Date Founded: February 1962 Founding Pastor: Benjamin Bañuelos Current Pastor: Philimon Anaya Original Membership: 12 Members Original Location: Renting on Hill & Ash Street, Escondido CA 1961 - 1963 Benjamin Bañuelos and by Roberto Ramirez, were commissioned by the Apostolic Assembly of Solana Beach to evangelize the city of Escondido. Apolino Puerta was the first person to open his house for Home Worship Services. Other families began attending these Home Services, giving form to the church of Escondido. 1964 - 1966 Salvador Herrera was appointed Officiating Pastor for the work in Escondido. Pastor Herrera moved the services (which were held at Brother Puerta's home) to the house he was renting on 8th and Orange Street. 1967 A group of families voted to move their services to the Veterans Hall located at the corner of 10th and Escondido Blvd. As the church continued to extend itself into the community; they felt the need to have a more stable place of worship. 1968 The brethren voted to purchase a home on Bear Valley Parkway. A two thousand dollar down payment was needed to purchase this home. They moved by faith, believing God was with them in purchasing the home. 1969 The congregation, consisting of six families was still searching for a more established place of worship. They were informed that a Methodist Church on the Corner of Escondido Blvd and Lincoln Ave. was for sale. Again moved by faith, believing God was with them, they voted to sell their house and put the equity as a down payment on the church. The purchasing price was $35,000; they were able to put $5,000 down, leaving a monthly payment of $330. 1970 - 1988 The Apostolic Church in Escondido (now established 28 years) had several Pastors, some pastoring a few months, and others pastoring a few years. Through this time, a core group of members was holding firm on the promises of God that He would do something great in Escondido. 1988 - 1989 Philimon Anaya an experienced pastor was given the responsibility to oversee the Escondido Church. Pastor Anaya began to minister a group of about 45 members. The first thing God led Pastor Anaya to do was to repair the church. Pastor Anaya was working at Talone Meat Packing Co. at the time, and would only take a salary of $200.00 a month. Other income went toward repairing the church. Within two years, the congregation began to grow as Pastor Anaya instilled evangelism into the brethren. 1990 Pastor Anaya completely dedicated his time to full time ministry. The church voted to purchase the adjacent house behind the church for a church parsonage. 1991 - 1993 The church grew to a membership of over 100. The church's main priorities were Evangelism and Discipleship. 1994 As our congregation continued to grow, our Pastor saw a need in our children and opened the Academy in the fall of 1994. The Academy started with an enrollment of 45 students. 1995 - 2001 Pastor Anaya sent our first church sponsored missionary, Bro. Joaquin Ortega to Salina Cruz, Oaxaca Mexico. 1997 - 2002 Under the leadership of Pastor Anaya, the Escondido Church has been able to purchase three additional properties. Our congregation is now over 500 members, making the Escondido Apostolic Church one of largest evangelical churches in the city of San Diego!!. 2002 Currently our Academy enrollment is 130 students. We are sponsoring eight full time Pastors in the mission fields of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Michoacan Mexico.   2003 2004 2005