Iglesia Menonita Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, Florida, USA)
The Iglesia Luz y Verdad (Light and Truth Church) in Lakeland, Florida, USA was founded about 2002; it was incorporated in September 2002. The church began as a result of a joint effort between the College Hill Mennonite Church in Tampa, and the Southeast Mennonite Conference.
The first pastor was Artemio De Jesus. The small congregation initially met in rented facilities in a Baptist church. In March 2014, the church was a small congregation of about 30 people. The congregation purchased an abandoned warehouse for $95,000. In order to pay for the building and renovations, the congregation collected a down payment of $9,500 from its members. It also raised $40,000 for remodeling and construction. Labor, valued at $30,000, was donated by church members. The church also received a grant in the amount of $17,425 from JoinHands, a resource-sharing ministry of Mennonite Men. The abandoned warehouse was transformed into a wonderful worship place. The image of the neighborhood became more positive after the presence of the new church.
The community where the church is located was low-income with many basic needs. The Hispanic population was very diverse, with the majority from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. These demographics were also represented in the church.
In 2011 the congregation changed its name to include its denomination, and thus became the Iglesia Menonita Luz y Verdad.
In 2021 the congregation was part of the Mosaic Mennonite Conference. The minister was Lydia De Jesus.
Bibliography
Annual reports filed with the State of Florida. Web. 21 July 2021. http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/corporationsearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName&directionType=PreviousList&searchNameOrder=IGLESIAMENONITALUZYVERDAD%20N020000070061&aggregateId=domnp-n02000007006-03a72d6f-fe7c-4e44-95ea-cb5d58c8ab27&searchTerm=IGLESIA%20MARANATA%20INC.&listNameOrder=IGLESIAMARANATA%20N090000008290
"Congregational Profile: Iglesia Menonita Luz y Verdad." Mosaic Mennonite Conference. 19 October 2020. Web. 22 July 2021. https://mosaicmennonites.org/2020/10/19/congregational-profile-iglesia-menonita-luz-y-verdad/.
Additional Information
Address: 1330 East Gary Rd., Lakeland, Florida 33801
Phone: 863-513-6767
Website:
Denominational Affiliations: Mosaic Mennonite Conference
Pastoral Leaders at the Iglesia Menonita Luz y Verdad
| Name | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Artemio De Jesus | 2002-2012 |
| Lydia De Jesus | 2012-present |
Membership at the Iglesia Menonita Luz y Verdad
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| Author(s) | Samuel J Steiner |
|---|---|
| Date Published | July 2021 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Steiner, Samuel J. "Iglesia Menonita Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, Florida, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. July 2021. Web. 25 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Iglesia_Menonita_Luz_y_Verdad_(Lakeland,_Florida,_USA)&oldid=172035.
APA style
Steiner, Samuel J. (July 2021). Iglesia Menonita Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, Florida, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 25 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Iglesia_Menonita_Luz_y_Verdad_(Lakeland,_Florida,_USA)&oldid=172035.
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