Mike & Julia

Since 1985, Mike has had the opportunity to travel the world through his Christian rap music and motivational speaking. In obedience to God, Mike and Julia chose to remain in Rochester, where they have dedicated their lives to bettering the lives of those living in the city, especially its youth and young adults.

Mike and Julia Peace today lead Bethel Express of America, Inc., a New York not-for-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status, where Mike serves as Executive Director & President and Julia services as Vice President. Both also serve on the Board of Directors.

When Mike and Julia started serving Bethel Express over 30 years ago, it was a children’s ministry outreach of Bethel Christian Fellowship (their home church). Through the support of the church, they were able to build a strong presence in the Rochester public schools, teaching two curriculums “A.R.I.S.E.” (Achieving Respect In Society Educationally), which was featured in a medical abstract, and “Abstinence,” which focused on character development and had lasting results in deterring teen pregnancy and STD rates. In 2010, under their leadership, and the full blessing of the church, they were able to incorporate separately as Bethel Express of America, Inc.

Although B.E. kids enter the program at 6-12 years of age, these children stay on with Bethel Express through high school and beyond. Bethel Express has a 100% high school graduation rate for their kids. Many are rewarded scholarships and many B.E. Alumni have acquired Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees.

Mike and Julia have also been involved in public outreach traveling across the U.S. doing gang and prison ministry in major urban cities, such as NYC, Detroit, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and Atlanta, where they encourage young people to leave the drug game and/or gang life and become gainfully employed or educated.

Mike has also spent over 30+ years as a visiting volunteer chaplain all over the state of New York. Mike had even served for over 25 years as a guest Chaplain for the Buffalo Bills and their visiting opponents. Mike has also been a guest professor at Elim College.

In 2005, Julia joined 4 other special women of God to be part of the international Christian Television Show “A Different View” produced by TCT. The cast with Julia included Jeri Barracks, Jackie Davis, Delia Know and Jill Kelly and addressed current issues with Godly counsel and salvation opportunities for 5 years.

Mike and Julia are both ordained ministers under Christian International Apostolic Network, under the leadership of Bishop Bill Hamon, Santa Rosa, Florida.

Although their work may not seem very visible, they work in the trenches with such passion and commitment. They have touched the lives of countless young people.