Marriage & Couples Counseling

You'll be welcomed warmly, and that's about it for expectations. Our service includes worship music, a teaching from the Bible, prayer, and time to meet others if you want to. There's nothing you have to say, do, or know. You can sit in the back. You can leave when you need to. You're not on the spot.

Whatever you're comfortable in. Some people dress up, some come in jeans and sneakers. We care that you came, not what you came in.

Our services are primarily in Spanish, with English-speaking members present and translation help available when needed. If you only speak English, you are still very welcome. Just let a greeter know when you arrive and we'll make sure you feel at home.

2235 H Street, Suite C, Bakersfield, CA 93301. We're in downtown Bakersfield. There is street parking available. If you have trouble finding the entrance, just call us at (323) 353-9727.

Roughly 90 minutes to two hours. We don't rush worship or the Word, but we also don't drag it out.

No. There is an offering during the service, but visitors are never expected to give. There's no membership form to fill out, no commitment card. Come freely.

We are a Christian Church. That means we believe the Bible is the Word of God, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and rose for our salvation, and that the Holy Spirit is alive and active today, healing, guiding, and giving spiritual gifts to His people.

Yes. Aliento de Vida operates under the spiritual covering of Ministerio Profético La Roca de Salvación. This means we are accountable to other pastors and ministries beyond our own walls, for our protection, our teaching, and our integrity.

It means Breath of Life. Our name comes from Genesis 2:7, when God formed the first human from dust and breathed life into him. We believe God's breath still gives life today. That's the work of the church.

Yes. We believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including tongues, prophecy, and healing, are still given today. You won't be pressured to participate. Many people come for years before they experience these things personally, and that's perfectly fine.

We hold the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the final authority for faith and life. Our pastors teach Scripture in context, taking seriously what it actually says.

We meet four times each week:

• Sunday · Worship Service · 11:00 AM
• Tuesday · Bible Study · 7:00 PM
• Wednesday · Prayer · 7:00 PM
• Thursday · Worship Service · 7:00 PM

Sunday is our main weekly gathering, with full worship, teaching, and time at the altar. Thursday is similar but shorter, designed for midweek encouragement. Both services are open to everyone.

It's exactly what it sounds like: corporate prayer for our church, our families, our city, and the requests we carry. There's no teaching, no performance, just a community of people praying together. It's powerful and very much worth experiencing at least once.

Tuesday is when we go deeper. Pastor leads us through Scripture in a more interactive, teaching-focused setting. Questions are welcome. It's a great place to grow.

Yes, we have ministry for children during our main services. Bring your kids; they'll be loved on and taught at their level.

No. Counseling and pastoral support are available to anyone who reaches out: member, visitor, or someone who has never set foot in our church. We're here to serve people, not just our attendance roster.

Yes. Conversations with our pastors are kept confidential. The only exceptions, as required by both ethics and California law, are situations involving danger to yourself or others, or abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult, in which case we are required to involve appropriate help.

Our pastors and counseling team are trained to provide pastoral and biblical counsel, not clinical mental health treatment. When clinical care is needed (for example, for serious depression, trauma, addiction, or psychiatric issues), we will help you connect with a trusted licensed Christian counselor or therapist in the area, and walk alongside you while they provide that care.

Free. Every counseling service we offer — marriage, family, individual, grief, crisis, addiction — is provided without charge. There are no session fees. No sliding scales. No insurance billing. No hidden cost.

This is pastoral ministry, not clinical practice. We meet with you because that is what a church family is supposed to do. If you are referred to a licensed clinical therapist for specialized care, their fees would be separate.

Insurance is not part of the conversation because we do not bill for pastoral counseling. Nothing is filed with an insurance company, so nothing shows up on your record.

If what you are dealing with also needs a licensed clinical therapist or medication management, we can help you find one. But for the pastoral support itself — sitting with a pastor, being prayed for, being walked through the hard middle of something — there is no cost, and insurance is not involved.

You will meet with Pastor Giovani and/or Pastor Vasni at the church, usually for about ninety minutes. There is no intake form to fill out. There is no clinical assessment. It is a conversation.

Both of you get to speak. Both of you get heard. Nobody is going to be told they are the problem, and nobody is going to be sent away with homework. We will listen to where you are, ask what you would like this season of your marriage to look like, and pray for you before you leave. If it makes sense to keep meeting, we schedule the next one before you go. Everything you share stays with us.

We start with a one-on-one conversation, in-person at the church or by phone if that is easier. There is nothing you have to prepare or say the right way. You tell us who you lost and how you are doing. We listen. We pray with you.

From there, some people want to keep meeting one-on-one. Some join our grief support gatherings when they are running. Some just want to know a pastor is a phone call away when the hard days come. Any of those is fine. Grief moves on its own timeline — we move with yours.

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 911 first. Then call us at (323) 353-9727. We want to walk with you in what comes next. You can also see our Crisis and Suicide Support page for more.

For urgent needs, we move fast, often the same day or next. For ongoing counseling, we typically schedule within the week. Call (323) 353-9727 and we'll work it out.

Family is at the center of who we are. "We are a family church" is our actual vision statement. Kids of all ages are welcome, and the whole congregation pitches in to love them well.

Yes. Pastor Giovani served as a youth pastor for years before stepping into the senior pastorate, and youth ministry remains close to our hearts. Reach out and we'll connect your teen with our youth team.

Absolutely. Many families come together to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday services. Children are welcome at every gathering.

Yes to both. We practice believer's baptism (full immersion) for those who have made a personal decision to follow Christ. We also offer baby dedications, where families present their children before God and the church family commits to support them. Talk to a pastor to plan either.

Yes. Pastor Giovani officiates weddings and funerals for our church family and, where appropriate, for those connected to our community. For weddings, we recommend premarital counseling beforehand. For funerals, we'll move quickly to support you.

There's no formal membership process to attend or be loved here. Over time, as people become part of the family, pastor will have conversations about deeper involvement, baptism, and serving. Just start by coming.

We have ministries for ushers, worship, prayer, hospitality, children, youth, technical and sound, and outreach. If God has put a stirring in you to serve, talk to one of the pastors after a service.

Offering is collected during services, and you can also give in person at the church office. We're transparent with our finances and use giving to fund the church's ministries, building, outreach, and pastoral care.

We love the cell-group model; it's part of how Pastor Giovani was raised up in ministry. Talk to a pastor about leading or hosting a small group in your home.

Follow us on Facebook for service reminders, encouragements, and event announcements. You can also call the office anytime at (323) 353-9727.