How it all started...
In 2018, after 25 faithful years of pastoring, Pastors David and Mildred Figueroa retired from Christian Tabernacle Church—a ministry that had long been a house of worship and a place where generations of children encountered Jesus through its devoted childcare ministry.
The building was left vacant, and what had once been a place of healing and hope closed its doors. For a season, it seemed as though the legacy of ministry within those walls had come to an end.
In the midst of the pandemic, God stirred a new work. Pastors Hector and Melissa Sanchez of TDR Ministries Orlando obeyed the call to lift up a ministry and acquired the property, reopening its doors in the fall of 2020. Soon after, Pastors Vicente and Danielle Acevedo answered God’s leading and relocated from Orlando to Lorain, faithfully establishing the ministry in an unfamiliar city and laying the foundation for what God was rebuilding here in Lorain.
After years of running from the call, Pastor Reuben Figueroa—son of Pastors David and Mildred—surrendered to God and found refuge in this newly restored house, alongside his wife Amarily. In August 2021, they accepted the mantle of Lead Pastors, officially establishing Tower of Refuge Church. For over 30 years, this house has been a place of refuge for the lost, the weary, and the seeking—and continues to be so even for our own pastors, bringing them back home. This is a house of love, acceptance, and rebuilding. Our motto is simple: Welcome Home. Come to Tower of Refuge, where your presence makes this house a home.
The building was left vacant, and what had once been a place of healing and hope closed its doors. For a season, it seemed as though the legacy of ministry within those walls had come to an end.
In the midst of the pandemic, God stirred a new work. Pastors Hector and Melissa Sanchez of TDR Ministries Orlando obeyed the call to lift up a ministry and acquired the property, reopening its doors in the fall of 2020. Soon after, Pastors Vicente and Danielle Acevedo answered God’s leading and relocated from Orlando to Lorain, faithfully establishing the ministry in an unfamiliar city and laying the foundation for what God was rebuilding here in Lorain.
After years of running from the call, Pastor Reuben Figueroa—son of Pastors David and Mildred—surrendered to God and found refuge in this newly restored house, alongside his wife Amarily. In August 2021, they accepted the mantle of Lead Pastors, officially establishing Tower of Refuge Church. For over 30 years, this house has been a place of refuge for the lost, the weary, and the seeking—and continues to be so even for our own pastors, bringing them back home. This is a house of love, acceptance, and rebuilding. Our motto is simple: Welcome Home. Come to Tower of Refuge, where your presence makes this house a home.
Expanding the vision...
At Tower of Refuge Ministry, our vision is rooted in compassion, connection, and action. As we continue to grow, our heart is set on expanding our impact beyond the walls of the church and deeper into the community of Lorain. We believe ministry happens most powerfully when we meet people where they are and walk with them toward hope, healing, and wholeness.
Our vision is to help make a house a home. This means creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and valued physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through connection, outreach, and advocacy, we aim to bridge gaps and connect individuals to the resources, relationships, and support systems they need to thrive. Expanding the vision is not something we do alone. It is an invitation to the church, volunteers, partners, and the broader community to join hands in service. Together, we can bring hope to those in need, restore dignity, and reflect God’s love throughout Lorain one connection, one partnership, and one life at a time.
Our vision is to help make a house a home. This means creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and valued physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through connection, outreach, and advocacy, we aim to bridge gaps and connect individuals to the resources, relationships, and support systems they need to thrive. Expanding the vision is not something we do alone. It is an invitation to the church, volunteers, partners, and the broader community to join hands in service. Together, we can bring hope to those in need, restore dignity, and reflect God’s love throughout Lorain one connection, one partnership, and one life at a time.
Where we are headed...
Tower of Refuge Ministry is moving forward with a clear and compassionate vision for the future. With the purchase of our building, we are preparing to remodel and develop a community-centered space in the heart of Lorain, Ohio. Our goal is to expand outreach efforts that directly serve individuals and families; especially young people, by meeting practical needs, fostering meaningful connections, and creating safe, welcoming environments.
As we grow, we are committed to partnering with other churches, community organizations, schools, stakeholders, and service providers to address areas of concern throughout Lorain. This next chapter is about bringing people together, strengthening support systems, and ensuring that hope, healing, refuge, and a sense of home are accessible to all. Everything we pursue is not for recognition, but so that our city may be uplifted and transformed through unity, compassion, and love. We are committed to doing things differently not just talking about unity, but living it out through action. This vision cannot be accomplished alone; it requires all of us coming together, serving together, and building together for the good of Lorain.
As we grow, we are committed to partnering with other churches, community organizations, schools, stakeholders, and service providers to address areas of concern throughout Lorain. This next chapter is about bringing people together, strengthening support systems, and ensuring that hope, healing, refuge, and a sense of home are accessible to all. Everything we pursue is not for recognition, but so that our city may be uplifted and transformed through unity, compassion, and love. We are committed to doing things differently not just talking about unity, but living it out through action. This vision cannot be accomplished alone; it requires all of us coming together, serving together, and building together for the good of Lorain.
