Tony Sanchez, age 58 of El Paso, Texas, passed from this earthly life on December 26, 2024. Tony was born to Antonio & Lucy Sanchez in Portales, New Mexico on July 10, 1966. From a child, Tony enjoyed working and held various jobs from gardening and mowing for neighbors, delivering newspapers, and maintenance. At age 15, he started working for McDonald's as a dish washer/cook and was promoted to restaurant manager for 4 years. Although Tony won a university scholarship for his artistic talents, he set aside the opportunity to become a commercial artist for a much higher calling. After ten years of cherished adventures that involved extensive traveling, holding glorious gospel services, plus building and maintaining church convention grounds as a minister-worker, he became disillusioned with what God revealed to him was an inadequate doctrinal system. Tony felt God leading him to resign from his full-time missionary ministry of living by faith while he remained a member of that church. After reentering the job market, Tony worked as a certified baker for Golden Corral Restaurant, and then as a furniture sales representative for over 5 years. In 2001, Tony married the love of his life and faithful lifelong companion, Lisette. Shortly after marriage, Tony & Lisette started and managed their own successful house-cleaning business for ten years, building a steady, loyal, and happy cliental. Lisette shared Tony’s love for the Lord and desire to labor in his vineyard. As they sought God’s will for their lives, he led them on a quest for the church they read about in the New Testament, eventually finding what Tony lovingly called “the true Church of God.” In 2007, God called Tony and Lisette to begin laboring for souls in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. One day as he was seeking God for a job and direction in their new hometown of El Paso, he was inspired by a license plate that said “By Faith” and felt God was calling them to live by faith. In the 17 years that followed, they gave themselves tirelessly to reach souls there with the love of Christ. That led to many wonderful adventures, miracles, and the salvation of many souls. While they also faced their share of disappointments and witnessed many who came and went through the years, they rejoiced in the wonderful fellowship they had with the faithful few to whom they ministered, as well as the saints of God in the USA and Honduras. Many witnessed the joy of his worship and heard his rejoicing at being saved, sanctified, and free from Babylon. Tony and Lisette were profoundly grateful for those who lovingly supported them in so many ways. Tony leaves behind his loving wife of 23 years, Lisette, mother Lucy, and sisters Rose, Estella, and Jessica. He also leaves behind countless people in Ciudad Juárez into whose heart he sowed the seed of the Gospel. He will be especially missed by the congregation there that he dearly loved and for whom he labored.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2024 at San Jose Funeral Home East, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm with a prayer service at 12 Noon with final resting place at Mount Carmel Cemetery.