Our Pastoral Staff
Pastor Michael Torres
Assistant Pastor Lito Lucena
Lito spent early of his childhood in the Philippines. As part of the country’s culture he was raised going to Catholic Church and Catholic school; being groomed to be an altar boy. Deep inside he sensed that there was much more than just being part of a religious system. At the age of 13 Lito came to the United States, residing in Cerritos, California. The feeling of incompleteness intensely grew.
Lito quickly adjusted to the fast pace California lifestyle. He soon found himself involved in wild parties, clubs & punk rock scenes; only a temporary satisfaction that didn’t last. In the early 80’s his best friend began to share with him about the love of God. This “party” lifestyle continued for Lito through high school and well into college. Through it all, he could never shake what had been shared with him by his high school friend. As the seed of God’s word grew in him, Lito came to a point in his life where he could no longer deny his empty existence. He finally gave his life to Jesus on a park bench at Cerritos College.
By God’s amazing grace Lito was quickly being used in ministry. As a self taught musician, Lito has used this God given talent to lead the body in worship. Lito and his wife Melissa also head the college ministry, EXP. He challenges these young adults to know the Word of God by taking them through in depth studies of the Bible. His prayer is that they will serve God with their lives and not stumble down the same road he did.
Spanish Pastor Tony Alaniz
Tony was born in Valparaiso, Zacatecas, México where from an early age he was brought up in Catholicism and encouraged to hate others beliefs that was not Catholicism. Near his house was a Christian church and when they were having their services Tony would throw rocks to their roof to distract them from their service.
At the age of 17, Tony immigrated to the United States where he continued practicing this religion and praying the rosary every night. While working in construction, he met the woman who is now his wife. She asked him if he believed in God, he announced that he was Catholic and she told him she was a Christian. She invited him to church on Sunday, and he said yes, if you come with me to the Catholic Church next Sunday and she said yes.
After a while they fell in love and got married. Once married, Tony told his wife that he was Catholic and Catholic he was going to die and announced they would only be going to the Catholic Church, but she used wisdom and asked to continue visiting both churches for a while longer. In the Catholic Church they would read the day's program. In the Christian Church they would read the Bible (Isaiah 55:10-11). For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. She did not force Tony nor harassed him by telling him you have to accept Christ; instead she let the word of God do its job as it is written (1 Corinthians 7:13-14) And the woman which hath a husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
In December 1988, Tony gave his life to Jesus Christ and invited him into his heart as his Lord and Savior. He served in a Baptist Church for 13 years and in April 2002 he and his family began attending Calvary Chapel. From 2006-2008 he attended the School of Ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa where God prepared him and he now pastors the Spanish Ministry in Calvary Chapel Into The Light. Tony and his wife have four daughters, Elizabeth, Verónica, Rebecca and Natalie.