This month we celebrate Latino Heritage Month, a time to honor the history, resilience, and creativity of Latin voices. In times marked by both challenge and hope, these stories remind us of the strength found in community and the beauty of cultures woven together. Join us as we lift the voices, gifts, and legacies that continue to shape our collective story. In this post, we share the vision of a new church plant in New York led by a Latina pastor committed to justice, healing, and community transformation.
On September 27, 2025, we will officially launch Dunamis Life Covenant Church (DLCC) in the Castle Hill area of the Bronx. This is more than just a church; it’s a call to action. In these uncertain times, DLCC was founded to equip and mobilize our community to resist injustice, confront broken systems, and embody God’s liberation. We are here to set captives free and seek Christ-centered justice, inspired by our seed verse, Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
A Tale of Two Callings
As a Latina pastor serving in the vibrant and diverse New York City, I have always focused my ministry on our urban community, which has a long history of marginalization. A lot of our work has been about guiding our community toward the mind and heart of Christ. We teach our neighbors to understand their identity in Christ, to find inner healing, and to abide in his presence so they can move in his authoritative power. We believe that with Christ’s power, God will make changes here on earth—changes that bring freedom, justice, and restoration.
This mission is beautifully intertwined with my other calling as a state-licensed social worker. I teach people what systemic oppression looks like and how we can collectively create change on a macro level. The Holy Spirit inspires these teachings, fostering an intrinsic desire and providing the knowledge to make a difference.
Pivoting in the Face of Fear
Recently, we have seen a rise in fear within the Latin community due to policies that specifically target us. This has forced us to pivot how we approach ministry. When planning community outreaches, for example, we now make sure to connect with city officials and community-based immigration organizations to safeguard our congregants. We are committed to being knowledgeable about the tools needed to navigate social injustice and providing those tools to our community. At DLCC, we empower our people with resources through strategic partnerships, ensuring that our congregation is informed of their rights.
The core of our teaching is always Christ-centered, and it’s exactly what is needed in this season. It enables us to move with empathy, offer hope, have faith, and seek justice. We do not allow fear to paralyze us; instead, we let our faith in Christ move us toward action and transformation. This journey is not without its challenges, but seeing our people rise with newfound courage and understanding their power in Christ is a testament to his unwavering love and justice.
A version of this article first appeared in Freedom Friday from Love Mercy Do Justice.
