About

Vision

To transform our city and the nations with the love and power of God,
through people who have understood their identity and purpose.

Values

Adventurous

We see challenges as opportunities for growth and expansion. Change is part of our cultural DNA.

Family Focused

We are a family of believers, not simply a building or destination. We believe families can change the world.

Joyful

We serve a loving and creative God. In His presence, joy is sure to follow.

Founders

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Apostle Ben and Teresa Paz:

Bienvenido (Ben) and Teresa Paz are the Apostolic leaders of the Words of Life family of churches. Married in 1993, they immediately moved to New York from the Dominican Republic where they were both born. They founded and have been the senior pastors at Word’s of Life since its inception nearly 30 years ago. What started as a group of young people seeking the Lord in a Washington Heights apartment’s living room, today is a congregation well over a thousand strong, and has expanded its influence into locations such as: New York, New Jersey, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and many others around the nation and the world. The apostles are also associated with apostolic networks such as WANI, and UNGE, that help carry out the mission of making God’s Eternal Purpose known around the world. Apostles Ben and Teresa Paz dedicate their life to seeing the life of Christ expressed in themselves, and in every person, church, and nation they have the honor of touching and walking with.

Both of the apostles have composed written works, with Teresa being the author of “Diary of a Hungry Heart” and “He Is My Good,” and Ben being the author of “A Blessed Life.”

After nearly 29 years of marriage, the apostles greatly enjoy each other’s company, and always jump at the opportunity to spend time together, or with their children; Laura, Daniel, and daughter in law Esther. They are deeply committed to spending time with family and with their team whenever the opportunity arises. They reside just outside of New York City with their daughter Laura, and their two dogs, Fry and Bender (yes, Futurama).

Beliefs

We believe…

There is one true God— a Creator of all things, who is loving, just and perfect.

God exists in relationship, in the form of three persons: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. He invites us to be in a relationship with both Him and a family of believers.

We are all in need of redemption, only found through a relationship with Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but when we place our faith in Him, and confess Him as our Lord and Savior, we are saved by grace.

The Bible is the infallible Word of God, which serves as our guide for daily life.

Water baptisms are a symbol of our commitment to God and a new beginning; where our sins are forgiven and erased, and we are renewed by Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit equips believers with gifts for the edification of the body of Christ.

Communion is open to all who believe in Him, performed regularly as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and His promise to return for us.