Leadership

Pastors & Staff

Isaac Portillo

Head Pastor

Isaac Portillo has been a pastor for fifteen years, and we are grateful to have him as our pastor here at I AM Church since 2018. After feeling called to the ministry in high school, he chose to pursue it and earned a theology degree from Howard Payne University. He first worked as a Youth Pastor and then as an Associate Pastor before feeling the call to plant a church. In January of 2018, he founded I Am Church and began assembling a small team to help with the church's launch. Pastor Isaac has three wonderful children named Jacob, Hayley, and Kate.

Tony Martinez

Associate Pastor

At I AM Church, Antonio Martinez is our associate and small group pastor. He was a member of the group that established and founded the church in 2018. Tony now oversees small groups and serves as a pastor. He is devoted to God and enjoys serving others. He is married with three wonderful children.

Danny Portillo

Associate Pastor

Danny has been serving the Lord in many lay positions in different churches since 1984. He and his wife Elsa planted a church in Oklahoma early in his marriage. Daniel has also served as a deacon and teacher in recent years. When his son Pastor Isaac felt the call to open a church he felt led to serve and follow. Daniel and Elsa have been married for over 35 years and they have five children: Isaac,  Jessica, and Isaiah. They also have four wonderful grand children: Jacob, Hayley, Kate, and Liam. 

Jessica Tencza

Worship lead

Jessica Tencza is one of the worship leaders here at I AM Church. God has gifted her with the talent to sing, play piano, and guitar for him. She loves to worship God alongside her husband Jonathan who is part of the worship team. She has a son named Liam.

Michael Suarez

Worship lead

Michael Suarez is one of the worship leaders here at I AM Church. God has gifted him with the talent to sing, play piano, guitar, bass, and drums for him. He loves God with all his heart. He is married to Denise and they have many  kids together. 

Adam and Karina Pierce

Children's leads

Adam and Karina serve as the children ministry leaders here at I AM. They are amazing with kids. They love to dance and sing and make childrens church a fun and engaging time to learn about Jesus and how much God loves us.  Adam is a teacher for the El Paso Independent School District at the Sylva Magnet school and Karina is a Therapist for a local clinic. 

David Hohnholt

Tech team lead

David has been a teacher in the El Paso Independent School Districts for many years. He and his family were among the first to attend I AM Church. Since then, he has taken on the role as an elder and leading the church's tech crew. This includes streaming, audio, and visuals for all church services. He is married to his wife, Marlana, and they have two wonderful daughters, Lauren and Vivian.

Jesse Ward

Youth Minister

The youngest of six kids, Jesse grew up in a Godly home. At 17,  Jesse was baptized by his Youth Pastor Isaac.
When Pastor Isaac was lead to found his own Church,  Jesse joined the leadership team.
In January 2024,  Jesse answered the call to become a Youth Minister at I Am.
Jesse has always had a passion for Youth Ministry and Worship where he also serves at I Am.