Tab and his wonderful bride, Ellen, moved to Puerto Peñasco in 2004 so Tab could pastor the Family of God church. Though engaged in 1982, Tab and Ellen went their separate ways, and Tab remained single until God brought the love of his heart back into his life in 2000. Their 2001 marriage was an incredible, joyful day and the second greatest day of Tab’s life. Tab also gained an amazing son, Kyle, who was 16 at the time.

The greatest day was in 1968 when 9-year-old Tab called Jesus his savior and Lord at a small Baptist Church in Tow, Texas. After moving near grandparents, he and his siblings started attending church with their grandmother, who modeled Christ’s love and even started a Sunday night youth fellowship. This helped Tab fall in love with Jesus and His Church. Later, God brought Tab’s best friend to faith, and a college football player discipled them during their senior year, beginning a two-year spiritual journey that revealed God created and gifted him to be a pastor.

Licensed to preach in 1979, Tab started his ministry with Youth and planned to attend Seminary after earning his degree from the University of Texas. He was ordained in 1983 and earned his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1984. He loved ministering to Youth, preaching, teaching God’s Word, and singing about Jesus. Pastoring the Family of God has been a blessing. He hopes to continue preaching and singing until Jesus calls him Home.

Originally from Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico, Saul lived in Phoenix before moving to Puerto Peñasco, where he began attending the Family of God church in 2012. There he met his wife, Linda, who is from Guaymas, Mexico. Saul and Linda married in 2014 and are blessed with seven children.

In 2004, Saul surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as his Lord and Savior. From that moment on, he has been committed to faithfully serving God. Early in his walk, God began using Saul in prison ministry, serving as a translator for pastors who shared the Gospel in both English and Spanish.

In February 2025, Saul was ordained as a Pastor and Elder at Family of God Church. He is deeply passionate about discipleship and dedicated to equipping future leaders and pastors with the Word of God, using tools such as BTCP and COSA. He is actively involved in several ministries, including Stephen, Transportation, and Bible Study groups.

Originally from Twin Falls, Idaho, Joe moved to Arizona in the 1970s, where he later met his wife, Kimberly, from Sedona, AZ. They were married in 1987 and are blessed with 4 children and 12 grandchildren.

Joe surrendered his life to Jesus in 1990 while serving in the Marine Corps during Desert Storm. Joe and Kim have served together in the following ministries: Security, Welcome Center, Greeters and Ushers, as well as overseers of many in-home small group ministries.

Joe retired from the Fire Service, sold their home, and moved to Puerto Penasco in 2021, where they began attending Family of God Church. Joe was ordained as an Elder of Family of God Church in March 2026. He is passionate about serving the Lord and others. He and his wife host a weekly Bible Study in their home.

Keith and his wife, Jenny, moved to Puerto Peñasco from New Port Richey, Florida, and started attending Family of God in 2023. Keith and Jenny, both native Floridians, married in 2001 and have three children, plus one who is with the Lord. 

He trusted Christ as his Savior at age 13 during summer camp. Even as a young believer, he was eager to share his faith, often leading Bible studies for his friends at his parents’ home. Later, on a mission trip to Puerto Peñasco, they both rededicated their lives to serving the Lord.  

Keith was ordained as an Elder at Family of God in March 2026. He is passionate about discipleship, teaching BTCP classes, and training pastors and leaders in Mexico. He also enjoys teaching English to Spanish speakers and helping others grow in their walk with Christ.

I grew up in a Baptist church from the age of six. I was baptized at fourteen in Chetumal, Quintana Roo. My mother married a man who later became a Baptist pastor and missionary for Quintana Roo and Yucatán. When I was seven, he became a pastor, and the first church we helped establish was in Santa Ana, Sonora.

There, I learned to play the guitar, and with what little we had, we did missionary work around the town of Santa Ana, Sonora, visiting ejidos and ranches. After living in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, and working in the surrounding Mayan villages and regions, I returned to Nogales to the First Baptist Church. After that, we served as a worship team in the worship movement that existed in the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s. After that, I left and started working in secular music, specifically in tourism development.

That’s how I arrived in Puerto Peñasco. After a while, my need for God became very strong. That need led me to the Family of God church, where I have served for almost 14 years, not only in music but also in other areas where support has been needed. Currently, I am working with the men’s group and the widows’ group at Family of God. The vision God has placed in my life is that music is only a tool and a vehicle to help people and believers draw closer to God’s presence, but the most important thing is to help men and families draw closer to God.

I became part of the Family of God in 2019, and I genuinely believe that God led me to this church. Since joining, my life has undergone a meaningful transformation.

These remarkable individuals in the special needs ministry have changed my view of life. I value the time I spend with them—learning, working, and enjoying even the smallest moments together.

I discovered the Family of God while walking home, where they were hosting a potluck Bible study. I first became involved by assisting with the special needs ministry.

While I was in jail, my roommate, an ex-Muslim, prompted me to reconsider my beliefs and shared the gospel with me.

I am the director of evangelism, outreach, and youth. I lead the Hungry Hearts feeding ministry Monday through Friday, serving more than 50 homeless people each day.

Ellen and her husband, Tab, arrived in Puerto Peñasco in 2004 for Tab to become the Pastor of Family of God Christian Fellowship. Almost immediately, Ellen began inviting Mexican families with children to attend the services and would do her best to translate what Tab was preaching for them. Within two years, she began a Sunday School Program for the Mexican children who came, with help from the young bilingual daughter of Flor Holguin (who is now the Children’s Ministry Co-Director with Ellen).

Ellen’s love for Jesus and her love for children have been her passion since she became a Mom in the mid-1980s. She has not only raised a child but also worked professionally at a Christian elementary school, served as an interpreter for deaf children in a public school, and taught Sunday School for over 25 years.

Tab has often referred to her as the Pied Piper because she is a magnet for children, and her love for children and her Spiritual Gift of Mercy are surely the catalysts.

In 2005, Flor volunteered at a Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser for local Peñasco youth scholarships, where she met Ellen Gray. Ellen mentioned her condo-cleaning business, and Flor asked to join. A few days later, Ellen offered her work, and their sisterly friendship began.

Ellen met Flor’s young daughter, Perla, and invited her to Sunday School at Family of God. Flor took her to church but just dropped her off. When gas prices rose, Flor waited outside in her car until Sunday School ended. Summer’s heat led Flor to help Ellen with the children to escape it, marking her faith journey.

God grabbed Flor’s heart, as did the children, and she and Ellen (along with Perla) laid the foundations of the children’s ministry here at Family of God / Familia de Dios.

For years, just the three of them had children of all ages, from babies to 12-year-olds, meeting in one room. Though the ministry changed many times, Flor stayed faithful in her walk with Jesus and her love for the children. We are blessed to have her serve the children at Family of God / Familia de Dios.

I am from Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, where I have lived most of my life. From a very young age I began hearing the Word of God. My mother used to take us to a Christian church called Nuevo Nacimiento, and I loved going there, especially during the summer Bible schools.

Over the years, God placed Familia de Dios Church in the lives of my parents, my children, and myself. My children were the first to start attending Familia de Dios. A few days later, they brought my parents, and shortly after that my father was baptized. That was when I also began attending. From that moment, I felt a deep desire to learn and know much more about the Word of God. I accepted Christ as my Savior, and I have now been part of the church for 12 years. During this time, I was baptized and also married through the church. I have four children, who are the greatest expression of God’s love in my life.

For many years I dreamed of serving in the children’s ministry. I always felt a strong desire to teach children about God, just as someone once taught me and helped me learn to love Him from a young age. I often prayed and asked God for the opportunity to serve with the children at my church. God heard my prayers and allowed me to serve with them for a time. Together we learned many wonderful things.

Later, I became part of the A Imagen de Dios ministry, which serves young people with special needs. I have been serving there for five years. During their activity days we do crafts together, and on Sundays in our classes I help with the craft that relates to the Bible story. These young people bring so much peace and love. Being able to serve them and share the Word of God with them is a great blessing that God has allowed me to experience.

I am a daughter of God who, by His grace, is here to share the testimony of what He has done in my life.

Growing up in a Christian household in Mexico City as the daughter of a pastor, I didn’t truly encounter God until I was 21. In 2018, my daughter Elsa and I moved to Puerto Peñasco, where we started attending the Family of God church.

In 2000, God enabled me to begin serving at the church as the office manager and to assist the pastors. I also serve as a Sunday school teacher. It is a great blessing to see and hear the children learn from God’s Word and praise God with all their hearts!

I became part of the Family of God church through my husband, Brian Lopez, who was already attending, so I started going as well.

I came to believe in Christ when I was about 23 years old. My husband introduced me to the gospel, and gradually I began to notice God’s influence in my life. The most significant change was that He entirely removed my depression.

I handle administrative tasks at Family of God and oversee Women’s Night, held on the last Monday of each month.

In 1999, I started attending the Family of God church after friends and family warmly invited me. Prior to joining, I had already accepted Jesus as my savior, having been evangelized by my husband and the brothers.

God has used me for His service in the areas of cleaning and children’s ministry, where He has taught me to be humble, tolerant, and patient. This is a difficult process, but not impossible for Him.

My house has served as a meeting place for Bible studies, helping to attract new believers for the honor and glory of God. For this, I am very grateful to God and to my brothers in Christ for all their love and support. Thank you!!

Uriel Ventura was born in Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz, and raised by his grandparents until age 15. He came to Puerto Peñasco as a teenager, where his mother introduced him to the Christian faith at the Family of God Church. At 17, during a youth conference at New Life Church in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, he surrendered his life to the Lord—a decision that would shape the direction of his family, ministry, and calling.

He married at 20 and is the proud father of two children, Diego, born in 2010, and Sofia, born in 2012. His heart for ministry began through service alongside his wife, who was invited to help in the children’s ministry in 2012. The following year, he volunteered, and by 2014 he joined the full-time staff at Family of God, serving as the church’s maintenance coordinator while also teaching Bible history to children.

In 2015, his ministry expanded when he began leading a group of more than 60 adolescents. Driven by a deep desire to reach young people for Christ, he also helped develop a soccer outreach ministry called Alcance, using sports as a bridge to share the love of God with teenagers in the community. He faithfully served in youth leadership for six years until the pandemic.

During this season, he continued preparing for ministry by studying online through IDEX, which offers non-accredited certificates with high-level instruction, to become a pastor for adolescents. His life and service reflect a passion for discipleship, faithfulness, and helping the next generation know and follow Jesus.