About Us

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I Am What I Am Ministry was founded on the conviction that the church can and should be a place of safety, hope, and healing for those affected by intimate partner violence.

The ministry's founder, Felix Cervantes, has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his life, including military service in the United States Navy, law enforcement as a homicide detective, pastoral ministry, and education as a forensic science instructor. Through these experiences, he witnessed firsthand the impact that trauma, violence, and broken relationships can have on individuals and families.

As a survivor of intimate partner violence, Felix understands both the personal and spiritual challenges that often accompany abuse. He also recognizes that many pastors and church leaders genuinely desire to help but may lack the training, resources, or referral pathways necessary to respond effectively when abuse is disclosed.

I Am What I Am Ministry was created to help bridge that gap. The ministry exists to equip pastors with practical resources, connect churches with effective referral tools, and provide biblically grounded guidance that promotes safety, healing, and restoration for survivors of intimate partner violence.

The ministry's name comes from 1 Corinthians 15:10, where the Apostle Paul writes, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.” This verse serves as the foundation of the ministry's message: individuals are not defined by abuse, trauma, mistakes, or past circumstances. Through God's grace, healing and restoration are possible. 

Today, I Am What I Am Ministry partners with pastors and churches to strengthen responses to intimate partner violence, develop effective referral pathways, promote awareness, and encourage lives marked by hope, dignity, and grace.

Not Defined by Trauma. Restored by Grace.

To equip pastors and churches with biblically grounded resources and referral pathways that promote safety, healing, and restoration for those affected by intimate partner violence.

To see churches become places of safety, accountability, healing, and restoration where survivors of intimate partner violence are supported, pastors are equipped to respond effectively, and families experience the transforming grace of God.

• Scripture
  We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God and serves as the foundation for faith, doctrine, and daily living.
• God
  We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Jesus Christ
  We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God and fully man, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and will return again.
• Salvation
  We believe salvation is a gift of God's grace received through faith in Jesus Christ alone and not by human works.
• The Church
  We believe the Church is the body of Christ and is called to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, care for one another, and demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus Christ in the world.
• Grace and Restoration
  We believe that through Jesus Christ, healing, forgiveness, restoration, and transformation are possible for all people. No person is defined by their past, their trauma, or their failures. By the grace of God, lives can be renewed and restored.