Jisela Salinas

Jisela’s transformative journey began in 2008, during a pivotal moment in her life and marriage. Feeling powerless to mend her relationship, she sarcastically challenged God to intervene, doubting any change would come. However, she took a leap of faith and attended her first Wednesday night service at Center Church, just five minutes from her home. As the pastor spoke about marriages, Jisela felt a profound connection.

This experience led her to Celebrate Recovery, where she initially felt out of place, believing it wasn’t for her since she didn’t struggle with substance abuse. Through Celebrate Recovery and church services, Jisela discovered her own brokenness and deep need for a Savior. This revelation shifted her focus from her spouse’s shortcomings to her own journey of healing and freedom. With trust in God’s power and grace, Jisela and her husband, Juan, were baptized and married on January 31, 2010. They are blessed with three children: Jazlynn, JJ, and Josiah.

Jisela has been dedicated to serving the Lord ever since, starting at Center Church in Pharr, TX, where she and Juan actively contributed to Celebrate Recovery, the Foodbank, outreach events, and various community engagements for 13 years. In 2021, guided by faith, they relocated to Brownsville, TX, leaving behind everything familiar to join the BCF Staff and follow God’s call.

In August 2021, Jisela took on the role of Celebrate Recovery Assistant, working alongside her husband, who serves as the Celebrate Recovery Pastor. Her favorite verse, Proverbs 3:5 (NLT), encapsulates her approach to life: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Jisela hopes that everyone embraces their own recovery journey, recognizing that recovery is not merely a season but a lifestyle.

Reflecting on her journey, Jisela shares, “Left unto myself, I am easily capable of going back to my old way of living. Working on my recovery daily reminds me to put into practice all the steps I’ve learned, which is the Word of God in action, keeping me connected to Jesus and accountable to my church family.”

In her free time, Jisela enjoys spending moments with her family, reading, going on walks, and immersing herself in nature. She finds gratitude in nature, marveling at the Creator of the universe who made it all.

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