Eliseo Tadeo Santillan

Eliseo Tadeo Santillan was born under the name of Basilio Tadeo Santillan, on June 14th, 1953. He was born the youngest of 25 children in the Southern Mexican town of Tuxpan, Jalisco, to Narciso Santillan Vargas and Manuela Tadeo Sanchez. Unfortunately, all of his brothers and sisters died at childhood, for the exception of an older brother and Pastor Eliseo himself. Losing his father at the early age of 5 years, he began working to help his mother. At about the age of 15 years, he decided to move to Tijuana, Baja California, and later to migrated to California where he joined the army in 197_ and was a guard for NASA, at the Ames Research Center in California. He was honorably discharged in 19__. Pastor Santillan moved to the Phoenix area, where he came to know The Lord Jesus, in Tempe, AZ at the Apostolic Assembly of the Faith In Christ Jesus, pastored by Pastor Ruben Correa. He was baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ on August of 1986 and received the Holy Ghost, with the evidence in the speaking in tongues, that day as he came out of the baptismal waters. In 1989, He was initiated into the ministry by Pastor Correa and later in 1991, Pastor Santillan, then known as Brother Chilo, was ordained into the ministry. After His Ordination, and while still serving as Assistant Pastor to Pastor Correa, he was sent to officiate as Interim Pastor at the church in Superior, AZ, where he served for 2 years, and soon after he was sent to pastor and restore the church in Maricopa, AZ. He worked to heal and restore the church for 2 years leaving a healthy and restored congregation. He was then recommended by the Apostolic Assembly AZ District Board of Directors to initiate various missions and help with newly budding churches around the Phoenix and surrounding urban area. During this time he also served in the Sector Board of Directors within the AZ District in various positions encompassing the office of Secretary, Treasurer and President of the Sectoral Men’s auxillary. In 2003 He Married Sis. Dina Villelas whom he met while attending Colegio Biblico Nacional Distrito AZ and soon after in 2004, Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. After 13 years of serving as Assistant Pastor to Pastor Correa, in 2003, Pastor Eliseo moved to Tucson, AZ, under the wishes of then Bishop Arthur Tafoya and under the supervision of Honorary Bishop Joseph Salcido, to start the mission work in Marana AZ, while congregating at First Tucson. Later serving also as General Secretary of the local church for 2 years under Pastor Enrique Espino. After 3 years with the task of opening the work in Marana, In 2007, Pastor Santillan was requested by Bishop of New Mexico, Bishop Rene Gaxiola, to aid in the pastorship of Santa Clara, NM. Then a year later, in 2008, to Pastor in the City of Taos, NM where he pastored until the Lord called him home on March 10, 2017. He is preceded in death by his sons: Carlos Basilio Santillan and Xavier E. Santillan. He leaves behind his wife of 14 years, Dina Santillan, his children: Gabriel N. Santillan, Joshua A. Santillan, John C. Santillan, Narciso A. Santillan, Dario Hernandez, Norma Gonzalez, Rafael N. Villelas, Tatiana Buendia. Pastor Santillan also leaves 24 grandchildren and __great grandchildren. Pastor Eliseo T. Santillan, faithful servant until the end. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge , shall give me at that day:” 2Tim 4:7-8