Our Stories

 Paul Capanna was born in Rochester, New York.  He Joined the US Army in 1983 and was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia until being honorably discharged in 1986.  He acquired a Business Management degree in NY and decided he missed the south so he followed his family to Orlando, Florida (by way of South Carolina) in 1988 where he proceeded to make choices that would negatively affect the next thirty years of his life.

Paul Capanna was reborn from the devastation of addiction on January 4, 2017 when  the pain of using drugs and alcohol became unbearable.  He was admitted to the Daryl Strawberry recovery center  (now Blackberry Center) in Saint Cloud, Florida.  After turning his life and will over to GOD, Paul has fully recovered from his addictions and has since committed his life to helping others in recovery just like he was helped. 

In 2018, he was hired by the same institution he attended to help patients  with dual-diagnosis.   Paul has acquired his certification as an Addiction Counselor in Florida and worked as an in-home Certified Recovery Advisor for Aware Recovery Care.  

Paul continues to train employees of Blackberry Center in crisis prevention and de-escalation and serves those with substance use disorders.  

Currently Paul  accepted  a faith assignment by God  moving to Tennessee, free of addiction and shame,  to use his personal  experience and God-given talents to help others see there is a way to be delivered.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:4-5

Gena Capanna was born in Bunnell, Florida. She was raised on Long Island and is one of 5 children. Gena feels her ministry began the moment she entered the world. As her story goes, there was an elderly woman - who had 7 sons and always wanted a daughter - who was sharing a room with Gena's mother. It was this woman who took care of Gena the first week of her life and gave her the legal name Rogena. Gena believes this woman was a believer in Jesus and must have prayed over her. She feels this was the beginning of her love for people, stating “I'm God's favorite and it's my goal in life to make everyone feel the same way.”

In 2005, Gena was the founding President and an original board member of Life's Choices of Lake County Crisis Pregnancy Center, which has since expanded to two offices and is now called Life’s Choices Women’s Clinic. In 2008, she began Gena's Jewels blog ministry. She has written  4 books: Gena's Jewels Volume 1 & 2,  Keeper of the Testimony and Soul Barer. 

Gena is an ordained minister and has been leading small group bible studies and mentoring for over 30 years. She also has a passion for the Jewish community. One of her small group studies, Grafted Inn, developed from this passion, driving her to learn more about her own Hebrew roots and how the Jew and Gentile truly fit together to make one body. During this journey to help Gentiles recognize and embrace Yeshua (Jesus) as their Jewish Rabbi, she also hopes to introduce her Jewish friends to their promised Messiah.  Gena has a passion for God's people to know the love of Yehovah, the one true GOD. 

Knowing personally the effects of rejection and unworthiness she has a passion for helping others see themselves through the eyes of God and really understanding the love He has for each of us. She has been accomplishing this journey as a mentor, Bible learning facilitator and Pastoral Counseling  for  both long time believers and those just meeting our Messiah.

Gena has been a part of  numerous programs as a volunteer, as Jesus says, "freely given, freely give".  

Life Adventures

Schools For Haiti

Volunteered in Haiti on four mission trips raising awareness for education; Preached at revival; Coordinated Bible Camp for the children

First Baptist Women's Shelter

Minister to women at First Baptist Women’s Shelter; held Post Abortion Classes and Pastoral Counseling

CoHost Day Star Radio

Word Life Mission Center Mbale, Uganda

Support a small church in Africa that seeks to care for the needy men, women and children in their village.

Christian Broadcasting Network, Nashville, TN

Prayer Line;  Interacted directly with clients via incoming calls using confidentiality of client personal information.

VOLUNTEER

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hillsborough House of Hope, Tampa Bay Tres Dias, Vida Nueva Tampa Bay, Grace Family Soup Kitchen, Otter Reading Program