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My journey this week took me to Eloy Narvaiz, my friend, a veteran and brother-in-Christ. A “RISM” — raised in San Marcos — many people know him from his friendly smiles and customer service as a window clerk at the San Marcos Post Office. He served for 38 years and retired from the Postal Service on Jan. 31, 2019. Currently, he is employed by the City of San Marcos as Supervisor of Interoffice Mail.
Narvaiz felt the call to start a mission, “Soul Harvest,” as an outreach of First Baptist Church in 2003. In faith, he chose a location on State Highway 21 near Gary Job Corps. The mission came to fruition as Soul Harvest Church in 2007; and, under Narvaiz's leadership, upgraded the building to twice its original size.
Pastor Narvaiz and his wife, Estella, are faithful ministers who are wellequipped to lead on Sundays, to counsel and to pray with members and youth who attend. Narvaiz has also participated in mission trips to Mexico and Galveston
Pastor Narvaiz is an individual called to bi-vocational ministry —a job best summed up as “too much to do and not enough time to do it." Bi-vocational pastors depend on Jesus for the energy and drive to meet all the challenges as both full-time wage-earners and full-time church leaders. To such a man or woman must be added a family who shares and supports their vision.
Brother Narvaiz, a versatile man, is worship leader and pastor at Soul Harvest Church. He has committed to memory 50 songs and many sermons. A favorite is based on Matthew 13:1-9, The Parable of the Spiritual Sower. The farmer planted good seed; some did not sprout and others, because the soil was shallow or thorns choked them, quickly died.
“We are called to keep on throwing out the seed in anticipation of them landing on good ground," Narvaiz said. "We must never stop planting.”
In service to the nation, Narvaiz said served four years active duty in the Marine Corps Aviation, followed by two years in the Navy Reserve; he then transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve for an additional six years. He married Estella Herrera and they have two daughters, one son and five grandchildren.
His life verse is:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuse and my fortress, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:1-2
These words replace fear with faith.
