Alberto Lopez [children's ministry intern]

Born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, Alberto and family soon moved to the U.S. to the city of Philadelphia Pa. where his parents raised him to the best of their knowledge although they did not have their own parents to raise them. At a very young age they had to begin to work and take care of their siblings.

At a young age Alberto met a lady named Miss Virginia who was running a Sidewalk Sunday School during the week in the summer. She had a huge impact on his life as Alberto began going to church. His family didn’t have much of a foundation with God and he soon started getting advice from the streets. At the age of 14 he began getting involved in drugs and caused a lot of static with his family. As things got ugly he started seeking help from some addiction programs, but could not find one that would open the doors for him. Eventually he ended up going into a Christian program called Soldiers of the Lord, which also opened the door for him to go to Teen Challenge Training Center in Pennsylvania where he studied the word and did an internship for three years working in the print shop as a binding steward. After graduation, he took a position as a house supervisor at Shepard House Ministries in North Philly as he started teaching and overseeing the students.

Alberto soon found a home church called Inner City Missions/Urban Worship Center and as he started to get more committed he took on the position of Outreach coordinator as he was helping the homeless, substance users and also doing a side walk Sunday school. Through a series of events Alberto had a relapse into abusing drugs that broke up his marriage. He moved to Florida with his sister to get refocused with God and begin to heal. Alberto called Crossover in 2002 and talked with Tommy about Flavor Fest, which he soon attended and loved. Two years later he started coming to Crossover Church and recommitted his life to Christ and then became a member and a volunteer. In 2005 as he joined the kidz ministry team and in 2006 Alberto made a commitment with God to do full time ministry. Today he is as a full time intern helping in children’s ministry teaching, preparing lesson plans for Sundays, and raising funds and sponsors for the toy program. Alberto lives in the intern house and assists in several ways around the campus.

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