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Our Leaders

PASTOR FUEGO AND TIFFANY PADILLA

Pastors Fuego (Hector) and Tiffany Padilla are the Campus Pastors of Patria Church Alameda, CA. They’re passionate about helping people encounter the life-changing love of Jesus, building authentic community in this island, and fighting for the unseen. They believe in the next generation and value the wisdom and guidance of those that have gone before us. They’ve been married since 2016 and have three beautiful children.

All About The Next Generation

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PATRIA ALAMEDA FAQ

Patria and Encore Church are thrilled to share that we are coming together as one spiritual family and launching Patria Alameda December 22, 2024!
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For the past three years, Encore Church has been dedicated to building a vibrant, multicultural, and multigenerational community in Alameda, with a strong focus on evangelism, discipleship, and local outreach. Through this journey, we discovered a shared mission and vision with Patria Church, making this transition to become Patria Alameda a natural and exciting next step.
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As Patria Alameda, we’ll join forces with a church family the same heart for serving and reaching the community. Together, we will carry forward the impactful ministry Encore has established while gaining access to Patria’s extensive resources, leadership development, and global outreach programs. This partnership allows us to expand our reach, strengthen our ministries, and unite under one vision.

Patria was formerly known as Abundant Living Family Church.  We changed our name at our 30 year anniversary April 2024. Patria means ‘family’ in Greek.

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about this transition, what it means for you, and the exciting opportunities ahead. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey with us!

VISION & Values

What is your vision for Patria and Encore merging together?  What goals or outcomes do you hope to achieve for both congregations?

Our vision for this merger is to unite Encore and Patria as one spiritual family, with Encore transitioning to a Patria campus. We aim to embody the unified vision of Patria: to Seek the Lost, Teach the Found, and Send the Disciples, contextualizing this vision for each city/region we serve. Learn More
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The goals of this merger are to enhance our kingdom impact in Alameda and to provide the spiritual covering that Pastors Fuego and Tiffany have sought for their family and the community they disciple. Together, we will work to strengthen our outreach and deepen our discipleship efforts, creating a vibrant community of faith.

How will the unique culture of Encore be integrated or preserved?  What elements of the Encore’s culture, mission, worship style, or values will remain?

Over the past two years, Patria leadership and Pastors Fuego and Tiffany have recognized that Encore and Patria share aligned culture and values. Therefore, the integration will be more practical than cultural, as we essentially embody the same values. Our primary focus is to come together as one church, united in vision and mission.

How do you see the two congregations enhancing each other’s strengths?

With the transition to one congregation united in vision across campuses, the strengths recognized of both Encore and Patria will be further enhanced. For three years, Encore Church has built a multicultural and multigenerational community focused on evangelism, discipleship, and outreach. Patria shares these strengths, and by coming together, we will amplify our impact, broaden our reach, and create even more opportunities for ministry and community engagement. This will enable us to serve our communities more effectively and fulfill our shared mission.

LEADERSHIP & DECISION MAKING

What role will the core leaders of Encore have after the merger?  How are they integrated in Patria’s current organizational structure?

The core leadership team that was established at Encore with Pastors Fuego and Tiffany will remain intact. Each Patria campus has its own core team of leaders who will oversee their respective ministries and support the campus pastors in contextualizing Patria's vision for the city they serve.

Additionally, Patria Church has a Headquarters staff ministry team in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, which provides ongoing support, development, and training to all campus leadership teams as needed. We utilize Slack as our primary tool for cross-campus communication and collaboration, ensuring that all leaders are integrated into the current organizational structure and working together effectively.

How will the decision-making process change or be shared between both congregations?

The decision-making process will primarily be led by Pastors Fuego and Tiffany, who will serve as the primary decision-makers and communicators for Patria Alameda. They will ensure that all decisions align with Patria’s vision and goals. While they will take into account input from the core leadership team and campus members, the focus will be on maintaining a unified approach that reflects our shared mission across all campuses.

What approach will you take to maintain transparency and so you involve both congregations in major decisions?

Transparency is a demonstrated value at Patria. Pastors Fuego and Tiffany will be actively involved in day-to-day ministry operations, influencing how Patria's vision and initiatives are contextualized in Alameda and beyond. As major decisions are made, they will be communicated through our leadership teams, ensuring timely updates are shared with their respective teams. This approach fosters involvement and keeps both congregations informed and engaged in the decision-making process.

PRACTICAL Integration

What changes, if any, should Encore members expect?  Will there be changes in worship styles, service times, or outreach initiatives?

No plans at this time to change worship styles, service times or outreach initiatives.  
Some practical changes will include:
A change in the church name from Encore to Patria.
Spiritual covering for Pastors Fuego and Tiffany, and allowing them more bandwidth to pastor and engage with their community.
Access to all of Patria's spiritual formation resources and curriculums.
The opportunity to come together as one spiritual family.
A blend of live and video preaching from the the Campus Pastor & the  Patria teaching team.

How do you plan to integrate the ministries and programs of both congregations?

There are no plans to discontinue any ministry programs that were established by Encore Church.

The integration of ministries and programs from will be seamless, as each Patria campus will have access to all Patria ministries and programs to effectively reach their community in context. Additionally, each campus pastor will have the opportunity to articulate and implement their strategy for contextualizing Patria’s vision and mission in unique ways that resonate with the community they serve.

COMMUNITY IMPACT & GROWTH

How do you plan to support the growth and spiritual development of Encore’s congregation members?

All Patria resources for growth and spiritual development are accessible to all our campuses.  All tools, programs, counseling, and curriculum are integrated to each campus within their context.
Faith Journey
Care and Counseling
Resources

What is the long-term vision for community outreach or service?  How do you envision both congregations impacting the broader community together?

The long-term vision for community outreach and service at Patria encompasses both local and global initiatives. Patria has established thriving outreach programs, including prison ministry, mission trips, orphanages, and efforts to rescue children from human trafficking.  Patria’s global reach extends to Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, Uganda, the Philippines, Nepal, Nigeria, and Mali.
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Encore established strong local community outreach and service that will continue.  With transition to Patria, outreach will be immediately expanded with all campus programs such as:
'Family to Family’ - Thanksgiving Food Distribution
'Gifts from the Heart’ - Christmas gifts for kids & youth

What strategies do you have in place for welcoming and supporting new members from different backgrounds?

At Patria, we prioritize creating a welcoming environment for new members from all backgrounds. Our approach includes intentional multicultural and multigenerational representation, which is evident in our leadership team. We have diverse voices that actively contribute to our vision, ensuring each community and context is heard. This emphasis on diversity has been foundational to our identity as a church over the past 30 years.
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We also offer our sermon content for our Spanish speaking community.

COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT

How will you communicate plans and updates to both congregations throughout the transition?

To ensure clear communication throughout the transition, we at Patria follow a structured approach led by our campus pastors. As a unified church, our updates and plans will be primarily shared through the leadership structure, with campus pastors taking the lead on communicating directly with their respective leaders and members. This allows for consistent, clear information tailored to each campus while maintaining alignment across the church as a whole.

What strategies will be in place to address concerns, suggestions, and feedback from members?

At Patria, we’re committed to creating open channels for members to share their concerns, suggestions, and feedback. Each campus will have designated times where members can engage directly with campus pastors and leadership teams, ensuring accessibility and responsiveness.  Additionally, our Patria Headquarters leadership team will regularly review and discuss member feedback, enabling us to address any concerns promptly and transparently. This structure ensures that all voices are valued and that we adapt in ways that truly support our campuses.

LONG-TERM PLANS

What does success look like to you five years from now for this newly unified congregation?

We envision Patria Alameda as a thriving hub for worship, community, and impact.  Here are a few areas of focus:  
1.  Ownership of a Dedicated Space: Owning a facility that houses not only our worship services but also a coffee shop and co-op workspace that fosters community connections and supports local business.
2.  Next-Generation Focused Ministries: Expanding kids and youth programs to engage and nurture young people, ensuring they grow in faith and leadership within the church.
3. Financial Independence: Achieving a self-sustained campus with the resources to execute our vision and operate independently.
4.  Community Impact and Outreach: Growing our community outreach initiatives, building partnerships, and making a tangible difference locally.
5.  Spiritual Growth and Discipleship: Deepening the spiritual formation of our members through discipleship programs, small groups, and personal growth opportunities that strengthen their faith.
6.  Leadership Development: Equipping and empowering new leaders to serve in the church and beyond, creating a robust ministry team ready to support and expand our mission

What strategies are in place for keeping both congregations engaged in the long term?

To keep our campuses engaged and unified long-term, Patria will rely on strong leadership from campus pastors, a shared vision, campus-specific ministries, clear communication, and joint events. The Alameda campus will also receive a hybrid of live & video messages from the Campus Pastor and Patria preaching team for a connected experience across all campuses.  This approach ensures members feel connected, valued, and invested across all locations.

Are there plans for leadership development or succession to ensure continuity?

Yes, at Patria, we are dedicated to leadership development and succession planning to ensure continuity within our congregation. We prioritize nurturing the next generation of leaders through mentoring, training programs, and hands-on ministry opportunities, preparing them to step into leadership roles seamlessly.
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Our initiatives include a partnership with Life Pacific University, a Pastoral Residency program, and the Patria Network. Additionally, we are launching the Patria Leadership PATHway, reflecting our passion for educating, equipping, and empowering future leaders for sustained growth and impact in our community.

FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

How will finances and resources be managed post-merger?  Will each congregation have its own budget, or will funds be combined?

Post-merger, finances for all campuses will be managed by our Patria Headquarters Finance team in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Funds will be combined to create a unified budget, with each campus having its own annual budget allocated from this combined pool. This structure allows for coordinated financial planning and resource management while ensuring that the specific needs of each campus are met.

What steps are being taken to ensure transparency and accountability with finances?

To ensure transparency and accountability with finances, Patria provides an annual financial review every Vision Sunday in November. Additionally, our Headquarters Finance team provides oversight, and we conduct annual audits to ensure financial integrity. Overall, our financial practices are accountable to a governing board, reinforcing our commitment to transparency in all financial matters.

What should Encore’s members expect regarding membership and contributions?

Encore’s members can expect a seamless transition regarding membership and contributions. Similar to Encore’s "Dreamworks," Patria offers a 3-week class called “Grow Track” as our primary onboarding process for new members who want to join the Patria family. Contribution methods will remain the same, just under the new name of the church.

For any additional questions, please email us at alameda@patria.church
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INFO@ALF.CHURCH    •    (909) 987-7110   •  10900 CIVIC CENTER DR, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730