Our Founders
Reverend's Felipe & Luisa Rodriguez

Reverend Felipe V. Rodriguez was born on May 16, 1914 in the city of Ponce, P.R. His life long partner, Reverend M. Luisa Rodriguez was born on April 9, 1916. They met in 1932 in the city of Arecibo, PR. They were united in holy matrimony, by the Pastor of The Defenders of Faith Church, Reverend Francisco Rodriguez, in Ponce, P.R on June 24th 1933. On June 13, 1934 they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Rebecca, who has been a great blessing in their lives.

Brother Felipe began working as a Marine Merchant on June 2, 1938 which then prompted Sister Luisa and their daughter to move to the city of New York. In May of 1939 they reconciled their lives with the Lord at Damascus Christian Church, which was located at 853 Dawson Street in the Bronx. Their Pastors at the time were Reverend Antero T. Jackson and his lovely wife Sister Chavela, whom were part of the Latin American Council of Churches, under the leadership of Reverend Guillen.

Upon the exit of Reverend Jackson from the Church in Tejas, P.R., Bro. Pedro Baez was sent as a replacement. He remained for a few weeks and then was replaced by Bro. Martinez. At the time, Brother Felipe, who was serving as Church General Secretary, informed the General Council’s office that the church wanted to have a local Pastor lead them. From that came the unanimous decision to install Brother Francisco Rosado, better known as Bro. Roberto. His wife, Sister Leo, who at the time cooperated with the Valley Church of Westchester, was called in to work arduously along Brother Roberto and the small congregation.

On June 28th, 1952 Becky Rodriguez was wedded to Rafael Cajigas and they were blessed with two daughters and a son. They now have three grandchildren, which are consequently the great-grand kids of Bro. Felipe and Sister Luisa. The Cajigas family are now the Pastors of the Open Bible Church in Miami and their granddaughter Mary Ann and her husband Rev. Balance are Youth Pastors in North Carolina.

After some families from the Bronx Damascus Church moved out to Queens, the Rosado Pastors thought it prudent, wise and the will of the Lord to send the Rodriguez family to begin prayer services in the home of Bro. Efrain and Rafaela Arce whom resided at 132-12 Foch Blvd. After a time they were joined by Bro Roberto Cruz and his wife Paquita , Bro. Oscar and Betty Arce, Tonito and Hilda Arce, and finally the Rodriguez’s daughter Becky and her husband.

By 1954 the small gathering had grown quite a bit with the joining of Bro. Primitivo & Vina Vega, Bro. Mencho and Asira Nieves, Bro. Raul and Milagros Cazaux, to name a few. Consequently, the need for a local church building arose and they were able to purchase their first property at 142-56 Rockaway Blvd, in So. Ozone Park, Queens. There were other families that later came to join in the effort and cooperation of the new mission. Some of these were the Andino family, the Baquero family, the Madera family and the Rivera’s. It was in 1969 that the Temple and pastoral house was purchased.

Pastor Rodriguez adopted and brought Carmen Lydia from P.R. when she was only 12 years old and she has been a daughter to them throughout the years, along with her brothers and sisters Angel, Freddie, Norma and Alba. Carmen Lydia and her husband have a son named Tuto whom the Rodriguez’s love as their own grandson. In 1978 the Rodriguez’s adopted another daughter named Dinorah.

Bro. Felipe Rodriguez retired from his secular job at IBM after 27 years of service and dedicated himself to the full ministry, where he remained with his wife until January 16, 1988. The Rodriguez’s lived their retirement years in the state of Florida, where she still resides.


Reverend's Hector & Mirita Del Valle

On the 15th day of February 1990, with much expectation, our church received the new pastoral family, composed of his beautiful wife Mirita, and his children, Daribel and Hector Jr. Although Mirita was not fond of the "Pastor's wife" idea, she however accepted the will of God and opened her heart to the ministry. She has been an ideal wife and exemplary mother. Her smile, understanding and personal attention to every member and visitor of our congregation have manifested qualities worthy of a pastor's wife. Tito and Daribel, we obedient and very talented children. They quickly grew-up and left to follow God's plan for their particular lives and are presently living in the State of Florida. Their lives have wonderfully honored their parent's ministry.

For 18 years Pastor Del Valle, has shepherded our church faithfully and responsibly. We have felt the sensitive beat of a shepherd's heart at the needs of the people. He has manifested wisdom in making decisions, sensibility in rectifying problems, and has been a most caring counselor. Through the years, a great harvest of souls have been reached and ministered to in the power of God's word and spirit. We enjoyed a beautiful spirit of fellowship, and have felt confident in the fine administration, unity of peace and respect of our syndicated, deacons and associate pastors, as they have worked hand in hand with our pastor towards the wholesome growth of our church. we have also enjoyed a competent leadership that our pastor has managed to prepare and efficiently work in the different departments of our church. We are proud of the assurance our pastor has shown in sharing his ministry with a group of specialized ministers that have developed under his ministry. Approximately 15 ministers have gone through his mentoring, and each one has shown respect, love and appreciation for the privilege given to them to minister along his side. Our children and youth have grown and developed in leadership, thanks to our pastor's understanding and appreciation of family values as well as the frailty and struggles of today's families. Our senior brothers and sisters have felt support, encouragement and love as he has made possible that their needs, as well as the needs of our community be facilitated and met, through the leadership of our church. Our church had witnessed and experienced numerical, spiritual, social and economic growth during our Pastor's leadership. It is without a doubt that his ministry has blessed and touched each and every one of our lives. We are deeply grateful for this man of God and his family; for their faith, compassion and leadership in the great undertaking of accepting God's calling to ministry, and the commitment to accomplish it well.

After 18 faithful years of service, Pastor Del Vale retired from the ministry on June 15th, 2008.

Reverend Carlos and Rebecca Medina

Rev Carlos Medina was born on September 20, 1970 in New York. He is the youngest son of Manuel and Nelly Medina, and the brother of Manuel Jr. and Victor Medina. When he was three years old his mother came to know Jesus as her personal savior and she, along with her children , began to attend Damascus Christian Church in South Ozone Park, which is now Elohim Christian Church. As a child Pastor Carlos grew and was an active participant of the Christian Cadets, the children's ministry at the time. He was taught under the leadership of Sis. Irene Baquero, Angel Rivera and many other dedicated children’s ministers. He also was influenced by the founding Pastors of Elohim Christian Church, Rev. Felipe and Luisa Rodriguez. Their leadership and the teaching and care of the children's ministry left a mark in his life. Since the tender age of three he has been part of this church and has always had a heart to serve.

As Pastor Carlos grew older he continued to service his church. He served as the church bus driver for many years, as a Sunday School teacher and as an available helper to the Pastor. He began studying the Word of God at the Spanish Eastern District Bible Institute and graduated in 1993. As he prepared himself he began his ministerial ministry within the youth, he was able to develop his leadership skills as the Brooklyn Sectional President and the Queens Sectional President. He also worked as a District leader for many years. It was at a District Leader's Retreat when Pastor Carlos received the specific call from God upon his life.

On May 4th 1996 Pastor Carlos and Rebecca were married. They have always both been involved in church ministry since their teenage years. They have two beautiful Daughters Eden and Rachel who are the apple of their parents eyes.

Pastor Becky is currently a teacher at South Huntington School District. She had graduated from St. John with a Bachelors and a Master in the field of education. She is also a graduate of the Spanish Eastern District Bible Institute and currently desire to finish a degree in Theological Studies.

In 1997 Rev. Del Valle was led by the Lord to ask Pastor Carlos to serve the church as Co-Pastor. During this time he was mentored and greatly influenced by Rev. Del Valle and his ministry. Rev. Del Valle has not only been his mentor but also his friend. In 1998, Pastor Carlos had the honor of becoming an ordained minister of the Spanish Eastern District of the Assemblies of God. In 2006 the Lord was gracious and allowed him to serve the church as a full time Co-Pastor. He took a step of faith and left the NYC transit Authority for whom he had been working for the last 13 years. The Lord has been more than sufficient to him and his family.

In 2006 Pastor Carlos had the blessing of graduating from Nyack College with his Bachelors Degree in Pastoral Theology and a minor in counseling.

Pastor Carlos & Rebecca Medina have taken the challenge of shepherding God's people. It is our prayer that the spirit of unity, love and worship that has characterized our church all these years will continue to prevail throughout their ministry.