Diego & Ana Turcios

Abundant Church, Alton, Illinois

In Alton, Illinois, HC Alumni Diego and Ana Turcios have been shepherding a united body of believers at Abundant Church—a place that, through every season, keeps Jesus at the center. Led to their positions as Young Adults & Outreach Pastor and Children’s Pastor, Diego and Ana can testify that who you do ministry with significantly impacts how you experience ministry.

“When we met our church leadership and church family, we knew this was the kind of culture and environment we wanted to be planted in,” Ana shared. “Spending time with God and other believers has strengthened our faith and fueled our passion to reach more people so they can experience God’s love and grace, too.”

Diego and Ana credit Highlands College for helping them grow in practical pastoral care—helping them learn how to love and support people well while ultimately pointing them to Jesus. Together, they’ve found purpose in a church dedicated to the same vision.

Pastor Diego Turcios baptizes a young adult at Abundant Church.

“Our church is redeeming culture and leadership,” they exclaimed. “We’re building a house for those who have been hurt, pushed away, or lost, where they can find home, healing, and biblical guidance.”

With Diego as the Young Adults & Outreach Pastor, the new young adults and outreach ministries have launched successfully. Young adults can now be pastored, guided, and ministered to in ways specific to their season of life, and senior adults have renewed purpose in the church by serving with the outreach ministry.

Abundant Church has further reached and brought the lost to Jesus by connecting with local businesses and city leadership, analyzing community needs, and finding practical ways to meet those needs.

The fruit of this work is clear—in just over two years:

• Abundant Church’s congregation has doubled to around 600 people.
• Youth Ministry has grown from five students to more than 50 each week.
• Since launching the Young Adults’ Ministry, 20 young adults regularly attend weekly gatherings.
• Since launching Outreach Ministry, more than 60 people have been fed.
• The Church has celebrated nearly 280 salvations.
• At least one person has responded to Jesus by salvation every single Sunday.

Diego and Ana learned flexibility and confidence to rely on God for every word and movement at Highlands College, helping shape their current ministry efforts. “When outside forces intervene, we’re willing to pivot—making sure that the name of Jesus stays on display no matter what,” Diego shared.

“There’s nothing more powerful than seeing people encounter God and grow in a real relationship with Him,” Ana said. “He continues to amaze us and teach us something new every day!”

Diego and Ana encourage those in ministry to remember who they’re doing ministry for. “Don’t give up. Keep showing up and keep putting God first. That’s the most impactful principle we’ve applied from Highlands College—if you don’t quit, you win,” they shared. “So even when it doesn’t make sense, care more about being in the presence of God than about chasing the promises He’s given.”

In a church that’s growing, a community being restored, and generations being reached—Diego and Ana’s story is a reminder that when you keep Jesus at the center, He transforms ordinary obedience to eternal impact.

Connect with Diego & Ana on the Highlands College Alumni Network.