House of Praise Bible College & Training Center
Curriculum | Admissions | Class Schedule | Programs | Faculty
Gilbert Silva – College President
Gilbert Silva began teaching and preaching the Word of God at the tender age of 14. He has been in full-time ministry for 19 years. Prior to being called into full-time ministry he served his local church as a volunteer youth minister for 5 years under the leadership of the late Pastor Illuminado Marrero. In January 1991 he became the senior pastor of House of Praise International Church and has continued in the work God has called him to do.
Gilbert has a strong teaching anointing on his life. His ministry focuses on the ministry of equipping the body to go out and impact their neighborhood, city and nation. He is a sought out speaker and has traveled and ministered in Puerto Rico, South and Central America, Cambodia and in many churches in the United States. He is happily married to his wife and ministry partner, Eileen, and has three children; Celeste, Chelsea and Josiah.
Rick Mercado – College Dean
Rick Mercado is a native of Lorain, Ohio and has been a member of The House of Praise International Church since its inception in 1976. During his tenure at the church, he has served in different capacities including being an elder for 19 years.
Ordained in 1995, Rev. Mercado is a 1986 graduate of the Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He enjoys teaching and making the truths of God’s Word simple to the believer. He has ministered and taught at local churches, as well as others throughout the country. The ministry has also taken him abroad to Mexico, El Salvador and The Canary Islands in Spain.
He and his wife of 25 years, Helen, also a graduate of Rhema, enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures. They have two college-age sons, Christopher and Justin.
Edwin Marrero
Edwin Marrero was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio. As a young man of 19 years, he received Christ as Savior. He is part of the founding family of House of Praise International Church where he has served through teaching, preaching and other in-house ministries.
Edwin is a gifted teacher of the word and has traveled to many countries such as El Salvador, Venezuela, Mexico and many states in US. His heart is to see the body of Christ equipped and discipled in the Word of God.
Luis Martinez
Luis Martinez is currently an Elder at the House Of Praise International Church where he is actively involved in the School Of Sevanthood. Before coming to the House Of Praise he had served in various areas of leadership; including children, youth and adult ministries.
Luis started dating his wife, “Gari” while they were both students at the Spanish Eastern Bible Institute; they were married in 1976 and have two adult children.
Michael Haddix
Michael Haddix is currently employed as a regional manager with Crothall Services Group, a company that offers management services to Health Care organizations. He is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a BA in Political Science and has a Master’s of Religious Education from the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. He served as pastor of Louisville, Ohio Church of the Nazarene after his seminary degree before leaving the pastorate for his current position.
Michael has been married for almost 27 years to Yvette, and has three children, Jacob 25, Joshua 23 and Kelsey 14 and four grandchildren ages 2 thru 6.
Dennis Heber
Dennis Heber is a world Evangelist and President of Bible Revivals, Incorporated, a non-profit evangelistic ministry. He has been an instructor in numerous bible colleges.
His ministry has taken him from the inner-city streets, tents, and churches of Cleveland, Ohio, to the shores and doors of places and peoples around the world preaching in over 50 countries. Rev. Heber was ordained in 1978 and provides a wealth of ministerial experience.
Julie Heber
Julie Heber is a teacher of God’s Word with a special gifting to encourage women and married couples. Her message helps people see themselves through the mirror of God’s Word and allows them to say goodbye to their “Inferiority Complexes” forever. Julie is married to Evangelist Dennis Heber, and together they have preached the Gospel in over 50 countries. Their daughter, Jessica lives in Mayfield Hts., Ohio with her husband Joel and four year old son Jude and newborn son, Leland. Julie is fluent in Spanish and has served as an interpreter not only on her job but also in countries such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru and Guatemala.
Julie is also an Instructor at several local Bible Colleges. She teaches the following courses: Research and Writing, Leadership, Maintaining Balance in Life Life, and the Family. Julie is a Sales Operations Manager for the IBM Corporation responsible for the eServer unit in the Midwest.
Julie enjoys being with her family and doing spontaneous things. She enjoys Tae-bo, reading, baking, and needlepoint. She especially enjoys baking and making homemade Christmas gifts.
Brian Del Turco
Brian Del Turco is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a B.A. in Theological and Historical Studies. He has also studied at Ashland Theological Seminary in the areas of adult education and theology. He has experience in church staffing, church planting, pastoral ministry, and adult Christian education.
Brian and Penelope have been married for 23 years and enjoy life with their daughters. Brian’s interests include American history, culture, and writing.
