Our Pastors’ Journey
Our pastors’ story is one of God’s grace, redemption, and calling. Pastor Jesse and Allie first met as children in 1982 at Allie’s home. Jesse was just 7 years old, and Allie was 6. Jesse happened to be best friends with Allie’s brother, Fermin, and soon he was like part of the family. Allie’s mom would faithfully take the kids to church, often bringing Jesse along. What seemed like small moments of childhood friendship were actually the first seeds God was planting for the journey ahead.
By the time Jesse and Allie were 9 and 10, they were regularly sitting in church together, learning about God’s love and growing in faith. As teenagers, at 15 and 16, they began dating. But life was not without its trials. Just a month later, Jesse found himself in jail. It became a turning point in his young life, a season that could have defined him with brokenness but instead became the place where God began to write a new chapter.
At 18 years old, Jesse surrendered his life completely to Jesus, and Allie rededicated her life to the Lord. This was more than just a personal decision; it was the beginning of a shared calling. God was shaping them, refining them, and preparing them for the ministry that was ahead.
In 1998, at just 21 and 22 years old, Jesse and Allie stepped out in faith to plant their first church in Cathedral City, California. With little more than a burning passion to reach people for Jesus, they began building what God had placed in their hearts. Every step forward was marked by faith, prayer, and the grace of God.
In 2006, God opened the doors for them to pastor Living Word in the Desert in Indio, California. What began as one church has since grown into two campuses: our main campus in Indio and a second in Desert Hot Springs. Through every season, their vision has remained the same: to see lives transformed, families restored, and people walking in the fullness of their God-given purpose.
Pastors Jesse and Allie’s story is a reminder that God takes broken beginnings and turns them into testimonies of His power and grace. Their hearts burn with a passion to restore hearts and raise up disciples who will impact generations. Today, they continue to lead Living Word in the Desert with humility, faith, and love for God’s people.
By the time Jesse and Allie were 9 and 10, they were regularly sitting in church together, learning about God’s love and growing in faith. As teenagers, at 15 and 16, they began dating. But life was not without its trials. Just a month later, Jesse found himself in jail. It became a turning point in his young life, a season that could have defined him with brokenness but instead became the place where God began to write a new chapter.
At 18 years old, Jesse surrendered his life completely to Jesus, and Allie rededicated her life to the Lord. This was more than just a personal decision; it was the beginning of a shared calling. God was shaping them, refining them, and preparing them for the ministry that was ahead.
In 1998, at just 21 and 22 years old, Jesse and Allie stepped out in faith to plant their first church in Cathedral City, California. With little more than a burning passion to reach people for Jesus, they began building what God had placed in their hearts. Every step forward was marked by faith, prayer, and the grace of God.
In 2006, God opened the doors for them to pastor Living Word in the Desert in Indio, California. What began as one church has since grown into two campuses: our main campus in Indio and a second in Desert Hot Springs. Through every season, their vision has remained the same: to see lives transformed, families restored, and people walking in the fullness of their God-given purpose.
Pastors Jesse and Allie’s story is a reminder that God takes broken beginnings and turns them into testimonies of His power and grace. Their hearts burn with a passion to restore hearts and raise up disciples who will impact generations. Today, they continue to lead Living Word in the Desert with humility, faith, and love for God’s people.