our mission
Our Mission: To Build God’s Kingdom One Family At a Time
At AVODA House, our mission is to advance God's kingdom by nurturing the family unit, the heart and cornerstone of society. We believe in the vision of every Christian household mirroring the early church, acting as both sanctuary and community, rooted in the foundational truths of Jesus Christ.
The name "Avoda," derived from Hebrew, embodies our vision of a seamless life of "Work, Worship, and Service."
Our goal is to strengthen families based on kingdom principles, engaging in commerce, civic participation, and community service, reflecting Christ's glory in every aspect of life through biblical principles of righteous leadership.
history of avoda house
& our founder
AVODA House: A Vision Birthed in Prayer and Preparation
In 2023, after a period of nine years filled with prayer and preparation, AVODA House was officially birthed in Orlando, Florida, as a non-denominational Christian ministry. This vision was confirmed through a 22-state tour in 30 days, guided by the Lord’s leading, and culminated in the establishment of our National Training Center in Yuma, Arizona. A border town that brings together the communities of California, Arizona, and Mexico, and is home to over seven military bases including the Yuma Proving Ground.
About the Founder: Melrose Figueroa
Pastor Melrose Figueroa, the founder of AVODA House, is an ordained minister whose early life was deeply influenced by her family's commitment to faith. Growing up, she witnessed her parents transform their living room couch into a space for family prayers, worship, and services, often inviting close friends, who were like family, to join. These acts church experiences laid an unshakeable biblical foundation in her life.
Her lineage is a tapestry woven with threads of faith, enterprise, and public service. Melrose’s mother stewards a bible distribution ministry, with a wide range of sacred texts, and has dedicated herself to founding Christian libraries that serve both local churches and commercial entities. Melrose's mother's emphasis on truth in love instilled in her a profound compassion for people with a joy for teaching.
Melrose’s devotion to her faith is present not solely through her inherited zeal for literature, but also through her scholarly pursuits and training. Her commitment to the Lord is as much a part of her intellectual journey as it is a guiding principle in her God given assignments.
Ecclesiastical Leadership and Training
Pastor Melrose's theological journey includes graduating from the Timothy and Nehemiah Leadership Training Seminars and earning a medical degree from Advent Health University which extends the healing ministry of Christ, where she also served as a ministry leader. Her ecclesiastical experience encompasses a diverse range of roles within the local church, such as cleaning and hospitality, deaconess, intercessory prayer, creative arts, worship dance, youth leadership, and conducting Bible studies. She has also completed Marriage on the Rock training with Jimmy Evans, enriching her approach to guiding families in building strong, Christ-centered marriages. Additionally, Melrose has received training in spiritual warfare, deliverance, healing, and prophetic ministry from Evangelist John Ramirez and Pastor Mike Signorelli of V1 Church.
God’s Promise of Fertility
During a healing and prophetic class with Pastor Mike Signorelli, Melrose experienced a profound miracle and promise. Chosen out of almost 1000 classmates, to be prayed over for Polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition known to cause infertility and has no cure, she received a vision and heard the voice of her future child, reassuring her that "everything will be okay, mommy." Weeks later, after re-examination and with medical reports in hand, she testified with evidence to be supernaturally healed by Jesus, with the promise of family.
Intercessors Hearts Unite
As an active member of Intercessors for America and the founder of Border Patrol Intercessors, Melrose is dedicated to the restoration of America and turning the nation to God in repentance. Her calling extends beyond national borders, as she serves on the board of FOUND, a non-profit organization led by her apostles, Gbenga and Selone Ajewole. Gbenga is the lead pastor at The Wave London Mission & The Wave Global Movement. He is also known as an Israel Advocate, is a friend of the Israeli Embassy in London, and runs seminars educating others on Israeli history, geopolitics, and biblical truths.
Business Leadership and Professional Experience
Melrose's passion extends beyond spiritual leadership. She has successfully owned a marketing agency for the past decade, elevating the profiles of leaders in the medical, political, and legal sectors who are dedicated to serving families and communities. Her advocacy for social justice is evident in her efforts to break down language barriers and cater to the growing needs of the Spanish-speaking community in America through her new translation business. Leveraging over a decade of experience in communications and travel, she offers a unique viewpoint to her services. Additionally, her business acumen and her tenure as the former Chair of the Tourism & Marketing Communications Board for the Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce and memberships in the Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce and Integrity Business Referrals show her dedication to supporting local businesses. She brings an invaluable reservoir of professional experience to all AVODA House family and friends.
Government Leadership and Legacy of Service
The legacy of service in Melrose's family is evident in her grandmother's career in Education, her grandfather's military service as a Colonel, her brother’s service in the U.S. Border Patrol, and their family history of commercial administration. Her studies in business and government at Florida Atlantic University and the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, along with her training in human trafficking, suicide prevention, self-defense, abuse and personality disorders, further equip her for leadership. Her personal journey, marked by surviving domestic violence, has profoundly shaped her mission. She focuses on upholding traditional values, encouraging transformation through the Holy Spirit, and strengthening the family nucleus.
The Heart of Society: Strengthening Families
Pastor Melrose is dedicated to guiding individuals and families toward a deeper relationship with Jesus, fostering faith-filled households that serve as the heart of society.
Our Mission: Advancing God's Kingdom through Families
At AVODA House, our mission is to advance God's kingdom by nurturing the family unit, the cornerstone of society. We believe in the vision of every Christian household mirroring the early church, acting as both sanctuary and community, rooted in the foundational truths of Jesus Christ.
The name "Avoda," derived from Hebrew, embodies our vision of a seamless life of "Work, Worship, and Service."
Our goal is to strengthen families based on kingdom principles, engaging in commerce, civic participation, and community service, reflecting Christ's glory in every aspect of life through biblical principles of righteous leadership.
If you are interested in learning more about launching an AVODA House with your family and friends, contact us today!