Meet Our Founder

As CEO and president of the “Love Me Now” Outreach Ministry, Carlose is gifted with an undeniable passion that causes him to advocate for those who have been hurt, overlooked, and traumatized by life.  He oversees every facet of the ministry as he drives the mission, fundraising, operations, and engagement with the board of directors.  He is committed to seeing hearts mended, lives transformed, and men and women empowered to survive in our society.  His life experiences are the driving force to help those who resemble who he once was.

 

As one of six siblings born in Washington, DC, Carlose grew up in the Lincoln Heights housing projects.  His life includes trials and triumphs, but it ultimately reveals how God has worked all things together for his good. Carlose candidly shares some of the low moments of his life to testify that even though we sometimes seem outside God’s will, we are never beyond His reach.

 

As a teenage 10th grader, he was permanently expelled. He became the leader of a small neighborhood gang and was twice arrested.  After his last arrest, his mother no longer had the will to see her son in jail.  The loss of his freedom and the feeling of abandonment encouraged him to change his ways.  However, before making a complete change, his journey included repeated altercations, a newfound drug habit, and even homelessness.

 

Much like the Apostle Paul, his life reflects the divine intervention of God. It was in the early 1980s that he responded to the voice of God.  With the same level of energy that he had used to fight in the streets, he began to fight for God’s kingdom and the people of God. As he struggled to get his life on track, he met and married his wife Verneder, who he says truly loved him back to life. He also credits the change in his life to his God-fearing mother, who consistently prayed for her children.    

 

Carlose has a heart that has always been drawn to those who – once like him – appears to be losing the fight with life.  As he grew in the knowledge of God, he began to realize the purpose of his life.  He has a passion for outreach and witness. He visits the sick, ministers to the homeless, provides food and clothing to those in need, mentors and creates youth programs, and works at food banks.  He is driven by an unbridled passion for his neighborhood to consistently reach back, revisit, rescue, and reconnect.

 

He wants the story of his life journey to inspire faith and to be an example of what Christ can do in your life if you trust Him.  His desire is that his transparent testimony and the work of his hands will empower people to live. His journey is truly a reflection of God’s grace and His divine power to intervene and order our steps.  It is only the Power of God that has led Carlose to this ministry venture.    

 

From trial to triumph, Carlose cherishes the memory of a mother whose prayers continue to undergird him.  As he fulfills his purpose and does ministry, he continues to enjoy life with his wife, Verneder.  He is the proud father of 5 handsome sons, and he has four grandkids who are the loves of his life.