Rev. John Mazariegos, highly respected FMI missionary and pastor, went to be with the Lord on June 3, 2024, at the age of 69.
LPU President Dr. Angie Richey ’97 shares, “There was nobody like John. No one made you feel as loved, seen, and celebrated like him. He was a leader of leaders, and we are grateful to have known him. We are thankful for his leadership as an alumnus and for his investment as a Dean of Students of LIFE Bible College East. He will always be remembered for his joy, laughter, and spirit-filled life. We will miss him forever.”
Together with his wife, Robin, John served as a missionary worker, pastor and church planter in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, for over 25 years. During their ministry, they planted 20 churches and discipled and trained numerous leaders. John received his call to the mission field during a short-term construction trip to Mexico.
After realizing his need for additional training, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies in 1988 from LIFE Bible College (now Life Pacific University) and then went on to earn his Master of Divinity from Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary.
Before returning to Mexico, John served in the early 1990’s at the historic campus Life Bible College East (now the site of Life Pacific University – Virginia) as the Dean of Students under then president, Dr. Sterling Brackett ’74. John later served on the Foursquare board of directors.
Dr. Glenn Burris, Jr. ’76, former Foursquare president, expresses, “Our hearts go out to Robin and their family. They have ministered in Mexico for 25 years, and pastor a strong church!! He is loved by so many people. We’ve had dozens and dozens of conversations about life and ministry. He was passionate, bold, and a missionary at heart. He’s one of the most vibrant leaders I have ever known. So miss him! Praying for John Mazariegos’s family!”
“Pastor John taught me so much about so much!!” Rev. Chanda Crutcher, Foursquare Atlantic District Supervisor, recalls meeting Pastor John. “I was introduced to him as a Missionary from Mexico about two decades ago. He soon became ‘Uncle John,’Showing up in most of the moments that mattered. Pastor John believed that Ministry happened at the speed of life and encouraged me to attend Life Pacific, become a licensed minister, and then prayed with me through the Ordination process. When I became the Foursquare Atlantic District Supervisor, Pastor John coached and Uncle John encouraged me in invaluable ways. I’ll Live Life Different because he Lived Life on Purpose!”
As the Dean of Students in the Life Bible College East 1993 yearbook, Pastor John gave this charge to young scholars: “Probably the most burning concern in my heart is how our Lord Jesus Christ is portrayed today in the church, and how this portrayal affects the way we minister the Gospel. My charge to you, my dearest students, is to get a hold of the Lord of the Bible. Do not buy into the ‘user-friendly’ Jesus that is preached today. Happiness in life is not the goal of our existence, but that Jesus Christ be obeyed and honored. Consumerism and marketing techniques dominate the day. Let your ministry be like that of the weeping prophet, that great prophet Jeremiah. His heart broke because God was misrepresented. Set your face to know the true Jesus, who can only be found in the Scriptures, and preach that Jesus with all your guts!” His own words are perhaps the strongest illustration of the passion and purposeful life of Rev. John Mazariegos, a man fully devoted to following Jesus, and fully invested in teaching others to do the same.
John is survived by his wife Robin Mazariegos, their six children and their grandchildren, as well countless other friends and family who considered him a pastor, father, uncle, brother, and friend.
A stateside memorial service is planned to honor Rev. John Mazariegos on August 3, 2024, at Angelus Temple Hispanic Foursquare Church in Los Angeles, CA. A link is shared in advance for all who wish to honor Pastor John’s life and legacy.
*This article borrows from various social media posts and comments.
