Bishop Juan (John) Victor Passuelo
May 25, 1932 – February 13, 2021
The World Missions Ministries Council and global missionary family extends its deepest sympathies to Norma Passuelo Mozes, David Passuelo, and Brenda Passuelo Barroso and their respective families as they mourn the death of their beloved father, Bishop Juan (John) Victor Passuelo who has now “entered the Church Triumphant.” We remember with gratitude, Bishop Passuelo’s life and missionary legacy, and we give thanks to God for His service as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To the Passuelo family, we say, “Be strong and courageous, the Lord your God is with you.”
Rev. Max Barroso, Bishop Passuelo's grandson, provided us with a copy of Bishop Passuelo’s obituary:
“Bishop Juan Victor Passuelo was born on May 25, 1932, and departed to the presence of his Lord and Savior on February 13, 2021, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His beloved wife, Rev. Dora Elson Passuelo, and his son, Rudy, preceded him in death. His three children, Norma Mozes (Mike), David (Dora), and Brenda Barroso (Carlos), his 10 grandchildren (Vanessa, Diego, Jason, Virginia, Melanie, Francisco, Max, Natalia, Carla, and Jonathan), and his 16 great-grandchildren carry on his legacy.
Brother Juan was an exemplary father, grandfather, great-grandfather, pastor, teacher, church planter, missionary, friend, counselor, and leader. His passion for the study and preaching of God’s Word was matchless. After growing up in his dear Cordoba, he began his ministerial training at IBRP in Buenos Aires and later completed studies at Holmes Bible College in Greenville, SC. John and his 'Dorita' were married in June of 1954 while serving on the ministerial team of the Tommy Hicks crusades in Argentina.
He was one of the founders and the first superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Argentina, established in 1965. In 1968, he was one of the founders and the first director for the South American Bible Institute (IBSA). One of his great joys was to have planted and pastored the Christian Cathedral Church in Downtown Buenos Aires, pastored today by his son, Rev. David Passuelo.
Not only did he serve alongside Dora as a career missionary, but also contributed to the establishment of IPHC works in Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Venezuela (alongside his friends, Charlene West and John Parker). He was a longstanding professor for CURSUM teaching across all Latin America. Brother Juan served in the precursor efforts to the WPHF alongside Bishop James D. Leggett, he participated in multiple IPHC World Conferences and always enjoyed traveling to preach, teach, translate, or break bread with his IPHC family around the world.
Pastor Juan’s heart to serve Christ’s Kingdom reached beyond his denominational family. For many years, he was the President of the Pentecostal Evangelical Fellowship of Argentina (FECEP) and he assisted in the establishment of the Argentine Alliance of Christian Evangelical Churches (ACIERA). In 1986, he was elected to serve in the leadership of the Latin-American Evangelical Fellowship (CONELA). He was a founding member (1989) and then president (1992) of the Argentine World Missions Foundation (now World Missions Network/ACIERA). For many years, Pastor Juan represented Argentina in the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF) where he also served as a speaker at a World Conference.
The memory and work of brother Juan lives and continues through his family, many friends, and co-laborers in Christ. Everyone who knew him well also knew these lines of his favorite song, 'To God be the Glory' by Andrew Crouch:"
“How can I say thanks
For all the things You've done for me?
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love to me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am
And ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee
Just let me live my life
And let it pleasing, Lord to Thee
And should I gain any praise
Let it go to Calvary
With His Blood
He has saved me
With His power
He has raised me
To God glory
For the things He has done”
I was privileged to meet and travel with Bishop Passuelo while serving as IPHC’s Chief of Staff alongside Presiding Bishop James D. Leggett. Bishop Passuelo served as the appointed representative for the Latin America continent on the World Pentecostal Holiness Fellowship Executive Committee. He also very quickly became the ‘favored’ translator for Presiding Bishop Leggett whenever we traveled in LAMCAR. We spent many hours together in both public and private settings. I am now privileged to serve alongside Max Barroso in World Missions Ministries where Max serves as the Director of The Awakening and as WMM’s interim regional director for South America. I see so much of Bishop Passuelo in Max.
I read a quote some time ago that stated, “Everyone leaves a footprint in his or her lifetime that affects generations long after we leave this world.” Wherever I travel in South America and, in the country of Argentina, I am constantly reminded of the indelible imprint that Bishop Passuelo left on the ministry fabric of that continent. He was one of the best examples of a Christian Gentleman and Stateman that I have met to-date. A prince of a man in every respect.
In 2nd Samuel, Chapter 3, King David said; “A great man and a Prince has fallen in Israel this day.” On behalf of a grateful church, we declare that “A great man and a Prince has fallen in the Church of Jesus Christ this day.”
I am confident that as you entered the gate of that Celestial City on Saturday morning, February 13th, you heard your Lord and Savior say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant….Enter into the joy of your Lord, John.’ [NKJV]
May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, and in particular, with the family of Bishop Juan [John] Victor Passuelo.
Bishop J. Talmadge Gardner
Executive Director, IPHC World Missions Ministries
