Pastor ready to lead a growing congregation
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Reggie and Mary Mercado and their three children

Under the leadership of Pastors Reggie and Mary Mercado, the Fountain Foursquare Church congregation in Moorpark is growing and reaching out to the community in a practical manner.

In that the last four years, there have been two Foursquare Churches in Moorpark, each catering to a small group of believers. Now the two church families are uniting into one, said Reggie Mercado, senior pastor of the newly expanded Fountain Foursquare Church.

The Foursquare faith is biblebased and centered around Christ. Church members want to be a blessing to the community. They seek to get closer to God through worship, and aspire to forge strong relationships amongst themselves and the community at large, Mercado said.

Harvest Foursquare church was established here 77 years ago. It was most recently led by Pastor Rick Sherman and his wife Laurie who moved to start another church in Washington State this summer.

Fountain was established in 2003 as an offshoot of The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, which is headed by Pastor Jack Hayford, a popular foursquare evangelist who is known worldwide.

"The Fountain's commitment to be a 'praying church' has allowed us to experience powerful breakthroughs in the areas of evangelism and healing. The church is young but growing church and anticipates great growth for the future, Mercado said.

They hosts regular familyoriented events and the congregation recently formed a graffiti removal group to help residents whose homes have been tagged by vandals.

Mercado, who grew up in a Christian home in Glendale, Calif., felt called to become a preacher when he was still a very young man.

After he graduated from high School, Mercado went to work as a janitor at Church on the Way in Van Nuys. Under the mentorship of Hayford, Mercado became an assistant youth pastor and he was eventually promoted to serve as the Senior High Youth Pastor.

Mercado spent much time watching, listening and learning for Hayford. "He is my spiritual "daddy" and a man that I admire greatly," he said.

Now that Mercado leads his own church, he enjoys seeing people's lives change as they grow and mature in their faith. Seeing people work for God and being used by Him to better their world, "is beyond satisfying and keeps me doing what I do," he said.

"I love people, believe in them, and know that God has great plans for every person. I have the best job on planet earth. I get to partner with God to see His purpose fulfilled in a human heart that ultimately has eternal consequences," Mercado said.

Being a pastor is not always an easy task, said Mercado. Sometimes all a spiritual leader can do is weep as he helps people during tragic times. "It reminds me that life is so special and sweet and brings a fresh perspective on what's important in life," he said.

Mercado and his wife have three young children and they work as a team. "I couldn't do what I do without my beautiful bride. She is my greatest cheerleader, my strongest support, my confidant, and best friend," he said.

They both sensed God's call on their lives to begin a new work in the city of Moorpark and with a team of 10 people, they opened Fountain Foursquare in Moorpark where the church "has enjoyed a wild and fulfilling adventure ever since," said Mercado.