Our Mission
Abundant Life Church exists to reach the lost, teach holy doctrine and present the culture of Jesus to a diverse community with the goal that the community desires to be part of a new culture and experience the transformation needed in order to be a full citizen of heaven, providing a secure place where people can attend and worship God while giving love and hope through:
- Evangelism
- Discipleship
- Worship
- Missions
Locally, we serve Chapala, Ajijic, Riberas del Pilar, San Juan Cosalá and surrounding communities. And through our emphasis on missions, we serve communities throughout Mexico and around the world.
Our Story
Abundant Life Church began in 2003 in the home of a local believer who believed that God wanted to meet and transform the English speaking community in the lakeside area. Soon a local fish market was purchased and our current building was built through a joint venture with the Assemblies of God USA department of missions and the Assemblies of God México. The church began Spanish language ministry in 2006 when our current pastor, Gary Neighbor, came. Since then, the church has grown to include children´s, youth and adult ministries in both English and Spanish. The church currently has 2 daughter churches in different municipalities giving supervision and ministry. Abundant Life Church has a heart for the lost and is always included in the list of churches highlighted by the denomination for her giving to missions.
Pastor Gary Neighbor
Pastor Gary Neighbor was born in southern California USA and grew up in the northern part of the state where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Lori. Pastor Gary was called to minster in the Latin world when he was 9 years old and was a requirement for proposing marriage. After being married in 1988 he attended Vanguard University in southern California and graduating with his BA. Pastor Gary ministered in California, Colorado and Kansas before coming to Mexico to plant churches. After a few years, in 2006, he came to pastor Abundant Life Church with a new vision to minister to the entire community. Pastor Gary and his wife, Lori, have three children and three grandchildren.
Our Staff
Gary Neighbor
Senior Pastor
For we will surely die and are like water spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from him.
— 2 Samuel 14:14
Neto Fernandez
Worship Pastor
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
— Romans 8:38, 39
Blanca Santoyo
Children’s Pastor
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
— Luke 18:16
Mayra Garcia
Youth Pastor
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
— Joshua 1:8, 9