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Arising From The Ashes

The Full Gospel Tribes for Christ Church on the Viejas Indian Reservation, Alpine California was founded in the early 1990s by now deceased Francis D. Espinoza. Church meetings were held under a large old Pepper tree behind the current building.  Several years later, the congregation assembled in a trailer in front of that same tree.

There were several attempts to build a permanent structure over the years. In the early 2000s, a new church building was finally constructed, however, because the Tribal Counsel did not approve, it was torn down. The church then began fund raising for a new building, and a double wide trailer was installed. Unfortunately, however, it was burned down in 2010 by someone who did not know the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just like silver and gold are refined in the furnace, the good people of the Full Gospel for Christ church and Pastor Melvin Flake have been tried by fire.

The rebuilding of the new church has been a long time “Arising from the Ashes,” however getting closer to the day of completion, this time as a steel structure. The exterior is 95% complete. The final phases of construction include asphalt parking for the handicapped, exterior entryway finish, electrical supplies, interior doors and frames, heat and air conditioning, flooring, fire sprinkler system, ADA approved bathroom fixtures, T-Grid ceiling panels, drywall along with painting. And, of course, there is always furniture, such as sanctuary seating, outfitting the Bible class rooms, and rebuilding the church library which was destroyed in the fire.

The electrician wiring the new church is a wonderful woman of God, who owns her own electrical company and is doing the work herself, with the pastors help, pro bono.  Volunteerism is hard to come by these days. She is a senior, who, with the Lords blessing has recently been cured of cancer. She and the volunteers who installed the metal studs are a bright shining light in this world of darkness, as is Pastor Flake, who has been the pastor of the Full Gospel Tribes for Christ over the past 20 years.

He is a strong Christian leader among many of the Native Americans. He has redefined the word “patience” in the rebuilding of this church. Pastor Flake has continued preaching the Gospel in homes of individuals who opened their doors and hearts to the Word of The Lord.

All church staff, including the pastors, are unpaid volunteers. All revenues go to the work of the ministry and the church building project. What does the church, Pastor Flake, and the Native Americans on the Viejas reservation need now? Prayers. Prayers for God to bless the Native Americans who need to hear the Word of The Lord and the completion of the Full Gospel Tribes for Christ church as it “Arises From The Ashes.”

You can reach Pastor Melvin Flake and the Full Gospel Tribes For Christ Church at:

Full Gospel Tribes For Christ Church
Pastor Melvin Flake
PO Box 1223
Alpine, CA 91905
619-873-7372
1shepherd4him@gmail.com

Please let the Native Americans of the Viejas Reservation know that you would like to be a prayer partner for the completion of The Full Gospel Tribes For Christ Church.