Antonio Juan Mendez

Antonio Juan Méndez, 35, of Kissimmee, was summoned home to be with the Lord on April 2, 2017. He was a loving son to Juan and Nelida (Montalvo) Méndez, born on October 8, 1981 in Bronxville, New York and loving brother to Juan Antonio Mendez, 43. Antonio was also a dedicated husband, father, uncle, friend and pastor. Antonio met his beautiful bride-to-be, Cristina, in New York in 2001. Antonio knew instantly that he had met the woman destined to be his wife. He proposed three years later and they were wed on a glorious day on October 2, 2005. The couple had since been blessed with three beautiful children; Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Ezrabella who m each represent the strength, pure joy and will of their father. Antonio loved his family unconditionally with unwavering devotion. Family was the gift from God with whom he eagerly indulged every day of his life. Antonio and Cristina have, as a united front, instilled within their children a keen sense of faith in service to Christ, love and respect for others and personal dignity. Through family, Antonio celebrated the wonders of life and faith as time with family were moments showered within God’s glory. Antonio and Cristina were so very proud of their many accomplishments together. Each person, every intimate contact they had ever shared with others throughout the years helped to shape their path. Their unflinching love for each other served to sharpen their dedication to life’s task. Antonio strived to serve the Lord and to put his experiences and gifts to work for this favor. His bachelor degree in business and his degree in theology, his certification in John Maxwell Leadership, provided some of the foundation for his future growth. As evidence of his eager servitude, he was also the youngest ordained minister in the district of the Spanish Assemblies of God. Antonio later founded Throne Room Publishing Company and Lionheart Ministry until his life’s work would sound as if a distant beacon, drawing ever closer, ever louder. He was always heavily involved in church and district events when over time, the Lord placed a passionate and undeniable desire within his heart to start a church of his own with his wife Cristina. Antonio heeded God’s apostolic call and founded Heaven on Earth International Ministries in 2013 after relocating to Florida from New York. It was here where Antonio’s infectious enthusiasm, charisma, love and acceptance for all, would thrive and accelerate. In just three short years their church is regarded as one of the fastest growing churches in the Central Florida region. Purpose and passion fully realized, members eagerly shared in the glory of God under the kind and compassionate leadership of a uniquely gifted trailblazer, “Pastor Tony.” Through song and the many musical talents frequently displayed by Antonio, a collection of voices would sing as one praising the Lord. Of the seven musical instruments he had mastered over the years, piano was indeed his favorite. But amongst his flock, he loved and cherished all as one. To Reach, Restore, Equip and Release individuals in order to fulfill their purpose in Christ is the stated and realized vision of Heaven on Earth Ministries. Antonio as an instrument of God, did just that in his dedicated service. Antonio has touched so many hearts and souls throughout his life. Always a man willing to give any one person his ear, his heart, his support and full attention, his church gave him the platform necessary to expand his reach. He’s since introduced hundreds of people to the glory of Jesus Christ and impressed upon them the fact that God has a plan for us all. Each and every one of us was birthed to serve a purpose and every purpose is grand while worshipping in the glory of God. Antonio spread his word to the farthest reaches of the globe; Africa, London, Scotland, Hungary, India, Guatemala, Mexico, Haiti and Ecuador were all destinations for discovery, his own and for souls feared lost to despair. In Ecuador, he founded the couple’s first international church, Cielo En la Tierra Ecuador. Pastor Tony would always say, “The best is yet to come. Better is the end of a thing than a beginning.” His family and his church will embark on yet another new beginning which will include one of dedication to his legacy in service to God, family and all those he has ever known and those he has yet to touch. His spirit will forever live within the hearts and minds of his loved ones and members of his churches, an everlasting impact through everlasting love. He was known as the LionHeart and through others, his roar will yet be heard for all eternity, for it’s a call to God. A call to come home. The Mendez and Montalvo families will receive family and friends on Friday April 7, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Heaven on Earth Church, 810 North Hoagland Blvd, Kissimmee of our celebration service. Service will begin at 7:00 pm with Pastor Juan Mendez officiating the celebration.

Antonio Juan Mendez

October 8, 1981 - April 2, 2017