Sometimes you walk into a church expecting to attend a gathering—and instead, you witness the heart of the Gospel in motion. That is exactly what our time at THE WORD OF GOD Church in Melrose Park, IL felt like.
FOCUS Ministries was blessed to spend an evening on August 28, 2026 with a vibrant community of approximately 75 men, women, and children who came together in fellowship, encouragement, and love. The atmosphere was filled with connection, compassion, and a genuine desire to serve one another.
During the evening, Evelyn Colon, Victim Advocate with FOCUS Ministries, shared a brief personal testimony and introduced the ministry’s work with women and families experiencing domestic violence. She spoke about the hope, encouragement, education, support, and practical resources FOCUS Ministries provides to those navigating the difficult journey of abuse, separation, and rebuilding their lives. Our heart is to remind survivors that they are not alone—and that there is hope beyond their circumstances.
We also extend a heartfelt thank‑you to Javier Gonzalez for the way he faithfully loves and serves his community. Through the church’s open food bank each Friday night, individuals and families are welcomed, supported, and cared for in meaningful, practical ways. It is a beautiful expression of Christ’s love lived out.
Javier shared these words that capture the heart behind the invitation:
“I asked FOCUS Ministries to come and share their resources because we love the people and want to supply them with every resource available to help them on their journey to full restoration as our Lord Jesus Christ would have it.”
There was something profoundly moving about witnessing people come together sharing what they have, caring for one another, and making sure no one is forgotten. It felt like the Book of Acts unfolding before our eyes.
Acts describes a community of believers who shared, gave, supported, and ensured needs were met. What we witnessed at THE WORD OF GOD Church reflected that same spirit of generosity, compassion, fellowship, and service.
This is what happens when faith becomes action. This is what happens when a church opens its doors—not only to worship, but to serve. And this is what happens when people choose to love their community well.
FOCUS Ministries is deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with churches and leaders who understand that hope is not merely spoken—it is demonstrated.
We are thankful for THE WORD OF GOD Church, for Javier Gonzalez, and for everyone who helped make this evening such a meaningful and memorable experience.
JAVIER GONZALEZ
Thank you for your interest in learning more about our church and food pantry ministry. I’d like to share a brief look at our history, our mission, and the vision that guides us.
Our church has been part of Melrose Park, IL for about 45 years. It began when our founding pastor, originally from Cuba and working as a dentist in Lombard, felt called by God to start a church. My family arrived a few years later, around 1986, and I grew up in this congregation until my early teens. After many years away and living a destructive lifestyle, the Lord rescued me in 2005. I surrendered my life to Christ and returned to the church that had shaped my childhood.
None of us imagined we would one day operate a food pantry of this size. The ministry began during the COVID‑19 shutdown, when we started handing out simple paper bags with soup and cookies. God grew that small beginning into a large outreach—at one point distributing hundreds of boxes of food weekly and renting a 26‑foot truck for nearly two years. We later began receiving donations from Sam’s Club, Costco, and Amazon Fresh, allowing our volunteers to sort and prepare food by hand for the families we serve.
Evangelism has always been central to this work. In the early days, I preached from the back of the truck to those waiting in line. Today, families come inside the church, where they hear the gospel before receiving their groceries. Our commitment remains the same: to faithfully preach the unaltered Word of God, trusting its power to transform lives.
This ministry has breathed new life into our church. Our members have embraced it wholeheartedly, and many who first came for food are now part of our church family—serving as ushers, volunteers, and ministry leaders. Our pantry’s name, Despensa El Verbo de Dios (“The Word of God Food Pantry”), reflects our mission to feed both body and soul.
Thank you again for your interest in our ministry and the families we are blessed to serve.