Light of the World, Assembly of God began in the year 1974 in Rochester, New York. Sister Adielsa Soto started with a small group of believers in her living room. There were a total of 9 people who gathered including her children. Soon, the group started growing and they began to meet at different residential homes. Sister Soto felt the need to bring onboard more leadership support and asked her t
hen son-in-law, Juan Carlos Molina, about affiliating the growing congregation with a Spanish Assemblies of God Church. The first service of the newly founded church took place on Seventh Street and Central Avenue. They ended up renting several locations throughout its early history, therefore parishioners referred to it as the gypsy church. Among these was a Russian church on Wilkins Street, Community Bible Church on Andrews Street, and Disciples of Christ Church on Flower Street. By God's design, Luis Daniel Hernandez, who was a newlywed with the late Isabel Hernandez, moved from the Bronx to Rochester in the year 1976. God called him to ministry in 1978. He accepted to pastor the church temporarily until a new pastor would be installed; however, God had other plans. By this time, the church had been housed in a building at 488 N Goodman St. Pastor Hernandez began diverse ministries, and outreach programs, and exponential growth has been experienced every year since then. As God would have it, Pastor Hernandez remained as Senior Pastor until his retirement in 2017! That is thirty-nine faithful years! Light of the World remained at 488 North Goodman Street for 12 years but as the church continued to grow, it was time to find a new home. They found a great temple at 200 Child St. where the church matured, and more programs, bible institute and ministries were planted. Before his retirement, Pastor Hernandez was diligently praying to the Lord to identify the man of God who would continue the great calling upon this unique and special bilingual church. His right-hand Associate Pastor, Ruben Serrano, was the man to whom the prophetic mantle was passed onto. Pastor Ruben was born in Rochester, NY, raised in Puerto Rico, and shortly after marrying, moved to the windy city (Chicago) where he served in leadership roles, as a bible institute professor, a board of trustee, youth pastor, and evangelist for 20 years before God would bring him, his wife Nilsa, and their three daughters to the city of Rochester. For the glory of God, the church continues to thrive new members continue to be added, numerous visitors attend, and many new baptisms and disciples are being made! Under his leadership and for the glory of God, the church became debt-free! As the Holy Spirit directed, after various years in pastorship, Pastor Serrano felt it was time to move to a new location. On Sunday, September 17, 2023, the church will open its new doors at a beautiful facility in the town of Greece, 3233 W Ridge Road! The story of God's faithfulness continues as the gospel of Jesus is preached and God adds to the church those who are to be saved!
