Pastors Alex and Diaritza Florian – Lead Pastors
Rooted Church, Sylmar
Alex + Diaritza Florian, Pastors
Pastors Alex and Diaritza Florian have dedicated their lives to serving God wholeheartedly, no matter the cost. With over 15 years of ministry experience, they have worked together to build a foundation of faith, hope, and love in every community they serve.
Married in 2009, they are proud parents to two beautiful children and are passionate about raising the next generation to know and follow Christ. In 2017, they stepped into their calling as senior pastors in North Hills, CA. However, in 2019, they felt the Lord leading them to a new mission—closing the church in North Hills to plant Rooted Church in Sylmar, CA.
Their lives carry a powerful message of hope and faith, and their greatest joy is witnessing generations encounter God, be transformed by Jesus Christ, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Through their leadership, Rooted Church continues to be a place where people can grow deeper in their relationship with God and live out their purpose in Him.
Lisette Hernandez, Rooted Kidz
Hello! My name is Lisette Florian Hernandez, and I am honored to serve as the Rooted Kids Children’s Ministry Leader at Rooted Church. A SoCal native, born and raised in Sylmar, CA, I am passionate about guiding the next generation in their spiritual journey and fostering a Christ-centered environment where children can grow in their faith.
With over 25 years of experience working with children, I have been continually inspired by their joy, curiosity, and resilience. They motivate me to be the best version of myself every day. As a proud wife to my amazing husband, Robert, of 12 years, and a mommy to my answered prayer, Frankie (8), I am blessed to see God’s faithfulness in my own family and in the lives of the children I serve.
One of my favorite quotes is:“Our deepest fear is not that we are weak. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” – Marianne Williamson
My favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 22:6, reminds me of the importance of our mission in Children’s Ministry: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
At Rooted Kids, it is my joy to help children discover their God-given purpose and to equip families to walk alongside them in their faith journey.
Lisette Florian Hernandez – Rooted Kids, Children’s Ministry Director
Wendy Smith, Worship Team Leader
Wendy Smith
She’s 24 years old and married to the churches bass player, Victor. She has 2 daughters and a son. She considers herself a very creative person and puts her creativity into making custom made cakes. She also enjoys to sing. She joined choir when she was only eight years old and always had the longing to be in a Worship Team. She grew up in church and for me she a long time she struggled to find what her calling was. When Pastors Alex and Diari placed her in the Worship Team it was quite frightening, considering she is very timid and introverted. And being pleased as a Worship Leader seems like an even bigger challenge. But being placed with such a role has strived her to better her relationship with God and slowly come out of her shell. She can’t wait to see what God will do and where God will take her and the team.
Tiene 24 años y está casada con el bajista de la iglesia, Víctor. Tiene 2 hijas y un hijo. Se considera una persona muy creativa y pone su creatividad en la elaboración de tartas a medida. A ella también le gusta cantar. Se unió al coro cuando solo tenía ocho años y siempre tuvo el anhelo de estar en un equipo de adoración. Ella creció en la iglesia y para mí durante mucho tiempo luchó por encontrar cuál era su llamado. Cuando los pastores Alex y Diari la colocaron en el Equipo de Adoración fue bastante aterrador, considerando que es muy tímida e introvertida. Y estar complacido como líder de alabanza parece un desafío aún mayor. Pero ser colocada en un papel así la ha esforzado por mejorar su relación con Dios y salir lentamente de su caparazón. Ella está ansiosa por ver qué hará Dios y adónde Dios la llevará a ella y al equipo.