Thursday, October 1, 2026
A new bilingual Christian ministry has established a physical presence in Valley Stream, offering services and outreach to support a diverse and growing community.
Ministerio Camino y Esperanza recently opened inside the small chapel of Olivet Baptist Church, located at 34 Locust St., near the Dubois Avenue entrance. The ministry, led by Pastor Yanilsa Campoverde, now holds regular in-person services after operating virtually for about two years.
Services are held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., along with a youth service on Sundays at 3 p.m. All services are offered in both English and Spanish.
Campoverde, a mother of four who has lived in Valley Stream for about 11 years, said her journey into ministry began 16 years ago after a personal health crisis involving her daughter. Following that experience, she and her husband became Christians, and her life direction shifted from a business-focused path to faith-based service.
She previously operated a boutique in Brooklyn, where she said customers often came not only for business, but also to talk about personal struggles and faith. That experience evolved into broader outreach work, including supporting women facing hardship. Many she worked with were immigrants dealing with issues such as workplace mistreatment, financial instability and domestic abuse. Her efforts included advocacy, prayer and connecting individuals with support through church communities.
“Now I say I’m the pastor, but my calling didn’t start today,” Campoverde said. “My
A new bilingual Christian ministry has established a physical presence in Valley Stream, offering services and outreach to support a diverse and growing community.
Ministerio Camino y Esperanza recently opened inside the small chapel of Olivet Baptist Church, located at 34 Locust St., near the Dubois Avenue entrance. The ministry, led by Pastor Yanilsa Campoverde, now holds regular in-person services after operating virtually for about two years.
Services are held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., along with a youth service on Sundays at 3 p.m. All services are offered in both English and Spanish.
Campoverde, a mother of four who has lived in Valley Stream for about 11 years, said her journey into ministry began 16 years ago after a personal health crisis involving her daughter. Following that experience, she and her husband became Christians, and her life direction shifted from a business-focused path to faith-based service.
She previously operated a boutique in Brooklyn, where she said customers often came not only for business, but also to talk about personal struggles and faith. That experience evolved into broader outreach work, including supporting women facing hardship. Many she worked with were immigrants dealing with issues such as workplace mistreatment, financial instability and domestic abuse. Her efforts included advocacy, prayer and connecting individuals with support through church communities.
“Now I say I’m the pastor, but my calling didn’t start today,” Campoverde said. “My calling started years ago, when people came to me, and they found joy again.”
She was anointed as a pastor eight years ago, first by Pastor Dalino Chaver and later by Pastor Kenia Fernandez. She initially resisted taking on the role but accepted it after what she described as years of confirmation through her experiences and faith.
Ministerio Camino y Esperanza, which translates to “Path and Hope Ministry,” was established two years ago. Before opening a physical location, the ministry operated virtually, hosting prayer meetings, services and events online.
The move to a permanent space in Valley Stream occurred recently. Campoverde said the transition followed a period of searching for the right location, leading to the chapel at Olivet Baptist Church.
“I did prayer only, I didn’t do nothing,” Campoverde said. “I just called up on his name, and he answered me because the one who has ear, the one who made the ear, he has ear, and if you have any need, he will answer you. Playing the just, the righteous, and he will answer. Everything happened because he did it.”
Since opening, the ministry began building its presence locally, with outreach largely driven by word-of-mouth and personal referrals. Campoverde said the goal is to expand engagement now that a physical gathering space is available.
In addition to weekly services, the ministry offers prayer nights, Bible teaching sessions and counseling. As a pastor, Campoverde provides up to four free counseling sessions, each lasting about 45 minutes, for individuals seeking support.
A focus of the ministry is addressing mental health and social challenges within the community. Campoverde pointed to issues such as financial stress, lack of access to care and isolation as common concerns. She emphasized a preventative approach, particularly for youth and families, aimed at addressing problems before they escalate.
Plans are underway to expand youth programming, including dedicated services and activities designed to engage younger members. The ministry also offers opportunities for volunteers and community involvement.
In addition to local work, Ministerio Camino y Esperanza has participated in charitable efforts abroad. The ministry organized supply donations to communities in need, including shipments to the Dominican Republic. Similar outreach efforts are expected to continue.
Campoverde said establishing a bilingual congregation in Valley Stream was important because of the limited availability of Spanish-language services within the village itself. The ministry aims to provide a local space where both English and Spanish-speaking residents can gather.
“That’s what I didn’t find when I came here,” Campoverde said. “They opened another congregation that is Spanish, from one of our brothers here, and they opened it in Baldwin, not here. Valley Stream didn’t have a Spanish congregation. It has it now. It has a safe place to come.”
According to the United States Census, as of 2024, the village of Valley Stream has a Hispanic/Latino population of 24 percent or roughly 10,000 residents.
With its new physical location, Ministerio Camino y Esperanza is working to establish itself as a resource for spiritual support, counseling and community connection in Valley Stream.
