Husband and Wife Team Celebrate 40th Pastoral Anniversary

On Friday, August 3, pastors Juanita and Jose L. Lopez of Iglesia Ciudad De Refugio were awarded numerous citation and were honored by their congregation for their 40 years of service. The celebration also included a ribbon cutting, rededicating the church and its mission in serving the community. Founded in 1966, Iglesia Ciudad De Refugio, was the first Hispanic Church in Glen Cove. Originally named Fuente de Salvación, the little church began in the Orchard neighborhood, but soon moved to their current location at 47 Cottage Row. It was on August 6, 1978, that the husband and wife pastoral team of Juanita and Jose L. Lopez came to Glen Cove to serve the church as interim pastors. While the pastors had never heard of Glen Cove, they were committed to serving God and the community for the temporary appointment. As the saying goes, “Man plans and God laughs.” God had a bigger plan for the pastors and their young family. They were invited to stay and serve the church. Thus began a journey of caring and giving that has continued for forty years.

Under the capable and steadfast leadership of the pastors, the church has grown and thrived. Through the work of the church they have helped many with financial challenges and regularly conduct food drives to help the needy. The pastors, both of whom are ordained Assemblies of God ministers, are not only committed to meeting the needs of the local community, but also to reaching out globally. They have been to different countries -- preaching the gospel and helping to build a church in El Salvador; paying for the rental of a church in Nicaragua; and, going to an orphanage in Guatemala with vitamins and medicals supplies for the children. The Dominican Republic has also received medical supplies from the church and Pastor Jose L.Lopez took a doctor with him to the country so that the children could get free medical exams. Additionally, Pastor Jose L. Lopez is an Evangelist and was able to travel to Cuba two years ago where he preached and “adopted” another church. The Cuban church continues to receive financial assistance from Iglesia Ciudad De Refugio.

There are many stores that can be shared demonstrating the gifts that Juanita and Jose L. Lopez have brought to the church and the community over the past 40 years, but as one member of the congregation shared, “The most striking aspect of the pastors is that they are humble and always give God all of the Glory.” As noted by Rev. Juanita Lopez, “God has made all of this possible by giving us strength and by putting the right people alongside us to help with the mission of the church.” Revs. Juanita and Jose L. Lopez look forward to continuing to work for the community and to providing a place of refuge and blessing to the people of Glen Cove and beyond.

Photo Caption: Citations were presented by elected officials, by the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce and on behalf of the Community Easter Dawn Committee to Revs. Janita and Jose Lopz for their 40 years of service. Pictured from L-R: Josue and Yeny Correa (Co-Pastors at Iglesia Ciudad De Refugio), Maxine Cappel Mayreis (Chamber of Commerce Board Member), Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine, City Councilman Michael Zangri, Rev. Jose Lopez (Pastor at Iglesia Ciudad De Refugio), Congressman Tom Suozzi, Rev. Juanita Lopez (Pastor at Iglesia Ciudad De Refugio), Lisa Cohn (President of the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce), City Councilwoman Marsha Silverman, Thomas Bunger (Treasurer of the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce), Elder Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews (Chairman of Committee for the Community Easter Dawn Service), Brenda Lopez (Daughter of the Pastors and Translator), County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton.