Pastor Melquias Olivio is the planter and Senior Pastor of Essence Church in Southwest Florida and serves as a Regional Superintendent within the Free Methodist Church of America. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, he moved to the United States with his family in 1998, where his life and calling began to take shape through the local church.
Before stepping into full-time ministry, Melquias served for over 15.5 years in law enforcement with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. During that time, he faithfully lived a bi-vocational life, balancing the demands of public service with a growing pastoral calling. In a defining season of obedience, he made the decision to leave his career in law enforcement to fully pursue what God had placed in his heart — building the local church and equipping people to live on mission.
Melquias is the planter and Senior Pastor of Essence Church, a bilingual and multi-generational church committed to helping people know God, find community, and live with purpose. Under his leadership, the church has grown into a vibrant expression of faith, marked by evangelism, discipleship, and a strong emphasis on the presence of God.
He is deeply passionate about developing leaders, mentoring the next generation, and mobilizing the church to reach people beyond its walls. His leadership extends beyond the local church as he works closely with pastors and leaders across the region, strengthening churches and supporting new church plants.
Melquias is married to his wife, Kelcia, who serves alongside him in ministry. Together, they are raising their children and building a life centered on faith, family, and the calling of God.
His life message is centered on obedience, surrender, and the belief that when we fully say yes to God, He will lead us into a life of impact far beyond what we could have planned on our own.
