Iglesia Cristiana de las Americas comes to Newhall

It is with great joy and wonder I share God is indeed doing a “new thing,” and “now it springs forth.” The Holy Spirit is definitely alive and moving in our midst! After much prayer, and much work, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, our Session unanimously approved the creation of a partnership beginning July 1, between FPCN and a new Hispanic worshiping community (aka, a new church plant), currently called “Iglesia Cristiana de la Americas” (Iglesia church).

FPCN has always had a heart for Hispanic ministry. In the 20 years I have been around, we made two real attempts to reach out to our Spanish– speaking neighbors. Both attempts failed in part because we did not have the right people in charge of the programs. This is what makes this partnership such a wonderful gift from God. Rev. Jose “Felix” Acosta and his wife Brenda are very successful church planters. Folks, these two are the real deal! Their Iglesia church in Boyle Heights was a new church plant 11 years ago and has grown to have 275 regular attendees. This same church helped start a new church in Burbank.

Since approximately 40 people travelled from the Antelope Valley to worship at the Boyle Heights church, Pastor Felix and his wife felt led by the Spirit to begin another new church there. To that end, they partnered with our Presbytery of San Fernando, and planted a new worshiping community at the First Pres. Church of Lancaster. During that process Pastor Felix was ordained into our Presbytery. The new Iglesia church in the Antelope Valley has been worshiping together since last September, funded by a grant from Presbytery. They lost their home when First Pres. Lancaster decided to sell that property. Starting July 1, they will make their home with us!!

The new Iglesia church will primarily be using Fellowship Hall as their worship space. Their services will be on Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm,

usually followed by a potluck dinner. While there are still some logistic and housekeeping details to be worked out, Pastor Felix has invited us to join them in worship. Please plan to attend both gatherings if you are able. It is truly an historic time.

  1. Gathering for a Time of Prayer. Sanctuary, Sunday July 3 at 5:00 pm
  2. Gathering for a Time of Worship and Celebration, followed by a fully hosted potluck dinner. Fellowship Hall, Sunday July 10 at 5:00 pm. All we have to do is show up and get to know each other!

I have included below a short Bio on Pastor Felix, his family, and his journey to this time and place.

Pastor Felix Acosta is 53 years old and has been a committed Christian for 43 years. He has been married to Brenda Maribel for 28 years. They have two sons, Derian Isai, who is 24 years old, and Oliver Eli, who is 23 years old.

He was born in the city Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. Felix was baptized at the age of 10. He has now lived in the United States of America for 30 years.

Felix received his call to serve as a pastor at the young age of 18 while serving his youth group. God gave him the privilege of volunteering in different capacities in the first church I attended. He first came to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 22 after completing a Bachelor’s in business administration.

Felix was officially installed as pastor in the Resurrection Baptist Church in East Los Angeles (American Baptist Churches) in 1990. At the same time, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary to pursue his Master of Divinity degree. In 2010 God gave him the privilege of starting Iglesia Cristiana de Las Americas which is now a fully self–sufficient church in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles.

I am thrilled to partner with the Presbytery of San Fernando in starting a new congregation with members of that church that currently travel from Antelope Valley to Boyle Heights to worship. The new congregation will be called Presbyterian Church of the Americas.

I am trusting God that we will see it become a chartered church of the San Fernando Presbytery in less than five years.

I strongly believe that the Church exists to manifest God’s purposes and character. All of its members should become involved and support the ministries of their congregations so that the church may grow in the community where it was established.

To God be the glory. Amen. Let it be so. Pastor Phil

More information about Iglesia church here