Jessica never expected that a trip to Puerto Rico would change her life. She came to care for a beloved family member who was dying of cancer. What she didn’t realize then was that God was planting her in new soil—soil where her gifts would begin to grow, flourish, and eventually bear fruit in the lives of others.
Raised in Pennsylvania in what she describes as an “American dream” setting, Jessica grew up in a home that was Latin at its core—Puerto Rican and Salvadoran, Spanish spoken inside, English outside. Her parents were pastors, and she was homeschooled in a faith-filled environment. Church was not a Sunday activity—it was a lifestyle. From teaching Sunday school to working the sound booth, she was always involved.
But as a young adult, she found herself searching for a spiritual home in Puerto Rico. Jessica tried several churches—some connected to her family’s denomination, others recommended by friends. Each time, she encountered something good but also something missing: a lack of youth, a lack of connection, or a community that felt too big to truly belong.
Then one day, while attending a regional church event, she and her friend Barbara noticed something different. A small English-speaking church called The Gathering was introduced. Jessica immediately felt drawn. “We have to go check it out,” she said.
From her first visit, Jessica knew she had found something special. The church was small, Spirit-filled, and welcoming. People weren’t in a rush to leave after service. They lingered, talked, connected. “It reminded me of the churches I grew up in,” she said. “I felt like I was home.”
Ironically, she had been looking for a church with a youth group—but The Gathering didn’t have one. What it had was space, openness, and a need. Soon, Jessica realized that maybe she wasn’t just looking to find a youth group. Maybe she was being called to build one.
Now, as the church’s youth leader, Jessica balances Bible teaching with fun and fellowship. Her heart is to make sure the students—many of whom didn’t grow up in church—understand the basics of Scripture. “We started with stories like Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, Cain and Abel,” she explained. “It’s all new to them.” Slowly, she’s moving toward deeper discussion and reflection, incorporating group participation and devotional-style conversations.
Monthly activities are part of the rhythm too—beach days, games, and the occasional fundraiser to ensure no one is left out due to finances. “We live on a beautiful island,” she said, “so we want to enjoy it together.”
Jessica is honest about her own challenges. Life hasn’t been easy. “It’s felt like one trial after another,” she admitted. “But The Gathering has been like a life preserver—keeping me afloat.” For her, the church is more than a building or even a group of people. It’s a spiritual family, a place where healing and purpose meet.
The Scripture that’s kept her grounded? Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” She sees it every morning, written on her bathroom mirror. Her favorite worship song isn’t complex—it’s the simple repetition of “Yeshua.” Just the name of Jesus, again and again, anchoring her heart.
For anyone considering a visit to The Gathering, Jessica has one thing to say: “Prepare for hugs.” And more than that, prepare to be seen, loved, and called into something bigger than yourself.