A New Place to Worship

A San Jose-based church recently announced its expansion to
Morgan Hill.
 
A San Jose-based church recently announced its expansion to Morgan Hill. Speaking at a 10-year anniversary celebration in the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center earlier this month, pastors George and Rosie Guerrero told the assembled guests that on Jan. 6 they will begin holding weekly worship services at 6pm Sundays in the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey St. in Morgan Hill.

In May, the pastors announced plans to purchase the old St. Catherine’s Hall on East Dunne Avenue and their intention to move their ministry there. However, the financing fell through, and Family Freedom Worship Center has continued worshiping at its Evergreen location. (Sunday morning services will continue to be held there for the time being.)

Ten years ago, pastor George Guerrero and his co-pastor and wife, Rosie, opened a church in San Jose, and they established several successful ministries while working out of rented facilities.

Three years ago, they moved their residence to Morgan Hill and decided to move their church there, too. “Being residents of Morgan Hill, we have been blessed by the unity and bond this town has as a whole,” George said. “It has been our spirit to own a church for people of all walks of life to call home and a place for refuge in the times of trouble.”

George has been a San Jose firefighter for the past 15 years. During this time he has witnessed many human tragedies: suicides, elderly illnesses due to loneliness, marriages and families torn apart by hatred.

After seeing the misfortunes he would talk to Rosie, and the two would pray together for the affected people. Their hope is that their church can offer a solution for such problems here in South County.    

Already the couple has formulated goals for the church when it becomes fully established  in Morgan Hill. Some of those hopes are:

n beginning a youth program so teens have a safe place to go and feel welcome, including an after-school homework center;

n continuing a successful ministry called Golden Street Hip Hop Ministries, a Christian dance group;

n holding monthly evening events for senior citizens, enabling them to get out of their homes to socialize.

A native of San Jose, George felt a call to the ministry after he had already begun his career with the fire department. He has studied at several schools and received a degree from Sierra Bible College. He was ordained as an associate pastor at Vision Christian Center five years before founding his own church.   

Because of George’s schedule as a professional firefighter, his wife has been an essential part of the ministry. As co-pastor, Rosie carries out the ministerial duties when George is unavailable. 

In speaking about his unusual set of careers, George said,  “I put fires out, but I also start them as a spiritual arsonist.” 

For more information about the church, call (408) 710-6925.