Since 1974, God has been faithful to this congregation every step of the way.
1974
Juan Carlos Molina moved from New York City to Rochester. Rev. Efraín Nieves from Buffalo, NY referred him to the Soto family, who already lived here and mentioned starting a church. Carlos Molina got in touch with Adielsa Soto, and they both felt that God had brought them to Rochester to start a new work.
The first gathering was on June 21, 1974: nine people met in a house at 7th Street and Central Avenue, and held a Bible study on the 2nd chapter of Genesis. We recognize Adielsa Soto and Juan Carlos Molina as the founders of Light of the World Assembly of God in Rochester, NY.
1976
By divine design, Luis Daniel and Isabel Hernández came to the church in 1976. They persevered as members and became active in many ways: youth leaders, Sunday School superintendent, church treasurer and leader of the Women’s Ministry.
1979
For reasons beyond his control, Juan Carlos Molina had to resign as pastor. The church was left without a pastor, but Rev. Efraín Nieves agreed to oversee the work for a time, while the Hernándezes and others waited for the Assemblies of God to send a pastor.
In the fall of 1979 the church moved into the Community Bible Church building on Andrews St., and at the first service Luis and Isabel Hernández were installed by Rev. Nieves as interim workers. Luis did not feel called to be a pastor, but out of love for the work he promised to stay until the Lord sent one. We will never forget the love and generosity of the Community Bible Church congregation, who lent us their building for two and a half years.
1982
After a few years, God touched Pastor Hernández to move the congregation to another location, and in 1982 we moved to the Disciples of Christ Church building on Flower St. for a year and a half. We do not know how to thank those brothers and sisters for opening their doors to us during this time of transition.
1983
The congregation grew and needed a building, but our finances were limited. God sent Rev. Leo Rosado, and one Sunday morning $18,000 was raised in pledges. At that time the church had only about 30 members, most of them unemployed, but we took a step of faith and God responded.
That money was the down payment on our first building, the Siesta Sleep Shop, which we bought in 1983 at 488 North Goodman St. and occupied for 12 years.
1995
On October 6, 1995, we finished paying off the mortgage on the building at 488 N. Goodman St., a historic moment for our church. We waited for God to lead us to a larger facility. Our search went on for more than a year, but we knew God had a special place for us.
1996
Part of this vision was fulfilled when God allowed us to buy the temple at 200 Child St. in July 1996. We held our first service on August 30 and inaugurated the temple on October 5, 1996. Since then, God has fulfilled many of the prophecies He gave us and has given us a great harvest of new souls.
2016
On June 4, 2016, Rev. Luis D. Hernández retired as pastor of Light of the World after 38 years. On June 11, 2016, Rev. Rubén Serrano and First Lady Nilsa Serrano were received as the new pastors.
2023
God has used Rev. Serrano and the church has grown greatly, so much that the Child St. building was getting too small. In December 2022, God presented Rev. Serrano with the opportunity to buy another temple, in Greece, NY. He prayed and presented the project to the Assembly, which approved it.
On July 28, 2023, the purchase of the temple at 3233 W. Ridge Rd., Greece, NY was completed. After several months of remodeling and preparation, the church moved and held its first service on September 17, 2023.
Ebenezer: thus far the Lord has helped us.
God has been more than faithful and good, and we have seen how all His promises have been fulfilled, and we are still waiting on others. Let us continue working together to fulfill God’s great commission.