Today we’d like to introduce you to Israel Medina.
Israel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The church started in January 2008 in our home and after two weeks we moved to a Jewish synagogue where we rented until June 2010 that we were able to purchase the existing facilities. It was not just another church, everyone’s interest was to serve the community. The church slogan was; “By serving our neighbor we serve the Lord.” During those difficult times when the economy dropped, many families lost their jobs and homes and the homeless community increased, the church continued involved providing a hot meal for the homeless in
downtown Orlando and assisting families with food and financial assistance. We are currently assisting the Sheriff Department with community service for youth under the age of 18. We are working with the girls orphanage in Chimaltenango Guatemala, provide food to needy families in Villa Nueva, Guatemala, and also provide monthly donations for special needs kids school in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:35-40:
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
God has been too good to us; “I didn’t know anything, I was nobody, for that reason God chose me. It was never about me, it was always about God”.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been easy, we’ve had many struggles throughout the journey. We had nothing, no financial or other assistance from anyone, no group support, we just had the desire to do God’s work and to help the community.
We started at a time when the economy collapsed. The financial Institutes were not approving mortgage loans, so in order to purchase the existing facility we committed to a seven years agreement with the existing owner. After the seventh year, when we were about to lose the property in foreclosure, we found a private lender to take the mortgage at a very high interest rate, for an additional seven years, at which time we were approved for a loan with a local National Bank. There were times when the administration monthly expenses were higher than the offerings and donations coming in. The staff, including the Pastor, were all volunteer workers.
During this time my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through a double mastectomy.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic started and the congregation pulled together like never before, assisting and providing to the families affected with the virus. We worked nonstop to help the community, even if they were not members of our congregation. The church remained open throughout the pandemic, complying with the restrictions and following preventive methods.
My wife and I retired as Pastors in September 2024, but remain as members of the congregation.
We now have a younger couple as the new Pastors, Rev Eduardo and Dania Reyes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m retired from the Federal Government after 37 years of service as a Property Manager.
Two years active duty in the U. S Army.
I also served as a Volunteer Prison Chaplain for 28 years, in the Cook County Prison in Chicago, the Federal Correction Center in Guaynabo Puerto Rico, the Juvenil Correction Center in Guaynabo Puerto Rico, the County Correction Center in Bayamon Puerto Rico and the Sanford Correction Center in Florida.
My wife is retired from the US Attorney’s office after 20 years of service as a Victim & Witness coordinator.
I am most proud of being a husband to a beautiful wife for 46 years, being a father of two well-educated boys, a grandfather to three beautiful granddaughters and father in law to two beautiful daughter in laws.
I am just a servant of the God almighty and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I recognize that I only did what I had to do.
I didn’t know anything, I was nobody, for that reason God chose me. It was never about me, it is always about God.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
In October 2025 we registered with the State, as an extension to the Church, the new ministry, “Caring Heart Inc.” We are looking to continue supporting the homeless community and needy families throughout. Donations can be sent to “Caring Heart Inc.” at 975 Markham Woods Rd. Longwood, FL 32779.
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