Our Visionary

Bishop Raúl González, D.Min.
December 11, 1941 - July 5, 2009

Bishop Raúl González went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 5, 2009. He was born on December 11, 1941 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He was one of seven brothers and sisters, son of Maria Luisa Villanueva and the late Pedro González. Bishop González was married in 1967 to Lady Guillermina Gongon González. They had four wonderful children, Lt. Colonel Raúl E. González, U.S. Army, Yvette Hopping, Esther and Braulio, and four grandchildren, Jade González, Jason Ricardo, Daniel Raúl and Rey David Hopping.

Bishop González was personally acquainted with the power of Jesus Christ to save and transform lives. In 1969, he was delivered from eleven years of drug addiction and saved by the power of Jesus Christ. His life was radically transformed and he received the calling to minister deliverance in Teen Challenge.

Bishop’s education and academic recognitions include degrees from Youth Challenge International Bible Institute, Manchester Community College, Logos Bible College and Graduate School. He also received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Great Commission Theological Seminary, an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters and an earned Doctorate of Ministry from Evangelical Theological Seminary, now called Biblical Life College and Seminary.

In 1993, Bishop González received a prestigious honor in our nation’s capital. He was presented with an “Achievement Against the Odds” award by the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise. He was one of seven persons to receive such recognition. The life and ministry of Bishop Raúl was successful against all odds and obstacles. Like the Apostle Paul, he was as one born out of season, for his call to the ministry and office of Bishop was not only unconventional, but indeed miraculous. He was a living testimony that with God all things are possible. He always focused on the work of the Lord with his wife “Lady Willie” by his side. One of Bishop’s favorite sayings was: “There is a treasure in the addict”.

Bishop González first came to Hartford, CT in 1971 to help start the Youth Challenge, a faith-based residential drug free program for men and women. In 1974, Bishop González became the Executive Director of Youth Challenge of Connecticut, Inc. He also served as the President of Youth Challenge International, providing leadership in the establishment and oversight of missions in Florida, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Kenya and Peru.

Bishop González had a shepherd’s heart. His vision for the City was evident in that he, along with Lady Willie, founded and pastored Glory Chapel International Cathedral in Hartford since 1979. Bishop was the founder and President of the Corinthian School of Urban Ministry in Hartford, CT, and President of the Board of Directors for Youth Challenge International School of Ministry, Wildwood, FL, all functioning under the biblical mandate expressed by the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 4:18-19.

Bishop Raúl González is also the author of his autobiographical book entitled “Raul a True Story”. The book is available in English and Spanish.

Through Bishop Raúl and Lady Willie’s ministry of deliverance, thousands of drug addicts, both men and women have been set free. May all the glory and honor go to the Lord Jesus Christ!