Mujer Virtuosa Ministries, Inc. started was by Josefina Céspedes as prayer home group in her house in the Bronx at New York City in the year 2002. Women in the community started calling asking help with emotional and family problems. Ms. Céspedes felt the Lord calling her to work restoring women and families. For that time, the Lord has gave her a completed and details vision for a big ministry working not only evangelizing people; but, meeting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Ms. Céspedes decided to start working with women and families by having support groups at her home or at other women house. She decide to call the group La Casa del Alfarero. Ms. Céspedes was also motivated by her friend Marilyn Correa who started The Potter’s Lady Ministry in the same year. For that time Ms. Céspedes was completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work at Nyack College/ Alliance Theological Seminar in NYC. La Casa del Alfarero’s group meetings were irregular but woman constantly was looking for asking help with their issues.
Before graduated in 2004, Ms. Céspedes move to Stamford, Connecticut where she continue developing her vision. Ms. Céspedes became member of Bethania Ministry in Stamford, CT. The group was taking the form of a ministry, and the Lord gave her a new name “Mujer Virtuosa Ministries.” Initially the group’s meetings were conducted mostly once month. For 2006, group’s meetings were conducted twice month. Mujer Virtuosa Ministries has its first nine weeks serial conference “Mujer Descubre Tu Proposito,” on April 2006 at Iglesia Juan 3:16 with the Pastor Jesus Garcias Jr. in Stamford, CT. For the end of the same year Ms. Céspedes became member of the same church.
On September 9 of 2006, Mujer Virtuosa Ministries had its Article of Incorporation as Non-For Profit organization in the State of Connecticut. On November 2006, Mujer Virtuosa Ministries had its second conference for two days at Iglesia Principe de Paz in Bridgeport CT with the Pastor Moises Mercedes. This conference was promoted by radio and by personal visit to local churches in Connecticut State wide and in NYC. The conference was a tremendous victorious and well received by participants. Doors was open to conduct others conference in both states.
For 2007 group’s meetings started every week, women callings for asking for help increase and people start request group meetings at their local communities. The amount of demanding we cannot continue working from home and we have to start looking for a place to serve the community and to have meetings. Mujer Virtuosa Ministries conducted its first worship concert for fundraising to open an office. We have the concert Mujer Virtuosa en Adoración on May 19 of 2007 at The Palace Theater en Stamford, Connecticut. Where for first time was performed a Christian event at this prestigious place. The Glory of the Lord descended, many people were saved, healed and liberated from oppressions. All the Glory and Honor are belongs to the Lord Jesus.
On August 2008, Mujer Virtuosa Ministries has its second concert. The great victory was close; within the same moth we found a space to open our office at 159 Main Street, Suite 201, Stamford, CT 06905. It is a tremendous spacious place for a lower monthly rent that some no one could image with everything included. Just right at the entering of the center of the city; exactly how the Lord said to Ms. Céspedes when she came to Stamford for the first time, “I brought you here to take the door of the city; to the city that flow honey and milk.”
There is lack in services to Hispanic population. According to US Census, Hispanic population in Stamford has double increase in size between 1900 to 2000. Hispanic 50% of them are very low income and high risk for substance abuse. Hispanic woman and their families that are coming to this country confront issue as difficulty to adaptation, separation anxiety or depression, and other social issues.
To met this need Mujer Virtuosa have diverse support groups open to the whole family and woman meetings, the groups and meetings are conducted by eating and sharing time, prayers and worships, a teachings and discussion topic, and individual support as need. Mujer Virtuosa offer pastoral counseling, support groups, job trainings, GED, art and craft workshops, educational and skills buildings activities, and all others services and activities.
The purpose of Mujer Virtuosa is to help meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the women and families. To bring people to the Lord and help them to restore their life; then, Mujer Virtuosa Ministries will connect them with other local churches where they will continue receiving pastoral care and in turn develop a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As the Body of Christ, Mujer Virtuosa Ministries wants to work in collaboration of other religious organizations and community agencies. Mujer Virtuosa Ministries wants to lead other religious leaders to work together for the Kingdom of God. Understanding that if we work together we can make a great difference in the families and reach those that are without Christ, Meeting their needs as same as our Lord Jesus Christ has done.