Pastor Mario &
Amy Villearreal
Greetings, my name is Pastor Mario Villearreal. Alongside my wife Amy, we have the great privilege of pastoring The Door Christian Church in Garland, Texas. We’ve been married for 25 years, and the Lord has blessed our lives richly with six wonderful children and eleven beautiful grandchildren.
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Our journey in the ministry began in our mother church in Killeen, TX in March of 2000, I served faithfully in multiple areas—including as a Bible Study Leader, Drama Team Leader, Worship Leader, and Assistant Head Usher. In 2021, we were launched into the harvest field to pioneer a new work in Hutto, TX. Later that same year, through divine direction and God’s clear leading, we assumed the pastorate of The Potter’s House in Harker Heights, TX, where we labored for three fruitful years.
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Now, in this new season, God has called us to take the helm at The Door Church here in Garland. Our heart and vision remain unchanged: to see souls saved, lives transformed, and disciples raised up to fulfill their calling in Jesus Christ.
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We are honored to serve you, and we welcome you to be a part of what God is doing in our church and city.
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“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” – 1 Timothy 1:12
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May the Lord richly bless you,
Pastor Mario Villearreal
Senior Pastor – The Door Christian Church, Garland, TX
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My testimony: A Journey from Rejection to Redemption
I was born into poverty and chaos. My earliest memories are pierced by my mother’s bitter words— “I hate you. I wish you were never born.” When home should have been a refuge, it became a battleground: an alcoholic, volatile step‑father’s fists and rage marked many nights. Loneliness drove me to the streets, where drugs, alcohol, and gang life promised the “family” I craved but only deepened the emptiness.
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By 2000 I fled to Killeen, Texas—running from death threats, running from my past, and running from myself. Yet the anger, addiction, and self‑hatred traveled with me, tightening their grip. I knew I was on a collision course with either prison or a grave, but I had no idea how to stop the spiral.
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Then God sent an unlikely rescue. A family member looked past my hardness and invited my fiancée (now my wife, Amy) and me to a revival service. I’d grown up nominally Catholic—just enough religion to make the sign of the cross and hope I didn’t die that night—so church felt pointless. But desperation said, “Why not?”
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The moment the worship began, something pierced my heart. I don’t remember the preacher’s outline, but I will never forget the overwhelming love of Jesus Christ flooding my soul. At that altar I asked Him to forgive my sin and take over my life—and He did, instantly breaking decades of bondage.
 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
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Twenty‑five years later God’s grace still amazes me. The addict became a husband, father of six, and “Papa” to eleven grandchildren. The gang member became a preacher of the gospel, now serving as Senior Pastor of The Door Christian Church in Garland, Texas. Every victory and every transformed life we witness is proof that the same Jesus who rescued me can rescue you.
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If you feel unwanted, abused, or trapped by sin, know this: the Savior who healed my heart stands ready to heal yours. My wife and I are here to serve you in any way we can. There is hope, and His name is Jesus.
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