Meet Pastor José “Pep” Montenegro

Pastor Pep is the founding pastor of Calvary North East Los Angeles, a vibrant fellowship he pioneered on the Highland Park recreation field. Deeply rooted in his community, Pastor Pep grew up in Highland Park, CA, and feels honored to be called back to the place of his childhood to serve in ministry.

Under his leadership, Calvary Northeast LA has become known as a place of hope for everyone, forgiveness, renewal, and spiritual discovery, encouraging attendees to explore God’s plan for their lives. The church emphasizes teaching the Bible verse by verse, fostering personal devotion, authentic relationships through fellowship, and a strong sense of community.

Pastor Pep is the father of Celina.

He received the Lord as his Savior when he was a teenager in a Christian Rehabilitation program. Upon graduating from the rehabilitation program, he served as a youth pastor and youth evangelist for over 8 years.

He attended Latin American Bible Institute, studied at Azusa Pacific University and later earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, Ca., he is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

He has been privileged to pioneer two churches, one in Moreno Valley, Ca. and the current church he pastors, Calvary North East Los Angeles in Highland Park, Ca.
Calvary North East L.A. was founded in June 2013 as a small group of people passed out hot dogs and chips on the grass at the Highland Park Recreation Center.

Pastor Pep is completely amazed at the saving grace of God, the calling of God, the equipping that God does for His people and the encouragement God gives to His people as they live moment by moment for the Lord. 

Calvary North East Los Angeles teaches through the Bible verse by verse and is an affiliate of Calvary Chapel.

Pastor Pep articulates the heart of his message as:

“Living a real ‘moment by moment’ Christianity in today’s world!”