Rev. Ester V. Martinez

Ester Villanueva Martinez was born on February 26, 1945 in Robstown, Texas to Ambrosio and Juanita Villanueva both of Robstown. In 1951, at the age of six (6) years old, Ester and her family moved from Texas to Fresno, California. It was in California where her father pastored a church for many years. At a very young age, Ester believed the Gospel her father preached and decided to follow Jesus herself. Her relationship with Christ speared the rest of her life as she loved and trusted the Lord completely. Being a pastor’s daughter gave Ester the opportunity to develop her God-given talent to sing, play the piano, as well as to preach and teach the Word of God.

At the age of 14, Ester was licensed to preach by the Assemblies of God in California. She spoke at many youth gatherings in California and in her home state of Texas. It was during one of those youth gatherings in Texas, where there was a young man, Ernesto G. Martinez, Jr, who heard Ester preach for the first time and decided she would be his. They courted by mail (literal love letters) for months and on August 19, 1963, Ernesto and Ester became one in Carson City, Nevada.

After their wedding, Ester returned to Texas and she continued her call in ministry. Shortly after, Ester was licensed by the Unified Pentecostal Local Churches (UPLCII). She worked diligently preaching, playing piano and singing at her home church for many years. She directed many Easter and Christmas programs as well as Vacation Bible School for children.

Beginning in 1970, Ester served in various leadership roles within the UPLCII Women’s Ministry (WM) and the Assemblies of God. Ester served as WM National Treasurer, and in other various capacities such as hosting seminars and leadership trainings for women. In 1992 till 1996, Ester served for (4) years as WM Retreat Director. She whole-heartly enjoyed preparing all year long for a 2-day retreat that was held at the denominational headquarters. Selecting the retreat’s theme for the year was always so important to Ester as she knew the responsibility of leading such an important event where hundreds of women would gather for a time of worship and teaching. It was during this time that Ester completed her education and obtained her Master’s in Theology from Vision Christian University.

From approximately, 1998 – 2008, Ester served as the National President of the Women’s Ministry. These were years she treasured! She poured her heart into planning yearly women’s retreats, conventions, and leadership conferences. These events outgrew the headquarters capacity and under her leadership, the annual retreat was relocated to a hotel banquet room that could host over a 1000 women. She traveled to many states and even out of the country to minister to hundreds of women throughout these years. She was loved by so many who considered her their spiritual mother or mentor.

Although Ester was always serving, the Lord blessed her and Ernesto with five (5) children whom they both loved dearly throughout her years of ministry. She was always able to balance ministry and family as she was never too busy for her children.

In 2005, Ester pastored, along with her husband, Iglesia Betania in Falfurrias, Texas until her “retirement” in 2009. Upon retirement, Ester and Ernesto moved to Edinburg, Texas to reside with their youngest daughter, Adella and her family. Soon after, Ernesto’s health began to decline rapidly. Ester was his primary caregiver until the Lord took him home on March 17, 2016. After his passing, she dedicated her life to spending all her time with her children and grandchildren who were in different cities at any chance she had.

In 2020, Ester was diagnosed with breast cancer and then later congestive heart failure. She was strong and endured many medical procedures and treatments until her final day. It was her heart’s desire to meet her Savior while she slept and on Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Lord was gracious and granted her request.

Ester is proceeded in death by her husband, Ernesto, her parents, Ambrosio and Juanita, her siblings, (Ray, Connie, Cornie, Joe, Dan, Philip, David, Leo, and Betty), her son, Ernest III and her grandson, Jonathan.

She is survived by her brother, John and his wife, Yolanda, her four (4) daughters, Denise and her husband Rick, Darlene and her husband Noel, Delia and Adella and her husband Erick, as well as many grandchildren (Joshua, Jacob, Ernest IV, Justin, Jennifer, Elexa, Benjamin, Hailey, Ian, Riley, Nathanael, Isaiah, Andrew and EJ) and numerous great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Ester’s passing has left a huge void in the lives of many, especially her family. Her example of following Christ faithfully till the very end, her never wavering faith and trust in the Lord, her counsel and wisdom she shared with others will all be held in our hearts forever, however, it is without a doubt she will be deeply, deeply missed.