The Making of a Humble Fisher of Men: The Al Magdaleno Story

From Brokenness to Redemption

My name is Al Magdaleno. In 1954, at only 18 months old, I was afflicted with polio. My early years were defined by white hospital walls, endless surgeries, and the constant presence of doctors. But the physical scars were only the beginning.

I grew up adrift in a sea of insecurity and depression. With no self-esteem and no ambition, I was passed through the public school system without ever truly learning. By the time I graduated high school in 1971, I was lost. For the next decade, I bounced between dead-end jobs and minimum-wage labor. I sought escape in chronic alcoholism and drug use, a lifestyle that eventually left me homeless and living out of my car.

The Turning Point

The breaking point came in the form of a sharp, agonizing pain in my lower back. Diagnosed with displaced spinal disks, I underwent a fusion surgery that soon became severely infected. As I lay in my hospital bed at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, facing a second dangerous procedure, I had a profound spiritual encounter—an experience so deep I can only describe it as a direct visitation from God.

When I woke up in the ICU, my uncle began to speak to me about the Lord. In that moment, the pieces fell into place. I realized that the Creator of the universe—in all His majesty—was inviting me to serve Him. I had nothing to offer Him but my dysfunction and my failures, yet He wanted me anyway. Overwhelmed by His grace, I wept uncontrollably.

Six weeks later, I walked out of that hospital a free man. The chains of addiction and despair were broken. I fell in love with Jesus Christ and His Word, and my journey as a "fisher of men" began.

Introducing: Team Apostolic!

Team Apostolic is the ministry born from that redemption. We are a movement dedicated to evangelism and discipleship, helping the Lord’s flock build their lives upon a rock-solid Biblical foundation.

Our Origin

The name "Team Apostolic" arrived like a bolt of lightning. During a "clean-up party" at my home, surrounded by brothers from the church laughing and working together, the name rang out in my mind. I texted my pastor immediately; he replied, "I like it," and the mission was born!

Our Mission: Faith in Action

Through personal evangelism, we reach out to the "broken-hearted and the heavy-laden" by:

• Feeding the Homeless: Providing physical nourishment to those in need.
• Community Service: Being a visible light in our local neighborhoods.
• Active Ministry: Offering hope to those trapped in the same cycles of despair I once escaped.

Our immediate need

 Our immediate need is to provide the essential tools for learning and participation. 

• Funding for classroom equipment will create a functional and engaging space. 
• Providing uniforms ensures every student can attend school feeling prepared and equal. 
• Resources like Bibles, printing services for materials, and workbooks are crucial for academic and spiritual development.

Our Vision for the Future

Team Apostolic is currently in its infancy, but our vision is vast. We are working to establish ourselves as a major evangelistic organization across the United States. Our goal is to generate the resources necessary to fund:

• Orphanages to protect the vulnerable.
• Halfway Houses and Rehab Centers to restore the broken.
• Christian Schools to educate the next generation in truth and purpose.

We are united in service to Jesus Christ and to our fellow man. Join us as we build a foundation of faith for the world.