Congregations Come Together to BE THERE and Make a Difference in the Lives of a Refugee Pastor and His Family

"There are no coincidences in God. What I’m experiencing is a miracle. God keeps doing wonders.” Pastor Fernando Garcia

Pastor Fernando Garcia dedicated his life to helping those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. He ran a rehabilitation center in Guanajuato, Mexico, where he helped people overcome their addiction and shared the Gospel with them. The local drug cartel saw him as a threat and threatened to kill him for preaching the Gospel, helping those who wanted to escape the cartel, and interrupting their drug operations.

Despite the threats, Pastor Garcia continued his ministry, but the cartel opened fire on his church, killing two congregation members. Fearing for their lives, Pastor Garcia’s congregation and family asked him to flee from Mexico.

God worked through a sister in faith in Aurora, Illinois, who had visited Mexico and Pastor Garcia’s church there. She offered her home in Illinois as a safe space for Pastor Garcia so he could prepare for his family to join him. She shared his story with Pastor Alex Merlo of Iglesia San Pablo in Aurora, Illinois. Pastor Merlo was able to assist him in finding work, and a home for his family.

For eight months, Pastor Garcia rode his bike to work, church, and grocery shopping, which was particularly challenging during the cold winter months in Illinois.  

This past summer, Pastors Merlo and Garcia picked up a car that was donated for Pastor Garcia’s family, which has proven to be a tremendous blessing. Now, Pastor Garcia, his wife, and their three daughters have a safe mode of transportation.

This donation has made a difference in the lives of their family as well as the lives of the people he ministers to.

Pastor Merlo connected Pastor Garcia with LCC’s Human Care Ministry.  In God’s perfect timing, a senior citizen, who was moving into an assisted living facility, donated some of her furniture to LCC to be used for a family in need. This donation was enough to furnish a two-bedroom home for Pastor Garcia and his family.

LCC was able to facilitate two congregations, Immanuel, East Dundee, and Iglesia San Pablo, Aurora, to work  together to impact the lives of two families in their congregations. Immanuel’s congregation paid for the moving truck, provided volunteers to load a household of furniture in East Dundee, and volunteers to drive the donation to Aurora. Once in Aurora, Pastor Merlo, members of their congregation, and Pastor and Mrs. Garcia, now reunited with her husband, unloaded the furniture.

God brought together a donor, members of Immanuel and Iglesia San Pablo to provide the needed resources to furnish a duplex on the church's property, which is now the family’s new home.

Because of your generous donations, we were able to BE THERE for Pastor Garcia and his family by providing them with clothes, furniture, and other supplies to start their new life in America.

Pastor Garcia’s story is of a man who has dedicated his life to helping others and was forced to leave everything behind due to violent persecution.

It is also a testament to the power of community where a group of people come together to help a family in need, and how their kindness and generosity made a difference to the Garcia family. Despite facing significant challenges, the family never gave up hope and faith.

Thank you for BEING THERE with LCC to make a difference in the lives of Pastor Garcia and his family.

Give Your Gift to BE THERE with LCC to Help Others

Please watch the video to hear Pastor Garcia's incredible story and how you were able
to BE THERE for Pastor Garcia and his family.