Manuel Valenzuela Espinoza

Manuel Valenzuela Espinoza, a compassionate, devoted, and faithful servant of the Lord, passed away on August 16, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on October 11, 1942, in Coyote, Coahuila, Mexico, Manuel was the youngest of seven children born to Francisco and Petra Espinoza. In 1956, he migrated to the United States with his father as migrant workers.

On February 17, 1960, he married Bertha Martinez, and together they were blessed with five children—four sons and one daughter. His family continued to grow, including 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Manuel committed his life to Jesus in November 1966 and served in Tolleson Baptist Church for three years. He later took a leadership role in a mission church supported by Cashion Baptist Church, which eventually led to the establishment of the First Southern Baptist Church of Antioquia. Despite initial struggles with funding, the church was completed in 1977. They gathered in his house for a year before God blessed them with land and the funds to start building. In 1978, Manuel was called as a missionary, traveling to various locations in Mexico, including Coahuila, Sonora, and El Claro.

In 1983, he was ordained as a pastor of the church he helped build and led it until his retirement in 2020. Alongside his religious commitments, Manuel worked as a masonry construction worker from 1969 until his retirement in 2007.

His favorite Bible verses were Philippians 1:20-21 ~ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, ~ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

He also cherished the book of John. Manuel found joy in all preaching and teaching from the word of God.

A visitation with family and friends will be held at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, Arizona, on August 25, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. A committal service will take place at West Resthaven Memorial Park in Glendale, Arizona, at 1:30 pm.

Manuel's life was a testament to his unwavering faith and dedication to his family and community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.