A Bilingual Church on Palisade Avenue
At 5800 Palisade Ave. in West New York, Iglesia Bautista Nazaret is known for worship in Spanish and English, online Bible study, small groups across the week, and a discipleship path summarized as conocer, crecer y compartir: to know, grow, and share. The congregation began in 1963 with Cuban brothers living in political exile and later grew to include Hispanic believers from many countries. The church describes its location as lying west of the Hudson River within the wider New York City area.
Nazaret is an evangelical, bilingual Baptist congregation affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Its motto is Forming disciples who know, grow, and share. The church and office share the building at 5800 Palisade Ave., where three Sunday services, midweek study, prayer, and ministries for different ages all meet.
From a 1963 Home Bible Study
The church traces its beginning to a small group of Cuban brothers enduring political exile. Needing a place to worship and call upon the Lord, they began meeting for Bible study in the home of Gustavo and Avelina García. This home gathering became the foundation of a church community that has continued for more than six decades.
For two years, the congregation was sponsored as a mission by Bergen Baptist Church, now known as Christ Community Church. On September 26, 1965, it was constituted as a church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The date marks the formal beginning of the church, while 1963 remains the year of its first Bible study and spiritual fellowship.
Rev. José Ruiz was ordained as the first pastor and served until December 1967. Rev. Nicomedes Flores was called in March 1968. He remained with the congregation for 29 years, serving until his retirement in July 1997. Under his leadership, spiritual and numerical growth made the original 311 52nd St. location too small, leading the congregation to move to its present home on Palisade Avenue.
As the church grew, brothers and sisters joined from many Hispanic countries. Pablo Flores began serving at Nazaret in 1997 and later became its pastor. Other pastoral milestones included Rev. Valdivia as assistant pastor from 2003 to 2012, Rev. Vázquez as youth pastor beginning in 2007, and Rev. Navarro as assistant pastor beginning in 2013. That history of Cuban roots, Spanish and English preaching, and successive generations of leadership remains central to the church.
Three Sundays, Two Languages
Nazaret's regular Sunday rhythm gives visitors three opportunities to worship at the Palisade Avenue church:
- 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. - Spanish-language worship, in person.
- 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - English worship, in person and online.
- 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. - Spanish-language worship, in person and online.
The 9:00 a.m. gathering is the one Sunday service listed only for in-person participation. Both the 11:00 a.m. English service and the 1:00 p.m. Spanish service can be watched through the church's online worship. The ordering places an English service between Spanish services in the morning and early afternoon.
Bible preaching has a prominent place in the congregation's life. Pastor Pablo Flores has taught messages from books including Daniel and Samuel, while other archived messages examine passages from Exodus, Luke, John, and other parts of the Bible. The sermon archive is organized by speaker and series, identifies the Scripture for each message, and includes downloadable Spanish audio and notes on selected messages.
Midweek Study and Nightly Prayer
Wednesday's schedule continues the bilingual rhythm. Spanish-language Bible study and prayer meet online from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., followed by an English-language gathering from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. These studies combine Scripture study with prayer and are open through the church's online ministry.
Nazaret also holds telephone prayer rooms every night at 8:00 p.m. Two access codes, 6300 and 6313, connect participants to separate rooms. This nightly prayer rhythm complements the larger Sunday gathering and the more concentrated Wednesday study sessions.
Knowing, Growing, and Sharing
The church's defining vision is relational: a disciple of Jesus should know Him, grow in faith and character, and share what he has received with others. Nazaret presents these three verbs not as separate activities but as the shared life of its congregation.
Knowing Christ and His Church
To know Christ begins with hearing the good news of salvation, recognizing oneself as a sinner, and receiving God's grace through Jesus. The church describes this as a personal and growing relationship with Him. A disciple also comes to understand the church as the body of Christ. Learning to appreciate and love the church is part of discipleship because Christ Himself gave Himself for it.
Growing in Knowledge and Character
Growth combines knowledge with spiritual formation. Nazaret points to studying the Scriptures, praying, seeking the Master daily, and learning the truths that support the Christian faith. Character is equally important. The church teaches that the Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit and transforms the traits of a person's character to bring that person into greater resemblance to Jesus.
Sharing Through Ministry and Missions
Sharing takes the form of ministry and mission. The life of Jesus was marked by a spirit of service, and Nazaret believes the Holy Spirit equips believers with gifts for God's work. Mission also includes sharing the good news through personal testimony. A disciple is responsible for participating in mission work and relating the gospel to the people encountered in everyday life.
Small Groups Across the Week
Small groups are a major part of Nazaret's discipleship model. The church describes the gospel as relational and formative, meaning spiritual care and growth happen through influence, fellowship, and life together. Mutual edification through the practice of God's Word is the distinguishing mark of the groups. Some meet in homes, some use church rooms, and others gather virtually or in nearby communities.
Tuesday and Wednesday
- Jesús el camino, verdad y vida serves adults at 7:00 p.m. in West New York or virtually.
- Hijos de Dios gathers young adults in West New York at 8:00 p.m.
- Casa de Aida Cerritos serves adults in West New York at 8:00 p.m.
- Casa de Nelly Huaman serves adults in Fair Lawn at 7:00 p.m.
- Salón Esperanza serves adults in Union City at 8:00 p.m.
- Magdalena Querol gathers adults in West New York or virtually on Wednesdays.
Thursday
- Grupo de Jóvenes Jueves gathers young people in West New York at 8:30 p.m.
- Los Valientes meets in Fort Lee at 7:00 p.m.
- Bergen serves adults across Bergen County at 8:00 p.m.
- Templo de Dios brings adults and children together in West New York at 7:00 p.m.
Friday
- Las Águilas meets in West New York at 4:00 p.m.
- El Farolita II gathers adults in West New York at 7:00 p.m.
- Casa de Anoland Ruiz and de Nehemías serve adults in North Bergen and Ridgefield, respectively, at 7:00 p.m.
- Ana Miza serves adults in Guttenberg at 7:30 p.m.
- Casa Adame gathers adults in North Bergen at 7:45 p.m.
- Dilma serves adults in West New York at 8:00 p.m.
- Jóvenes Adultos gathers young adults in West New York at 8:00 p.m.
The variety allows adults, young adults, youth, and families to find groups suited to their age and region. A request process gathers a person's preferred day, time, and area as the church works to connect newcomers with a suitable fellowship.
Sunday School, Youth, and Age-Specific Ministries
Sunday school is divided into language and age divisions. Elizabeth Nilo and Yusel Siverio co-direct the English departments for children, youth, and adults. Elizabeth Castaneda and Isabel Planos co-direct the Spanish adult department. The Bible is treated as the foundation for these teaching ministries.
Children also take part in Vacation Bible School and Cross Trainers, a ministry for grades 1 through 5. The junior and senior high youth group serves grades 6 through 12 and gathers at the church on Friday evenings. Dan Occhiogrosso coordinates the youth ministry, while Alexis Flores coordinates Vacation Bible School and Danielle von Hoffmann leads Cross Trainers.
Older students and adults have distinct avenues for participation. Contrast, the young adults ministry, is coordinated by Oscar Yunez and Carolina Yunez. Mujeres con Propósito gathers women under Jessenia Solorzano, while an English men's fellowship provides another setting for men to meet. The music ministry is directed by Sanctifier Bitsambila, and the worship team rehearses during the week.
Pastoral Team and Ministry Leaders
Pastor Pablo Flores grew up in a family of pastors and committed his heart to Jesus at an early age. He received his call to ministry while working as a banker in New York and has devoted his work to caring for people and preaching the Word. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served at Nazaret since 1997.
Seven deacons serve with the pastoral team:
- Victor Nilo
- Noel Jardines
- Félix Pérez
- Reynaldo Gabriel
- Fernando García
- Rubilio Orellana
- Dan Occhiogrosso
Other ministry leadership is distributed across food distribution, prayer, small groups, Sunday school, youth, young adults, women, Vacation Bible School, Cross Trainers, and music. Rubilio Orellana coordinates food ministry and small groups alongside other leaders, while Giovanny Narváez coordinates food distribution and Maritza Munnigh coordinates the prayer ministry.
What Nazaret Believes
Nazaret gives a direct statement of its Christian beliefs, placing Scripture at the center of doctrine and practice.
- God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe and has existed eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons are equal and are one God.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is consubstantial with the Father. He lived a sinless human life, gave himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin, rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to heaven, and will return to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
- The Holy Spirit is consubstantial with the Father and Son. He makes people aware of their need for Christ, lives in each Christian, teaches spiritual truth, guides believers, gives power for service, comforts them in affliction, and distributes spiritual gifts.
- The Bible is the Word of God written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme standard of truth and Christian living. Nazaret practices daily reading, study, and memorization of Scripture.
- Humanity and salvation are understood through the human tendency toward sin and God's offer of salvation. Salvation is God's gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ rather than earned through good works or personal improvement. Eternal security rests on God's grace and power.
- The church is the community of those redeemed by Christ and the body of Christ. A local church is autonomous and determines its own strategy, structure, and style, while voluntary affiliation with churches and organizations of shared faith and order is valued.
- Eternity has two outcomes: eternal separation from God in hell or eternal life with God in heaven. The church affirms these as real and lasting states.
The church is supported by the offerings of believers. It recognizes some Christians as giving according to the Old Testament measure of ten percent, but presents New Testament giving as regular, generous, and joyful without limits. Missionary witness and service remain central to the call of every disciple.
Food Distribution and a Shared Mission
Nazaret's food ministry organizes food distribution as a practical expression of Christian service. Coordinated by Rubilio Orellana and Giovanny Narváez, this ministry extends the church's emphasis on sharing beyond worship and fellowship.
Offerings support the life and work of the congregation, and financial gifts can also be made through online giving. From its original Bible study among Cuban exiles to a bilingual church with three Sunday worship times, regional small groups, and ministries for every stage of life, Nazaret remains centered on its purpose of forming disciples who know Christ, grow in faith, and share His love.