Jonathan Elicier

So unworthy, yet so abundantly grateful!

Before I share anything about my story, I invite you to look at the picture above. In it, some of the kids from our church and I are pointing to heaven, pointing to our God.

As you read this, know that I’m not sharing to make much of myself, but to point others to Him. This story isn’t about me, it’s about what God has done. My deepest hope is that every part of my life would reflect His love, His grace, and His faithfulness.

May it all point back to Him.

I was born in Worcester, Massachusetts to two Puerto Rican parents, but Apopka, Florida has been home since I was six.

Growing up, my world revolved around three things: family, baseball, and God. I was especially close with my older brother, we did everything together. Whether we were playing backyard sports, doing dumb stuff, or even throwing a few haymakers, he was my first teammate in life.

If I wasn't with my family or at church with my mom, you could probably find me on a ball field, batting, throwing, running, or just soaking up the game I loved.

That passion carried me through high school and into college. I played college baseball at Newberry College and earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology, with minors in Business Administration and Coaching.

The plan after graduation?

Stick around Central Florida, get into coaching, and dive into the travel baseball scene. Down the road, I’d put my degree to work and become a NICU nurse.

But during college, something deeper had been stirring.

My love for the game and for my family never wavered, but I realized my faith wasn’t truly my own.

I believed in God, but I wasn’t fully living for Him. That began to change in 2018.

I went on my first mission trip to Haiti, and some time after, I had a life-changing conversation with a mentor who challenged me to stop living halfway in and halfway out. No more lukewarm faith.

That was a turning point. My relationship with God became real, personal, and alive.

I wasn’t perfect (still am not), but God’s grace met me in the gaps and kept drawing me closer.

That first trip to Haiti planted a seed for missions. At first, I ignored it.

I had my own plans. But God’s plans were better.

On a second mission trip to Haiti in June 2021, everything changed forever. I couldn’t shake the call. Missions wasn’t just a spark anymore; it was a fire.

By August 2021, I launched Reflecting His Heart and began pursuing full-time ministry. I thought I’d end up in Haiti, but God had something else in mind.

In 2022, I moved to Santiago, Dominican Republic, where I’ve been living and serving ever since.

God’s faithfulness has shown up in so many ways, but His biggest blessing has been giving me my best friend and now wife. We started dating a month before I moved down in 2022.

Now we live here in Santiago with one mission: to reflect the heart of Jesus to everyone we encounter. We know we’re not perfect, but we’re committed to living lives that point others to Him.

We don’t know where God will lead our marriage, but we do know this: wherever He calls, we’ll be running after Him.
May our lives always point up—to our God.