Adam Riojas

Pastor Adam is the founder of At The Cross church. As the Senior Pastor, he is passionate about ministry and serving God’s people. Pastor Adam’s zeal for our Savior is evident in his dedication to sharing God’s love and the Gospel with every person he encounters. His perseverance has led the team of At The Cross to stay the course on the vision that God has for His church. Without a vision the people perish.

Where there is no vision, the people perish.. 
Proverbs 29:18

Pastor Adam teaches Sunday mornings 8:00 A.M. & 10:00 A.M. and every 3rd & 4th Wednesdays at 6:30 P.M. for the midweek church service. Freedom with Adam Riojas airs every Sunday night from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. on KPRAISE Radio. His wife, Cleta oversees the women’s ministry and Youth ministries with a growing team of talented and gifted ministry teachers. Cleta is the Media and communications coordinator for At The Cross. She is the Founder of Freedom Generation Higher Education ministry.

About

Pastor Adam Riojas was born and raised in Oceanside, California. He spent his childhood and adolescent years playing sports. As an alumni of Oceanside High school and resident, he has invested in the community of Oceanside. Building relationships with those in both civic and law enforcement as well as the community that visits the Bistro at the pier. In 2016, Adam designed and constructed the building for the coffee shop, that has now been a tourist favorite and local hangout.

Pastor Adam has served 30+ years in pastoral ministry and has a passion for building the kingdom of God here on earth. Throughout his life journey, Adam has had the opportunity to work in Real Estate and later found joy in carpentry work, that has helped support the church and his family, while being obedient to God’s call and the great commission in Matthew 28 to pastor and shepherd God’s people. This obedient calling has lead him to become a Radio personality with his show, “Freedom with Adam Riojas” that airs every Sunday night from 5:00 -6:00 p.m. on KPRAISE radio FM 106.1 and AM North County 1210 San Diego. You can download “Freedom with Adam Riojas” on any of your favorite Podcasts!

The radio ministry has given pastor Adam an opportunity and passion he is has about sharing the knowledge of the saving power of Jesus Christ and the living word of God. Through his testimony and daily walk, he wants to exemplify the freedom in having a personal relationship with your Creator. Adam wants to inform listeners of their God given rights, by shining light on current worldview topics. His goal is to not only inspire you to receive everything God has for you, but to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, For it is the power of God to salvation for all who believe." (Romans 1:16)

Pastor Adam’s wife, Cleta is an Oceanside native and grew up in North County. Received her Bachelor of Arts in communications from California State University San Marcos and Masters of Arts in Strategic Communications from National University. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Strategic Media at Liberty University and is a Real Estate Broker professional in the industry. Cleta worked several years as a manager in both automotive and retail establishments as well as a fitness instructor for 10 years for both 24 hour fitness and La Fitness. Over the years she has had the opportunity to delve into Real Estate as well as small business. Cleta is the Founder of Freedom Generation Higher Education.

“As a pastor’s wife and mom it is my duty to educate my children from a Biblical worldview in an environment that values structure, honors medical
freedoms and teaches our Constitution.

Freedom Generation Higher Education was founded as an alternative for like-minded parents as myself looking to break away from a broken school system. We are North County San Diego’s EXCLUSIVE Turning Point Academy incorporating the 5C Model at our educational center.

We must teach, equip and prepare our children from a Biblical worldview so that they are able to proclaim their faith boldly and stand up against the thoughts and ideas of this world.
Nothing is of greater importance!”

Cleta Riojas

Cleta is currently a house wife and a homeschooling mom to their daughters, Bella and Talia. Cleta is dedicated and passionate about serving At The Cross church. She is elated at the honor as serving for “At The Cross Oceanside”.

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
 God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 
~Psalm 46:5

Journey

Pastor Adam met his wife Cleta while leading similar ministries at their home churches. It was a divine appointment that God had orchestrated. The encounter led to their friendship. During their friendship, they had committed to both prayer and fasting. After getting confirmation from The Lord, they were prepared for the next step in their journey; courtship. During their courtship, Adam and Cleta prayed for God’s perfect will for their lives. After much prayer and fasting, The Lord led them to unite in Holy matrimony and have been blessed with two beautiful girls, Bella and Talia along with their Golden Retriever Joy and German Sheppard Rex.

Pastor Adam Riojas began his journey as a pastor in 1992, when he got ordained as an inmate pastor at Calipatria State Prison. He was incarcerated for a crime he did not commit and spent 13 years and 8 months in prison before the California Innocence Project got him released in 2004. Adam was one of Justin Brooks first clients ever released through their California Innocence project located in San Diego, California. Check out, Adam Riojas first interview’s conducted by KUSI News and 10 News on the days following his release.

Throughout the years Adam’s story has captivated many, as it is an amazing story of survival, of hope, of faith, of redemption… and one man’s struggle to forgive the ultimate betrayal. The California Innocence project has worked relentlessly over the years to initiate law that helps innocent men and women get justice for being victims of a failed system.

The California Innocence Project investigates cases of wrongful conviction and looks for new, strong evidence of innocence. During our investigation and litigation phases, we and our clients encounter several issues that arise during the initial police investigation, during the trial, or during post-conviction proceeding. All issues point to flaws in the criminal justice system and reforms are needed and available to prevent wrongful convictions from occurring.

The California Innocence

What man meant for evil, God meant it for good. God allowed the tragedy of him being wrongfully incarcerated to draw him close to Him and to fully trust in the plan God had for his life. God had a plan not to hurt him but to prosper him, to love and nourish him. Pastor Adam’s testimony shows us that we have to trust God even when it seems impossible to get through something. Persevere and God will show you the way. Trusting God on your journey and knowing He, the creator of the universe has you and knows you by name because you are His.

"A mans heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

Today, they are blessed to be apart of the amazing things God is doing for the church, “At The Cross Oceanside” and are honored and privileged to serve alongside some great pastors and leaders on this journey God has set before this church. Come and visit sometime and meet Pastor Adam, his wife Cleta and the amazing pastors, leaders and servants “At The Cross Oceanside”