Ministry Focus
Jose was appointed by Missions Door in 2012 to start a new Spanish-speaking church in Aurora, Colorado. He has been instrumental in starting Iglesia Real Colorado. The church exists with the purpose that each person: “Discovers the reality of Christ in their lives.” Their values as a church are to be: Relevant, through an excellent expression of worship; Engaged, through a holistic involvement in their community; Authentic, through a genuine transformation of their heart and behavior; Loyal, through a sincere dedication to Christ’s teachings.
Faith Story
Jose was born in Cuba, where he was raised with no religious influence at all, but instead, with Marxist and atheistic principles. At the age of 17, while in military service in Havana, a friend invited him to an evangelical church, where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. In 1990 Jose moved to Sancti-Spiritus, where he began his missionary work by planting a church among family members. He also began theological studies by extension. He continued as pastor of the Sancti-Spiritus church until his graduation in 1994. In April 2000 he moved to Chile, where he worked as a missionary, church planter and missions professor at a Bible institute. In August 2004 they moved to the United States. Yelioska accepted the Lord at a revival in Cuba in October, 1988. From an early age she has worked with children's ministries as a Sunday school teacher and recently as a preschool teacher.
Family
Jose married Yelioska in December 1994, and their daughters are Melissa and Malena.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Jose and Yelioska by making a financial donation using your credit or debit card.
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
U.S. Latino
Ministry location:
Colorado, United States