Steven Gonzalez passed from this life and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Sunday afternoon, December 12, 2021. In the days leading up to his homegoing, he was surrounded by his children and those he loved, as they prayed for him to be ushered into the Presence of the LORD.

Steven was a loving husband to Wanda Diaz. He was preceded in death by his father Santos Gonzalez and mother Carmen Diaz and will be buried with them in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He is celebrated as brother to Richard Gonzalez and his wife Nery Rodriguez, Father/Papi to Danny Gonzalez and his fiancé Jen Marzano, Stevie Gonzalez and his wife Chloe, and Becky McNabb and her husband Trent. He is Papa to grandchildren Christopher Camacho, Riley Thompson, Chloe Camacho, Ethan Camacho, Ella McNabb, Gabriel Gonzalez, Michael Camacho, Jude Gonzalez, Lukas Gonzalez, and David McNabb. His life and legacy are carried in the hearts of these beloved family members.

Steven was born on October 28, 1960, at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Hospital in New York City. He and his family returned to their home in Puerto Rico in 1965 where they remained until his early adult life. After beginning a family of his own, he moved to Daytona Beach, Florida in 1983 where he completed an Associate Degree in Aviation Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. From 1985 – 1989, Steven served in the Army and was a Sergeant in the 82^nd Airborne, Combat Aviation Brigade where he served as a helicopter mechanic based out of Ft. Bragg in North Carolina. He returned to Florida to complete his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management. Throughout the early ‘90s, Steven pastored at multiple churches, eventually beginning Way of Life Ministries – with Betsy Sarazen – in 1997.

Way of Life ministries was the heart and soul of Steven’s life passion – “to represent the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His power to this sight and sound generation” – and it combined acrobatics, drama, and dance in an artform he coined as “Acrodramance”. Together, Steve and Betsy, devoted over a decade to training and discipling dozens of young people in the Way of Life company and took their storytelling throughout the United States as well as Israel, Ecuador, Colombia, Barbados, and Puerto Rico.

Steven will be missed for the contribution he made in the lives of many. His creative legacy, heart for worship, and inspired message will remain in our hearts forever. +++