About Us
Rooted in faith. Sustained by compassion. Committed to justice.
Misión Peniel exists to share the love of God by responding to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of farmworkers and their families in Immokalee, Florida. Through relationships built on trust and dignity, we walk alongside our neighbors — offering food, support, and hope in a challenging and often overlooked community.
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Founded in 2006 as a ministry of the Peace River Presbytery, Misión Peniel began as a response to the urgent needs of Immokalee’s farmworker population. For over 19 years, we have served as a steady presence in the community — welcoming everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. In 2024, Misión Peniel became its own independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit while continuing the same spirit of grassroots compassion and faithful service.
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We believe in a ministry of presence — being with people, not just serving people. Whether through a bag of groceries, a home visit, a listening ear, or a holiday gift for a child, every act of kindness at Misión Peniel is grounded in respect and care.
Our Story
Misión Peniel was founded in 2006 as a ministry of the Peace River Presbytery (PCUSA) in response to the deep and often unmet needs of the Immokalee farmworker community. At the time, there was no consistent faith-based outreach focused on the physical, emotional, and spiritual support of those who harvest much of the nation’s produce yet often live in poverty and invisibility.
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In those early days, the ministry began in the most grassroots way possible — Pastor Miguel Estrada and his family serving hot coffee and fresh tortillas out of an RV to farmworkers as they boarded the buses to the fields each morning. That simple gesture of welcome grew into a weekly rhythm of care, connection, and trust.
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As relationships deepened and needs became clearer, Misión Peniel grew to offer more — meals, food bags, hygiene kits, spiritual support, and seasonal outreach for children and families. Yet the approach never changed: presence over programs, compassion over complexity.
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In 2018, Misión Peniel began partnering with the newly formed nonprofit Cultivate Abundance to address food insecurity in Immokalee. Cultivate Abundance grows, collects, and shares food of cultural preference — much of which is now distributed each week through Misión Peniel. This partnership has deepened our ability to offer nutritious, locally grown food that reflects the heritage and preferences of the farmworker community.
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In 2019, Misión Peniel launched Pan de Vida — the first home-delivered meal program for elderly and disabled farmworkers in Immokalee. The program now delivers more than 3,000 meals each year, along with birthday gifts, hygiene items, and friendly visits that ease loneliness.
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By 2024, Misión Peniel had become an essential part of the Immokalee community. With the continued support of Peace River Presbytery and other partners, the ministry became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit — a reflection of its expanding partnerships, local leadership, and long-term vision.
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Today, Misión Peniel continues to walk with the farmworker community as it has from the beginning: faithfully, humbly, and with open arms.
What Guides Us
We are relational. We value presence, listening, and mutual care.
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We are welcoming. Everyone is received with dignity — no forms, no questions, no judgment.
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We are faith-rooted. Inspired by the example of Jesus, we seek justice, show mercy, and walk humbly.
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We are community-based. Volunteers, churches, and partners from across Southwest Florida and the country help sustain our work.
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We are responsive. We pay attention to what our neighbors need and act with love and urgency.