Leadership
Pastors & Staff
Meet the pastors and ministry leaders serving I AM Church, a non-denominational Christian church in Northeast El Paso, Texas.
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 4 kids together.
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, Treasurer, and Tech Ministry Lead. 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.
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.