It all started with a door knock… There stood a young woman at my door inviting me to go to church. Her name was Becky Alaniz. I said, “Here, take my kids” ... So, she took my kids to church without me. After much persistence, she convinced me to attend a service. After attending a few times, something wonderful happen to me, I was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. It felt like supernatural dynamite! Little did I know it, my life would never be the same. At the age of 27, God delivered me from drugs, alcohol and suicide… All because a child of God knocked on my door.

My very first pastor was, Elder Kenneth Fields of Oxnard, United Pentecostal Church. He poured into me the Word of God and taught me how to live and serve God. Soon after that, I started to have a passion for souls. God gave me the gift of knowledge and I began to know things about people; and because of this gift, God used me to minister to people.

It seemed not too long after that, that I felt the Lord call me to preach. I started preaching at my home church in Oxnard and then I continued in this by studying to be a minister. I was excited when I finally reached my goal and was awarded my ministers license (through the United Pentecostal Church organization).

Soon afterward, I decided to go on a vacation and went to the Island of Fiji in the Pacific. God had other plans for me though because I met some ministers there on the island from our organization and they asked me to come and preach in their churches. While on vacation, I begin to preach the Word of God to the people of Fiji and the Lord took me to a greater level  through this encounter – it was mind blowing. I started praying for these beautiful people and they were getting healed and I was laying hands on them and they were receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (with the evidence of speaking tongues). Although I lived in Camarillo, I went back and forth to this island and ministered in Fiji for 10 years.

During the time I was preach
ing in Fiji, I also begin a Spanish service in my home church. There I begin to learn what it would be like to be a pastor. I felt a desire to shepherd souls.

As my walk with God grew stronger, I begin to feel a tug in my heart to start a church in Moorpark. It was now time to be a Pastor, to plant a church and begin a work on domestic grounds. The City of Moorpark is where I am called and that is where I will labor. I have a burden for this City and I know this is where God wants me.  So, in 2006, I began a church and named it Rock of Zion.

I have also served as the Secretary of Foreign Missions for Southern California’s United Pentecostal Church organization for 7 years.  Wherever I am called, I will serve.

My Favorite scripture is Isaiah 58:5,

5) Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 6) Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

I know from absolute experience that if you are going to do anything for God, you better learn to fast!

Chosen for his purpose,

Pastor Francisco Rojo