Biography of Pastor Charles Alonso:      The whole story is kind of long -here is a short version.      I was born in Cuba; lived in South FL from 1962-1986, and moved to Spruce Pine, NC on April 15, 1986. After years at Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC I married a NC teacher, Lajeana, and started working as a Spanish/Social Studies teacher/translator in Mitchell County in 1989. We have three beautiful daughters: Anneliese (16), Chariese (14), and Janiese (10), and a dog, Tonky.      My wife and I are professionals in both English and Spanish. I have written many short Bible studies in Spanish. In 2003, I was the editor and translator of the 480 pg. book "The Best of Bible Pathway" for Bible Pathway Ministries International (www.biblepathway.org).      We started our mission work about 20 years ago (on 25 acres abutting the North Toe River) among the migrant field-workers. This is where we now have "The Wilderness Hispanic Mission" outside of Spruce Pine on the Mitchell/Avery County line. We were able to build our church right next to our property and have all kinds of activities down by the river.

Many Hispanic families find themselves in “The Wilderness” of their lives as they struggle to fit in and to adjust to the American culture       In this, God has sent the mission field right to our front door. Therefore, it is our heart’s desire to teach, mentor, train, and to equip our families – not only to live righteously and godly in this present world - and not only to become good law-abiding citizens of our society (Romans 13:1-8), but also to be “partakers of the heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:1). Our daily prayer is for everyone to have a good and godly day, as Dr. Woodrow Kroll always says: “For of what lasting value is a good day if it is not also a godly day.”      Titus 2:11-15 says: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…”  In Leviticus 19:34, the Scriptures exhort us this way: “But the stranger (foreigner) who dwells with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself… I am the Lord your God.” In the New Testament, our Lord commands us not only to love our neighbors but also our enemies: “For if you (only) love them who love you - What reward do you have?” (Matthew 5:40-48). Even though the Hispanic families are not “our enemies” – at times, many of us feel threatened by those from other cultures.      The best way to understand and be able to give a good answer to all of these situations is to follow the example of Ruth and Naomi. This is the way God wants things done: When the strangers (foreigners) among you are willing to give up their idols and their evil beliefs and deeds, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their only Savior and God, saying unto you (Ruth 1:16): “Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following you: for wherever you go, I will go; and where you live, I will live; your people shall be my people, and your God my God…” then, as believers, it is our calling to treat them as brothers and sisters in the Lord. You will always find and see “the good, the bad, and the ugly” in every culture, but to the wicked and evil, we will “speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15).      As true believers: “We know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Therefore: “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing (educating) those who oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (Jesus Christ); and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil…” II (Timothy 2:24-26).      “The Wilderness Mission” is looking unto our Lord to have our own church building and training center where we can do all we have said above. “For the love of Christ constrains us” and moves us to go, to reach out and "to teach all nations (making disciples), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I (Jesus Christ) have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (II Corinthians 5:14 and Matthew 28:18-20).

“Making disciples” includes all of the following: bringing others to hear and believe the gospel of our salvation, edifying them, teaching and equipping them, and training them, both the young and the aged, in the work of our Lord. The Lord’s 2:2:2 principle: “And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2). This we will continue to do as we have done in the past.      A few years ago, our ministry was instrumental in establishing a Hispanic Mission in Yancey County. Last year four of our most mature families were able to start another Hispanic Mission in Marion under our care, and presently we are helping a new mission in North Asheville. Many of us still meet also during the week for Bible study.      Because of generous hearts, and the sacrificial tithes and offerings from our Hispanic families, we have purchased 8 acres of land in Mitchell County, just one mile from 19E, near the Avery-Mitchell line. Where we were able to build “The Wilderness Church and Training Center”.      Please, continue to pray and support our efforts: “For we are His (truly God’s) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). All of your gifts are tax-deductible. Because God has called us and is sending us into this mission field, we are now partakers of this “heavenly vision.” One day we will all be able to stand before our Lord and say (together with the apostle Paul) that God gave us our “marching orders” and that we were not disobedient unto “the heavenly vision.” The apostle Paul expressed our feelings best when he explained it all to king Agrippa this way: God sent me “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto (the power of) God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in (Jesus Christ). Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:17-19).      May we continue to join our hearts together in order to bring this “heavenly vision” to pass. In His service, because of His great love, Pastor Charles Alonso - Ephesians 2:10 “THE WILDERNESS HISPANIC MISSION” P.O. Box 132, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 Pastor Charles Alonso - (828) 765-1066 / 775-0009