Consuelo Salinas

Consuelo "Chelo" Salinas, 79, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 11, 2024.

Consuelo was born Nov. 22, 1944, in La Fiera, Texas. She married Porfirio "Pilo" Salinas Feb. 23, 1965, in Edinburg, Texas. They quickly moved to California the same year and settled in Wasco. Consuelo began to attend a small church that was using a rented building on G Street called Mision Pentecostes. She served the church as a Sunday school teacher and became the pastor in 1970.

As a female pastor the road was difficult. The Lord was faithful to her commitment, and in 1996, the congregation bought a building of its own on E Street and became known as Templo Emmanuel. She continued to faithfully serve Templo Emmanuel until her retirement in September 2023 after 53 years of pastorship.

Consuelo gave her life in service to the Lord and often met with church members in their homes and visited the sick in hospitals. She dedicated countless children to the Lord, performed weddings and preached the Gospel. Through her ministry she introduced many to the saving knowledge of Christ and spawned several churches.

She had a special place in her heart for the youth and often hosted them at her house. She also loved to work, and the church became known for its tamales, enchiladas and chicken plate sales.

Consuelo was preceded in death by her parents, Geronimo Maldonado and Ramona Casas, husband Porfirio, sons Esequiel, Eduardo and Elias; grandson Jonah; and brother Juan Maldonado. She is survived by sons Eli (Christina) residing in Wasco; Esteban (Cecilia) residing in Casa Grande, Ariz; grandchildren Peter, Eduardo Jr., Vanessa, Jacob, Abigail, Elias and Daniel; great grandchildren Esperanza, Eliyah,and Zaria; sisters Dora, Maria, Guadalupe and Ninfa; and brother Rogelio.

Services will be held Thursday, March 21, at Grace Community Church in Wasco, at 9 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Wasco Memorial Park. A visitation was held on March 20 at Templo Emmanuel in Wasco.