Al Cerda

Pastor Al Cerda passed away early on the morning of June 13, 2025, at the age of 67, with his wife, Sandra Cerda by his side after an eight-month fight with Stage IV Small-Cell Lung Cancer diagnosed on October 14, 2024. 

Al and Sandra Cerda pastored New Life Ministries in Rosenberg and Richmond, Tx from 1992 and Sandra continues to pastor the home church in Richmond which transitioned into an Evangelical ministry, The Gathering of Warriors with prophetic-spiritual warfare crusades in Victoria, Corpus Christi and Laredo. Together they spearheaded Target: The Next Generation in Rosenberg at the former Blase building on Third Street in 1994, reaching thousands of At-Risk youth and the Warriors For Christ USA Boxing Team for over three years. They moved the church to the former Compean Dance Hall in Richmond on Hwy 90 until hurricanes Katrina and Rita and ultimately Hurricane Ike forced them to walk away, at which time the church transitioned. They pastored Spanish ministry for two years under the direction of pastor Don Keathley at Houston’s Grace Church, Houston, and returned to renovate and occupy the former Cinema Eight movie theatre until moving into Evangelical Ministry and Sandra’s work as an author, publisher and screenplay writer. Al and Sandra Cerda gave their lives to Jesus Christ in March of 1989 and were ordained by the late John Osteen of Lakewood Church, Houston, to begin pastoring. They served under the ministries of Benny Hinn, TL Osborne, RW Shambach, Nicky Cruz and many others, and organized the 1994 - 1995 Global March For Jesus reaching over 21,000 people before moving their ministry to Rosenberg. 

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Eulalia Ramirez and Alcario G. Cerda, Sr. and two sisters, Celia and Irene. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Pastor Sandra Cerda, and children, Anissa, David, Valerie (Ronnie Compean), Isaac, Rebekah, Christiana, Joseph (Laura), Michael, Nydia (Raymond Gutierrez) and Victor as well as 20 grandchildren: Jacob, Sarah, Leah, Ezekiel, Joshua, Jordan, Cashus, Alize, Anthony, Caliana, Sadie, Nathan, Liam, Bruce, Angel, Manny, Nate, Michelle, Neveah, Layla and 5 great-grandchildren: Nyelli, Caleb, Emma, Eunice Ivy and the youngest of them all, 2 year old, Saint along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother, Ruben (Martha), three sisters, Carol, Belinda and Johanna (Claudia) of Houston. Special gratitude is extended to Susie and Joe Fonseca, their family, Andrea (Efrain Sierra), Amanda (Roy Bermea) and Joe Jr, (Mercedes) of Rosenberg and Richmond, for their extended love, support and devotion to New Life Ministries and pastor Al’s family, as well as Gracie Mottu-Grover and her daughter Cailey of Rosenberg, Isabel Llanes of Wharton for their continued support and prayerful devotion for over 30 years. 

Pastor Al loved his church family, his Target Next kids and loved people. His thunderous voice and incredible laugh will continue to be heard in our hearts for years to come. Al Cerda was a soul-winner for Jesus whose non-judgmental preaching on forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance reached thousands in over 35 years of living for Christ. Ephesians 4:31-32 was his favorite scripture.

 A Celebration of Life will be held in Rosenberg’s Civic Center on Friday Night 6pm, September 12, 2025. Seating is limited, RSVP with Rebekah Cerda at 713-560-4123. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests Memorial Seed Offerings or Donations be made to Pastor Al’s church, New Life Ministries. Contact Susie Fonseca at 832-692-0608.

 Cremation Services are under the direction of E.P. Compean Funeral Directors.

 Great it is to dream the dream, when you stand in youth by the starry stream. But a greater thing is to fight life through, and say at the end, “The dream is true.”