The story of Isabel Mestre and Isabel De La Cruz
The story of Isabel Mestre and Isabel de la Cruz is a powerful testimony of faith, resilience, and women’s leadership in ministry. Their journey reflects not only the struggles faced by immigrants but also the transformative impact that courageous leadership can have on an entire community.
Like many immigrants, both women experienced the emotional and social complexities that accompany the decision to leave one’s homeland. Immigration often involves navigating a mixture of fear, uncertainty, and hope while confronting the painful reality of leaving behind family, culture, and familiarity. In the United States, immigrants frequently face language barriers, financial hardship, social isolation, and the challenges of navigating unfamiliar legal systems. Yet within these struggles, many also discover new opportunities to serve, lead, and build community.
For Isabel Mestre and Isabel de la Cruz, immigration was not only a journey of survival but also a calling to ministry.
Isabel Mestre left Cuba under difficult and uncertain circumstances when the political situation in her homeland became increasingly oppressive. Together with her husband and young son, she made the difficult decision to leave the country in search of freedom and a more secure future. Upon arriving in the United States, she encountered many of the struggles common to newly arrived immigrants, including financial uncertainty and the emotional strain of beginning life in an unfamiliar land.
Furthermore, Isabel de la Cruz’s journey to the United States took place during the historic 1980 Mariel boatlift, when thousands of Cubans left their homeland seeking political and economic freedom. Like many others who arrived during that time, she faced the challenge of rebuilding life in a new country while preserving her cultural identity and faith.
Years later, the paths of these two women crossed in the Keyport area of New Jersey, where they developed a friendship grounded in shared faith and shared experiences as immigrants. As they settled into their new community, they quickly recognized an important need: there was no Spanish-speaking church or spiritual gathering available for Latino families in the area.
Rather than accepting this absence, these two women responded with faith and initiative. They began opening their homes to host prayer gatherings and small spiritual meetings with friends and neighbors who were also navigating the challenges of immigration. What began as a small circle of prayer soon grew into a larger community of individuals seeking spiritual support and fellowship in their native language.
Recognizing the growing need for pastoral leadership and a dedicated space for worship, Isabel Mestre and Isabel de la Cruz approached the local United Methodist Church and spoke with the pastor serving the congregation at that time. With openness and hospitality, the church welcomed the group and allowed them to gather for weekly prayer meetings. These gatherings marked the beginning of what would become the first Spanish-speaking Methodist spiritual community in the area.
Yet the vision of these women extended beyond weekly prayer meetings. With perseverance and deep faith, they advocated for the creation of a permanent Spanish-speaking congregation that could serve the growing Latino community. Their efforts involved ongoing conversations and collaboration with leaders of the United Methodist Conference, demonstrating both leadership and commitment to the connectional nature of Methodist ministry.
Their dedication and advocacy eventually bore fruit in 1985 with the founding of El Mesias United Methodist Church.
From its earliest days, Isabel Mestre and Isabel de la Cruz played a vital role in nurturing the life of the congregation. They served faithfully in multiple ministries and committees, welcoming newcomers, organizing gatherings, and helping to create a spiritual home where immigrants could worship, grow in faith, and find community.
Through their leadership, El Mesias UMC became more than a church—it became a place of belonging for many immigrants who were navigating the challenges of life in a new country. The ministry they helped establish provided spiritual guidance, cultural affirmation, and pastoral care to generations of families.
Today, El Mesias United Methodist Church continues to thrive as a vibrant multicultural congregation where faith, culture, and community come together. The enduring presence of this ministry stands as a living testimony to the courage, faith, and vision of these two women.
The legacy of Isabel Mestre and Isabel de la Cruz reminds us that leadership in the church often begins with simple acts of faith—opening one’s home, gathering people in prayer, and responding to the needs of the community. Through their perseverance and commitment to Christ’s mission, these women helped plant a ministry that continues to bless countless lives.
Their story reflects the powerful role that women of faith play in shaping the life of the church and advancing the mission of the Gospel. Their leadership, resilience, and devotion to ministry stand as an inspiring example of how God’s work often begins with faithful individuals who dare to respond to the needs of their community.