Our Church
Our Pastors – Joel and Nilsa Rivera
The life of Pastor Joel Rivera took a significant turn in October 2008 when he decided to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ. This marked the beginning of a faith journey that would completely transform his existence. In 1996, he met his beloved wife, Nitza Rivera, and in 2008 they joined their lives in marriage, starting together a mission of faith and service.
Driven by a passion to grow in his spiritual journey, Pastor Joel dedicated himself to deepening his understanding of God’s Word through discipleship in his local church in 2009. That same year, he became a certified teacher of God’s Word, enabling him to serve his community with wisdom and leadership.
In 2010, Pastor Joel began his formal theological studies at Maná Theological School, where he demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, graduating with honors as the top of his class in 2013. His unwavering commitment to God’s calling led him to take on various roles within the church, each reflecting his heart for ministry and his desire to share the teachings of Christ with others.
Pastor Joel Rivera and his wife, First Lady Nitza Rivera, are examples of faith and service, lovingly dedicated to God and our community.
Pastor Joel Rivera and his wife Nilsa celebrated with their family the long-awaited arrival of Jamari, along with their daughter Cecely, their son Nathan, and their grandchildren Jeremiah and Jordan.
As a Discipleship Teacher in 2013, Pastor Joel dedicated himself to guiding others in their spiritual growth. His passion for education and the Gospel continued to shine when he took on the role of Education Director, fostering a vibrant learning community committed to the teachings of Christ.
From 2016 to 2019, Pastors Joel and Nitza Rivera served as co-pastors, leading their congregation with vision and compassion. Joel also served as the men’s district leader for Zone 2 in the Southeast Hispanic Region of the Church of God denomination, further expanding his influence and impact within the church community.
Throughout his journey, Pastor Joel has been blessed with the unwavering support of his wife, Nitza, and together they have raised two children, Cecely Fonseca and Nathan Fonseca. They are also proud grandparents of four wonderful grandchildren—Jeremías, Jordan, Jamari, and Jameail—and two great-grandchildren, Mykel and Mekhi, who fill their lives with joy and inspiration.
Pastors Joel and Nitza have a passionate heart for the salvation of souls and the spiritual growth of believers. Together, they are committed to guiding others toward a deeper relationship with Christ. Their unwavering passion for ministry, profound love for souls, and dedication to advancing the Kingdom of God continue to inspire and uplift all who have the blessing of crossing their path.
Our Belief
We are a church that believes in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, guided by the Bible, which is the Word of God.
Our Mission
Committed to our community by strengthening and empowering families, both physically and spiritually.
Our Vision
To expand throughout the city of Kissimmee, bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Spirit and power of Pentecost.
Our Statement of Faith
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Church of God has adopted the following Statement of Faith as its official and foundational expression of doctrine.
We believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible, the infallible Word of God.
We believe in one eternal God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of the Father as our intercessor.
We believe that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and that repentance is commanded by God and necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
We believe that justification, regeneration, and the new birth are accomplished through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
We believe in sanctification as a subsequent act to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Jesus, the Word of God, and by the Holy Spirit.
We believe that holiness is God’s standard of living for His people.
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which follows a clean heart.
We believe that speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
We believe in water baptism by immersion, and that all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that divine healing is provided for all through Christ’s atonement.
We believe in observing the Lord’s Supper and the washing of the saints’ feet.
We believe in the premillennial second coming of Jesus: first, to resurrect the righteous dead and rapture the living saints; second, to reign on the earth for a thousand years.
We believe in the bodily resurrection, eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.
