Affirmed for Ministry

Growing up, Maria Valdez Perez heard over and over that she would never amount to anything. Today, she serves as co-pastor of Emanuel Assembly in Poth, Texas, alongside her husband, Vicente, and is helping children navigate some of life's most difficult situations through books that point them to the hope of Christ.

Perez’s parents divorced when she was young. Her father repeatedly told her she shouldn't even try to go to college because she would never succeed. Her mother struggled with alcoholism and remarried multiple times, creating a chaotic environment for Perez and her siblings. As difficulties at home increased, Perez’s grades dropped to D's and F’s, seemingly confirming the expectations placed upon her.

Everything changed when she was 13. Members of a local Assemblies of God church invited Maria’s sister and brother-in-law to church, and Perez began attending with them. It was in that church, during Missionettes, now National Girls Ministries, that she heard for the very first time that God loved her, valued her, and had a purpose for her life. That was a turning point, not only in her heart, but in every aspect of her life. Stepping into a relationship with Christ changed the entire trajectory of Perez’s story. While nothing was different at home, she felt like her mind suddenly opened.

“It was nothing short of miraculous," Perez says. "My grades went from D's and F's to A's and B's. My very first A.”

Near the end of high school, while attending a discipleship retreat in East Texas, Perez sensed God calling her into ministry. That prompted her to attend Bible college, graduating summa cum laude, and then earning a master's degree in school counseling. In just a few short years, she went from failing and not being expected to attend college to graduating with highest honors and receiving a master’s degree. Perez credits it all to God’s grace and redemptive power in her life.

Although she sensed God's call to ministry, Perez stepped back from pursuing ministerial credentials after marrying her husband, who was also called into ministry. She was told by a leader in her life, at that time, that her ministry role was to serve as a pastor's wife. So, she faithfully supported her husband's ministry while serving students through the school system as a counselor.

Years later, after a difficult season led the couple away from their church, Perez says God reminded her of the call He had placed on her life. She resumed the credentialing process and found encouragement from Assemblies of God district leaders who affirmed that calling. Shortly after ordination, she was appointed as the girls ministry director and hired as the assistant pastor at Emmanuel Assembly. Eleven years later, she continues to see God expand her ministry opportunities as she now serves as a co-pastor, speaker, and published author.

Perez’s years as a school counselor, combined with her ministry training and experience, opened the door for her to speak into the lives of children in a unique way. As school lockdowns continued to be a part of everyday life for many children, Perez recognized that families needed biblical resources to help children process the fear and uncertainty they were experiencing. She wrote My Shepherd, My Protector, a children's book that walks through Psalm 23 in the context of a school lockdown. The response to this first book confirmed that there was a need for such resources.

Perez now has several more children’s books in development. Each of her books takes a topic that may be difficult for children to understand and presents it in an age-appropriate way while pointing readers to the hope found in Christ.

Looking back, Perez sees God's faithfulness in every season of her life. "The thing that I hope everyone knows," she says, "is that God can change the course of your environment. You are not your environment or what people tell you you're going to be. You don't have to be what your parents are. You are who God says you are."

Texas Louisiana Hispanic District Superintendent Jay Alfaro has seen that message extend beyond the walls of the church through Perez’s writing ministry.

“Literature is another avenue God can use to reach our community for Jesus,” Alfaro says. “We recognize Maria's ability to use her writing gifts to minister to the next generation.”

The little girl who was told she would never amount to anything now spends her life reminding children and families of the truth that changed her own heart — they are loved by God, and their circumstances do not define the future God has for them. 

Tara Zimmer

Tara Zimmer is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, writer, podcaster, speaker, and ministry consultant. She is the founder of Ministry Communications Co., helping churches and ministry leaders navigate the ever changing digital landscape. Tara holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Religion and Pastoral Counseling. Tara and her husband, Anthony, live in Ohio with their son.