The service will begin at 10 a.m. at Iglesia Evangelica Misionera in La Villa, a South Texas Covenant church where he had served as pastor.
Machado had been returning from Reynosa, Mexico, which is just south of the Texas border, when his car plunged into a river canal. He was the only person in the vehicle. The cause of the accident remains unknown.
A memorial fund has been established to help his wife, Areceli, and their two sons, Eder and Jose Armando.
Checks should be made payable to Redeemer Covenant Church and earmarked for the “Pastor Armando Machado Memorial Fund.” Contributions should be sent to Redeemer Covenant Church, 1518 E. Frankford Road, Carrollton, TX, 75007.
Born in Reynosa, Machado had been pastor of Iglesia Evangelica Misionera since 2003 and transferred his ordination to the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2006. He was a physician before entering the ministry.
“I am so saddened by this report,” said Walter Contreras upon learning the tragic news. Contreras serves on the staff of Covenant World Mission and is active in Hispanic ministry throughout the Covenant.
“Our brother Machado was a member of the Hispanic Leadership in MHIPE (Hispanic ministry leadership group) and loved the Lord and loved evangelism,” Contreras notes. “He was a doctor and preacher. He was considering the opportunity to plant a church in the near future. He was a bridge builder and always willing to serve others.
“Last year he participated together with other Hispanic pastors on a special trip to the Hispanic Prayer Breakfast with President Bush and other elected officials in Washington, representing the State of Texas and the Midsouth Conference of the Covenant,” Contreras said. “He loved the Covenant Church and as a professional doctor was always willing to serve the immigrant community through the ministry of the word and with a heart of compassion through his medical profession. Please keep his wonderful family in your prayers.”
