Pastor Appreciation Day

This past Sunday was celebrated at our church as Family Sunday; but even more important we celebrated it as Pastor Appreciation Day. Even though this Sunday was the last Sunday of the month we chose this day long in advance because we wanted to have enough time to honor our Pastor. Ms. Gloria led a beautiful service entirely dedicated to our pastor, Rev. Claudio Leal, his wife, Mrs. Alice Leal and their two girls, Amari and Alexia. The songs, which Ms. Gloria carefully selected, encouraged and motivated the Pastor and his family in the ministry God has so carefully chosen for them. These songs also urged the congregation to count the blessings we have received by having this family in our midst to deliver God’s message to us in words and in example.


Our Ladies Group President, Mrs. Helen Villa as well as Mrs. Georgia Leal shared wonderful poems dedicated to our First Lady, Mrs. Alice Leal. Oftentimes, she is remembered only as an extension of the Pastor and her invaluable and constant contribution to their ministry not truly appreciated. Not anymore!! We were encouraged and cautioned as a church, as individuals and as women to value the very important supporting roles played by her and their daughters and to, in-turn, show support for them.

The service continued with Mrs. Reyes sharing with us some suggestions about how we can continue to show our appreciation for our Pastor and his ministry. Thanks for those suggestions Mrs. Reyes. They are very useful and I am sure we will be putting them into practice. One of our upcoming youths, Kayla Villa, also got up and bravely read a dedication to her Pastor for all his hard work, sacrifices and commitment. And of course, Ms. Marion and Bro. Jimmy practiced and sang special songs for them.


For those members of the congregation who were not brave enough to sing, the opportunity was given to share their thoughts and feelings. It was very touching to see various members of the congregation get up and expressed their appreciation for him. And you know we cannot have an appreciation service for our Pastor without singing his favorite song, “I Can Only Imagine”. Our church is blessed with so many fantastic singers it was a battle deciding who to ask. After careful consideration and lots of prayer Ms. Gloria asked Jazel to bless the Pastor and us by singing this song. The Pastor must have felt like he was at a Mercy Me concert!!

After all the singing and sharing Oswin, on behalf of his family and the congregation, took his time and eloquently expressed his thanks and admiration for our Pastor and his family. Brads then lead the congregation in prayer for this special family before Ms. Bethany Tillett, presented them with gifts picked out especially for them. It was indeed a beautiful service and our Pastor and his family were visibly touched by the outpouring of love and support shown to them. The pastor was so touched that we almost left him speechless; he preached a record-breaking 15 minutes sermon!!



Pastor, your congregation counts you as a blessing that we all share. You have encouraged us, challenged us to be the best we can be, and you have shared our joys and sorrows all these years through the good times and the bad. Pastor Claudio, Ms. Alice, Amari and Alexia, we are eternally grateful that God called you here to us and we want you to know you are cared for and loved.