Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Marquez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I moved to San Antonio, TX some 25 years ago from Albuquerque, NM. My sole intent was to plant a church (Calvary Chapel). The church plant started slow and there were some 10-12 years of working outside of the church to support myself. Eventually, however, I was able to go on staff full time and have been doing so for the past 12 years or so.
Our Fellowship (Grace Calvary Chapel) has also helped start a few other churches in the San Antonio area as well as in Mexico and the country of Abkhazia. The biggest lesson I learned was that of perseverance. Like Coach Popovich has said, “Keep hitting the rock and eventually it will break.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been anything but smooth. I figured that I would work outside of the church for maybe a year or so before being able to go full-time in the ministry. It took 10+ years to get to that point. There were numerous times when I wondered what in the world I was doing in San Antonio. I missed Albuquerque, the weather, the food, my extended family but all along God had a plan.
The struggles were that it took longer than expected. I learned that you must enjoy the process or you will quit. Like someone once said, “It’s always too early to quit.”
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the Senior Pastor of a fellowship (Grace Calvary Chapel) of about 200 adults + youth and children. I also am on the radio (KDRY-Am 1100) every weekday @ 5:00PM with a show entitled, (Word of Grace). More than anything I am grateful for the grace of God in my life. He took a man without purpose or direction and gave him both and so much more.
I am thankful that as a fellowship we have been able to help plant other churches. My goal is to continue to do that. Eventually, I will step down as Senior Pastor but I will always be “in the ministry” in one way or another. I hope to be able to continue to help other young pastors in their desire to serve God to the fullest!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Perseverance! Charles Spurgeon once said, “By perseverance, the snail reached the ark!” You have to keep going. Even when everything looks bad, you must believe that God is working in you for His glory. Don’t stop believing!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: gracecalvarychapel.org
