enjoyed a time of spiritual blessings.

In the year of 1994, the church transitioned to a new pastor, Pastor Daniel G. Sanchez and his wife, Evangelina Sanchez. Under the pastorship of Pastor Daniel G. Sanchez, the church was greatly blessed of the Lord. After 2 years, in 1996, in the city of Maywood, Pastor Daniel G. Sanchez took a leap of faith and purchased a building in the corner of Beaty Ave and Fidel, in the city of Whittier. Although, the church did not have the membership to financially support the cost of the building, Pastor Sanchez believed this was the will of the Lord, and the Lord provided. During this time, the church experienced a period of growth in its membership, and by the year 2006, the membership reached a number of 400 members.

Between the years 2000 and 2008, Pastor Daniel G. Sanchez was elected the ninth Bishop President of the Apostolic Assembly of the faith in Christ Jesus. During Pastor Sanchez’ presidency, the church continued to thrive through the key leadership of the two co-pastors that Pastor Sanchez assigned; and these two co-pastors were Minister Noel Leiva and Minister Ignacio Cortez. When Pastor Sanchez’ tenure as president came to an end, he returned to pastor Life Tabernacle full-time. Between the years 2009 and 2015, Pastor Sanchez dedicated himself fully and established the church’s purpose and vision for many years to come. This vision is “Preach, Teach, Baptize, Disciple, and Evangelize publicly and from house to house.”

On August 2, 2015, Pastor Daniel G. Sanchez retired and Life Tabernacle received its fourth pastor, Pastor Mario B. Lopez. Now we are going to see what the Lord will have for us in the coming years.