The Story of AVODA House
The Foundation
AVODA House began as an assignment from God long before the ministry became public.
The Lord was preparing the people, places, and experiences that would shape its foundation.
For years, He prepared our founder, Melrose, through discipleship, study, and obedience for the work she and her husband, Juan, would later lead together.
During the global coronavirus pandemic, the Lord clarified that vision by returning us to the way the early church lived, gathered, and discipled one another in the book of Acts. Around dining room tables, over shared meals, and through prayer, AVODA House quietly began to take shape.
In 2022, Melrose traveled across the United States, ministering to families and helping them to strengthen the spiritual foundations of their homes. That season established many of the relationships that would later become part of the AVODA House community.
When that journey came to a close, the Holy Spirit directed her to Arizona. Trusting the Lord's leading, she sold her belongings, closed her business, and left her hometown in 2023.
From there, AVODA House first gathered in Arizona and Florida before establishing communities in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Along the way, the ministry also served families throughout Texas, California, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and internationally in Mexico.
As the Lord continued unfolding His plans, Juan joined Melrose in the work He had begun, and together they continued building AVODA House.
The Assignment
Over time, through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, a clear pattern began to emerge.
Many of the households we were already serving were first responders, military families, public servants, and government leaders. Behind every vocation was a household carrying unique pressures, weighty responsibilities, and decisions few people ever see. Because of the nature of their work, many of those conversations remained private, taking place around kitchen tables, over shared meals, and in moments of prayer.
As we walked alongside these families, the Lord gave us a deep love for the households behind those who serve. What first appeared to be individual relationships gradually revealed itself as a distinct pastoral assignment.
As the Lord continued directing our steps, He led us into law enforcement and legal studies. Those experiences have given us a deeper understanding of the unique realities facing first responders, public servants, and government families, while continuing to equip us for the work He has entrusted to us.
Looking back, we realized that many of the families we had already been serving for years shared this common calling. What once seemed like individual assignments gradually revealed a clear mission: to strengthen the households behind those who serve on the front lines of America.
We believe that as God strengthens these households, He also strengthens the communities they are called to protect.
The Alignment
As AVODA House matured, another assignment God had entrusted to us was also developing.
In 2023, the Congress of Kingdom Advocates for Freedom was established to educate believers in a biblical understanding of human rights, justice, civic discipleship, and engagement in society.
The Congress fulfilled a distinct assignment by developing informed leaders equipped to advocate for their communities. At the same time, AVODA House continued serving through discipleship, pastoral care, and hospitality.
Over time, we began to recognize that the Lord was preparing both ministries to serve one another. Many of the men and women being developed through the Congress were also being prepared to serve within the AVODA Council.
Rather than continuing as two separate ministries, the Lord brought both assignments together under one House. The pastoral work of AVODA House and the development of the AVODA Family Governance Model were strengthened by the education provided through the Congress.
Today, the teaching and leadership work of the Congress continues through the AVODA Institute and the AVODA Council, including the AVODA Certificate in Human Rights, Justice & Family Governance—a first of its kind program in biblical family governance. The pastoral and discipleship work continues through the AVODA Table and AVODA Legacy.
This alignment reflects one unified mission: strengthening the households behind those who serve on the front lines of America.
The Invitation
If you're looking for specialized pastoral support for first responder, public servant, or government families alongside your local church, we'd be honored to walk alongside your household.