Pastor John grew up in Kentucky on a farm . . He married Mary Hedden on June 22 1968 seventeen days before he left for Viet Nam. They have been married 44 years . They have three children and have raised several more . Presently they are raising a 14 year old son named Christian Diaz- Perez .Pastor works full time in his own Lawn Business. John went to Defense Language Institute in Washington DC to learn Spanish. His Job in the Military was in Intelligence . He has lived in Cuba and on the island of Cyprus . He was raised Catholic and came to know Jesus as his savior on June 22, 1975 which was his 7th Wedding Anniversary . Learning more than 200 bible verses the first year he was a Christian, John has always had a strong desire to know Gods Word. After moving to Lake City from Homestead Florida in 2003, where he had lived for 28 years, he saw a need in the Spanish community and started a bible study in his home . Starting with only a few men, it has now become a church . In 2010 that Spanish church started an English Congregation which accounts for the unusual name . The Journey is our English name, La Esperanza, meaning Hope, is our Spanish name. Together we are on a Journey of Hope .Pastor has a heart for all the lost and the Spanish people .If you check out our photos on the Website you will see the wonderful church that has been built in Amealco Mexico . Pastor has done crusades in Honduras and preaches in small churches all over Honduras; some times as many as 16 times in 14 days . He also traveled to El Salvador visiting family of members of La Esperanza, and preaching . Next spring a trip is planned for Guatamala . If you are looking for a church that has a heart for missions, and ministries, and you want to help build a church, The Journey of La Esperanza is the church for you. The church ministers in English and Spanish .It is also a perfect church for people who are not perfect.
Brother Mike Williams
Joel Manzanares
We thank God for Joel who faithful picks up our members both on Sunday night and Wednesday
