Raul Gonzalez, D.Min.

Raul Gonzalez, D. Min. was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He is one of seven brothers and sisters, son of Maria Luisa Villanueva and the late Pedro Gonzalez. His formative years were spent in Puerto Rico and New York City. Dr. Gonzalez has been married for 37 years to First Lady Guillermina Gongon Gonzalez. They have four wonderful children, Major Raul Gonzalez Jr. US Army, Yvette Hopping, Esther and Braulio, and they have three Grandchildren, Jade Gonzalez, Jason Ricardo and Daniel Raul Hopping.

He is 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. Having completed the Teen Challenge Discipleship Training Program, in Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, he graduated with academic honors from Teen Challenge Institute of Missions, New York, now known as Youth Challenge International Bible Institute in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. In 1971, Dr. Gonzalez traveled to Vietnam as part of an U.S. Armed Forces Drug Education Specialist Team to share the life-changing message that there is a positive cure for drug addiction.

In 1973, he again traveled to South East Asia under contract by the Pentagon to teach drug education classes to our Armed Forces and their families in Thailand, Japan, and the Diegos Island, in the Indian Sea. In 1979, he graduated with an Associate of Science Degree from Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT. He received a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in 1986 and a Master of Theological Studies in 1987, both from Logos Bible College and Graduate School, Miami Fl. Dr. Gonzalez has two Honorary Degrees: a Doctor of Divinity from the Great Commission Theological Seminary, Bowling Green, GA., and a Doctor of Humane Letters, from The Evangelical Seminary, Dixon, MO. He has also a Doctor of Ministry from the Evangelical Theological Seminary, Dixon, MO., in June of 1993. That same Year Dr. Gonzalez was also awarded an "Achievement Against The Odds" award by The National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise in Washington, DC, headed by Robert L. Woodson. Dr. Gonzalez has also served, for over twenty years as a Chaplain to the city of Hartford Police Department and served on the City of Hartford Mayor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Dr. Gonzalez first came to Hartford, CT. in 1971 to help start the Youth Challenge Men’s Home, a Christ Centered drug free program. He then went back to finish his studies at the Teen Challenge Institute of Missions, NY. After graduating he traveled extensively doing missions work. In 1974, Dr. Gonzalez returned to Connecticut and became the Executive Director of Youth Challenge of Greater Hartford, Inc., where he continues to minister. He also serves as President of Youth Challenge International, providing leadership in the establishment and oversight of missions in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Venezuela and Kenya.

Dr. Gonzalez has a shepherd’s heart. He is founder and senior pastor of Glory Chapel International Cathedral, Hartford, CT., 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: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoner and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

Dr. Gonzalez continues to reach the poor, the drug addicted, the prisoner, and the outcast with the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Gonzalez has a love and vision to reach cities with the gospel, taking his directive from God’s word through Joshua, "Shout, for the Lord has given you the city." (Joshua 6:16). His ministry encourages others to reach, teach and serve those in need. The helped become the helpers and the mission grows from transformed individuals to stronger families, without doubt an effective impact on the urban environment. Through Dr. Gonzalez’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!

Truly, the life and ministry of Dr. Gonzalez has been successful against all odds and obstacles. Like the Apostle Paul, he is one born out of season, for his call to the ministry and office of Bishop has been not only unconventional, but indeed miraculous. Dr. Gonzalez is a living testimony that with God all things are possible.

Dr. Gonzalez is also the author of his autobiography, "Raul A True Story", available in English and Spanish.

 

 

 

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