God is Working in Modesto
An interview with Church of the Cross’ New Pastor: Jonathan Reyes
Reverend Jon Reyes views his call to lead Church of the Cross, located in Modesto, CA, as a garden full of growth and promise, a testament of God’s faithfulness.
On September 22nd, 2024, the Reverend is set to be installed as the lead Pastor at Church of the Cross. In reflecting on the entirety of his journey from where he started to where he is today, Pastor Jon emphasized the presence of God’s hand in every step that led him to this new congregation.
“I am completely amazed at what god is doing.”
While Pastor Jon and his wife Mercy felt called to plant a church in Sacramento, CA, he was contacted by the board and leadership of the Grow Network to take on the role of Network Advocate Pastor at Church of the Cross. Starting in January of 2024, Pastor Jon began to preach at COC.
As he and his wife Mercy became increasingly involved in the church, they fell in love with its leadership and people. During his interview, Pastor Jon recounted the “eagerness” he saw in the people for growth in their church.
From left to right: Reverend Jon Reyes, Madi (eldest daughter), Spencer (youngest son), Mercy, and Adreanna (middle daughter)
Soon after he started preaching on Sundays, Pastor Jon and Mercy spearheaded both Bible studies and life groups. One of their first groups focused on studying the Book of Acts, as Pastor Jon felt the need to be “kingdom minded” as a church.
As Jon and Mercy became more involved in COC, he had an important realization: he couldn’t continue to plant a church in Sacramento and lead at COC. Knowing that there was a huge decision to be made, the couple began to pray and the elders of COC extended a call to Pastor Jon and Mercy.
“The spirit of God is moving.”
After fasting and praying, the couple felt called to make the move to Church of the Cross. The way God is working in the congregation has inspired awe in their hearts.
For a time, it was feared that COC would close, leaving its members without a church home. But since the Reyes’ have joined the church, there have been 3 baptisms in the last 6 months when, previously, there hadn’t been a baptism at the church in years. Over the last 4 months, 3 people have given their lives to Christ and the church has grown by 10 members.
When discussing the shift that has occurred at COC, Pastor Jon reflected not just on the new life being breathed into the congregation, but a new outlook within the leadership team as well. At their most recent meeting, the team agreed with certainty that God is working to give their church new life.
Pastor Jon and Mercy feel blessed that God is using them to revive what was once looked like infertile soil. He is grateful for the resilience of the staff that has remained faithful to the church in seasons of change and uncertainty.
“God has taken what the enemy meant to destroy and used it against him.”
How wonderful it is that God is using Pastor Jon and Mercy to shepherd this congregation into an era of joy and growth. He is indeed a God who turns infertile grounds into grounds of plenty, a God who turns graves into blooming gardens.
The Grow Network sends prayers and blessings to Pastor Jon and his wife Mercy as they continue to faithfully lead Church of the Cross. We look forward to seeing the many ways that God will work in this exciting new time for the congregation.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19 NIV