Focus
Lázaro Barcena is the pastor of Oakleaf Hispanic Church, located in Orange Park, Florida, United States, where he currently serves by providing spiritual guidance to his congregation and developing a ministry focused on the holistic restoration of young people and families. In addition to his pastoral work, he serves in the area of counseling, integrating biblical principles with tools from clinical psychology and mental health. His primary focus is to accompany people experiencing emotional crises, family conflicts, and processes of spiritual transformation, responding to the real needs of the Hispanic community in its specific context.
Journey
His calling to ministry stems from a deep conviction to serve God and others from a pastoral and restorative perspective. Over the years, he has invested in his training in theology, clinical psychology, and Christian counseling, preparing himself to offer more comprehensive and effective support. His experience has been marked by close work with young people facing emotional challenges, the absence of father figures, and difficulties in their personal development, as well as with families in need of guidance and healing. On one occasion, he had the opportunity to accompany a young man who was going through a deep emotional crisis and engaging in self-destructive behaviors; through discipleship, counseling, and constant support, this young man experienced a significant transformation, restoring his spiritual life and family relationships and finding purpose in God. These kinds of experiences have further affirmed his calling to ministry.
Lázaro’s ministry has been characterized by a practical approach, where biblical teaching is connected to people’s daily lives and personal struggles. The Oakleaf Hispanic Church has also expanded its impact on the local Hispanic community by offering completely free English classes as part of its commitment to the holistic development of immigrant families. Additionally, it has supported churches in Cuba by sending donations of food, clothing, and medicine. Furthermore, they will soon be launching missionary initiatives, including sending school supplies to children in the Dominican Republic.
He seeks to expand the reach of his ministry and establish a support base that will allow him to devote more time to pastoral ministry and the development of programs focused on emotional and spiritual health. The goal is to raise a generation that is healthy, firm in its faith, and committed to God.