Moises S. Virelles

Sunset September 29, 2023

Pastor Moises Virelles was born in the city of Holguin province of Oriente, Cuba on January 31, 1926. His parents were Rev. Angel Virelles Garcels, pastor of the Methodist Church in Cuba, and Angela Serrano Sarmientos, from the city of Holguin, Oriente.

He completed his studies at the Colegio Pinson at the Methodist Church of the city of Camaguey, Cuba. He completed his high school degree majoring in science and arts at the Instituto de Segunda Enseñanza, in the city of Cardenas, Cuba.

At 26 years old, he received his calling to preach the Holy Ministry of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He studied theology for 4 years at the Seminario Evangelico de Teologia of Matanzas, Cuba, and received his license to preach for the Methodist Church in 1952.

In 1956, he was united in holy matrimony to the young lady Ruth Moraleda Gonzalez, his perfect help meet, faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, and teacher at the Presbyterian School “La Progresiva” in the city of Cardenas, Cuba. God blessed their union with 5 children and later 11 grandchildren.

He served as a minister of the Methodist Church for 40 years. After serving 15 years in Cuba, he faced persecution from the communist regime for preaching the gospel and made the difficult decision to leave his beloved homeland. Accompanied by his wife and 4 children, in 1966 he left the family and ministry they loved and relocated to Miami, Florida. Shortly after arriving in Florida, he was assigned to pastor a Spanish church in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Thus began his 25 years of service ministry in the United States. It was here where he was welcomed wholeheartedly by his congregation and where his youngest daughter, who came to fill the void created by leaving his homeland, was born. Longing to be near his parents and siblings, in 1969, he accepted a position in the Methodist Church in Florida where he simultaneously pastored a church in the rural area of Wahneta and 2 missions in Lakeland and Haines City. Here he began his service which extended beyond pastoral duties and frequently included serving as counselor, mediator, chauffeur, social worker, and much more. Whatever the need, he filled it, working long hours and facing racial discrimination and situations which at times placed him and his family in peril. However, he never let fear interfere with carrying out his calling to love and care for the flock because he trusted that God would protect him.

During his ministry in the U.S., he also pastored churches in West Palm Beach, Orlando, Miami and Tampa. His final pastoral assignment was in Miami where he again pastored two churches simultaneously. Additionally, he was instrumental in helping establish the Ministerios El Buen Pastor Internacional which has flourished and grown hundredfold and is making a huge local and international impact in advancing the kingdom.

After retiring and relocating to Tampa, in 1992, he served for one year at the Church of Nazarene, which had lost its pastor. He also supported and served as associate pastor for 18 years alongside Pastor Israel Sotolongo whom he lovingly referred to as “one who currently leads a glorious revival ministry at Tabernaculo de Dios”.

As a retired pastor, he continued serving our Lord Jesus Christ well into his 90s frequently preaching at churches, prayers groups and wherever his services were needed inspiring many to grow in their walk with the Lord and prayer life.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Angel Virelles Garcels, his mother, Angela Serrano Sarmientos, his sisters Lidia and Laura Reyes, his brothers Samuel, Fernando and Carlos Virelles and his beloved wife, Ruth Virelles.

He is survived by his brother David Virelles, sisters Ana Marta Romero and Maria Virelles; his 5 children: Dr. Moises Virelles (Carol); Rolando Virelles (Luz Marina); Lidia Tiller (Ken); Angel Virelles (Mariella); Ruth Virelles; grandchildren: Alex, Natalie, Lauren, Marcus, Ivette, Andrew, Melissa, Alden, Roland, Jacob, Benjamin; great grandchildren: Alexsia, Adrian, Lucas, Kai, Arabella, Julian, Nathan, Elias, Celestina, Imogen, Mila; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation and celebration of life service for Pastor Moises Virelles will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 12 p.m. at Iglesia Tabernaculo de Dios, 13302 Lynn Rd. Tampa, FL, 33625. Interment to follow at Sunset Memory Gardens, 11005 N US Highway 301, Thonotosassa, Fl. 33592.

We kindly ask that for flowers to be delivered to Gonzalez Funeral Home on Friday, October 6, 2023, 7209 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL, 33614.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneral.com for the Virelles family.