Mario Gonzalez, Senior Pastor
Mario is a graduate of Fordham Universit , NYC, with a passion for business. Since 1994 his focus has changed from his private endeavors to God’s business. He is the co-founder of the Hope Center alongside his wife, and serves as its President and CEO. He is most proud of his two daughters, Stephanie and Sarah, followed immediately by his pride over assembling the most awesome and eclectic ministry team in the country.

He is an avid coffee drinker and never allows his Starbucks card to dip below five dollars (in case of an emergency.) He Loves design and has designed many commercial retail interiors, as well as a large amount of print graphics pieces. He loves jazz music and is himself a classically trained guitarist and bassist. He tours with the worship group throughout the U.S. and Europe .

Leigh Piatt-Gonzalez, Senior Pastor
Leigh’s alma mater is Lehman College, NYC, where she majored in business. However, Leigh’s passion is worship in all of its forms. She is co-founder of the Hope Center , serves as Vice President of Operations, and Pastors the Hope Center Tabernacle alongside her husband.

A graduate of New York City ’s High School for the Performing Arts, she is a classically trained pianist and clarinetist. She met her husband at Third Street Music School in Manhattan where Mario worked while a student at N.Y.U. Leigh writes and directs for all of the Hope Center ’s theatrical productions, working closely with the core creative team. She also manages the worship group and tours with them throughout the U.S. and Europe . Leigh’s heart is her two lovely daughters, Stephanie & Sarah. She absolutely loves to spend her quite time reading and playing tricks on her cats.

Sam Cintron, Pastor of Worship Arts
Sam Cintron is a prolific, award winning singer/songwriter and the Pastor of Worship Arts for the Hope Center Tabernacle. Sam is co-founder of the Hope Center for the Visual & Performing Arts, and serves as Vice President of Public Relations. Sam’s new CD release, Songs from the Secret Place, has received critical acclaim. The title song from the CD, Secret Place , has already received extensive radio play in stations from coast to coast. Sam’s songs include such hits as, Alguien Me Toca, and Fueron con El, recorded by the Vida label, and others. Sam has also written songs for other well-known gospel-recording artists in the Spanish gospel genre. Sam received an award for his song, Somos Hermanos, that was performed at Amor Al Rezcate, a collaboration of Hispanic recording gospel artists from all around the world.

Sam is an accomplished artist and fine art dealer who passionately uses all of his talents in all aspects of our productions at the Hope Center . Utilizing a unique vehicle, the theatrical concert, Sam has an ability to create and communicate this passion to the listening and viewing public through all forms of the arts. He presently pastors a group of over seventy artistic people. Sam truly prioritizes his family and loves to spend his quite time writing songs and painting, when he is not spending quality time with his wife Liz, and his three children, little Sam, Jacque, and Faith.