Larry Ocasio was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the streets of New York. He had no religious upbringing except for the occasional trip to the Catholic Church at the end of the block. After a brief stint at college in Buffalo N.Y. he migrated back to the city where he got a job at Belmont racetrack. Because of his size Larry had always entertained the idea of becoming a Jockey and now he was diving headfirst into that endeavor.

It was while working with the horses that Larry encountered the Lord. Like most other lost souls that Jesus finds, Larry had reached the end of his rope having lived a life of "wine, women and song" he was now divorced, broke and hopeless. Knowing there was more to life than what he had or was experiencing Larry grew more frustrated, angry and depressed as the days and years went by. One day his girlfriend came to his apartment {which was a converted garage} claiming that "something had happened to her that changed everything"! She had encountered a Man named Jesus who saved her and made her brand new!

She stated that their relationship would now have to change and suggested that he go to church with her. This only served to infuriate Larry, as feelings of jealousy, inferiority and a loss of control all seemed to converge on the inside of him. Although he could see a significant difference in his girlfriend’s appearance, and demeanor he was not going to church and she could keep her Jesus! However over time Larry could not shake or deny the overwhelming change that had taken place in this once co-dependent under his thumb girlfriend. Gone was the girl that did everything he demanded and in her place was a confident, mature, holy and extremely attractive woman.

Eventually her prayers and completely changed lifestyle convinced Larry that something supernatural had indeed happened to her. He secretly wondered if it could happen to him. Larry agreed to go to church, and after several weeks of kicking and screaming he too encountered this Man named Jesus in that converted garage apartment. He then went on to marry that beautiful young lady named Laurie.

The rest as they say is history. After seven years of building a strong foundation Larry and Laurie moved to Charlotte North Carolina where he attended MorningStar School of ministry. After graduating they felt led of the Lord to start an itinerant ministry and thus was born Other Side Ministries. They have since moved to Charleston South Carolina where they have been for the past five years.

Laurie Ocasio was born in Haverhill, Mass. and also grew up in an un-churched environment. She too found her self-working with horses and during a winter season came down to Calder racetrack in Hollywood Florida. It was there that she met an angry, but charismatic Larry Ocasio. During a turbulent relationship in which she found herself seeking professional counsel she also had reached the end of her rope. Leaving the racetrack and finding employment in a restaurant she made friends with a woman that kept telling her about a Man that could do the impossible. This friend kept insisting to her "she knew what Jesus could do."

In time she accepted an invitation to church where she encountered the True Counselor and her life was never the same. Through her steadfast devotion she was able to lead Larry to the Lord and together they have had the privilege of leading many to the Master. She eventually went back to that "professional Counselor" to inform him of what had taken place and to introduce him to Jesus. He responded by calling her "spiritually pompous". Isn’t it interesting when she was in bondage and willing to pay for his help she was ok, but now filled with the fullness of God Himself she was arrogant?

The Lord uses Laurie in the gift of faith, and healing. The Holy Spirit also uses her wonderfully to bring mercy, peace and redemption to crisis situations. Her ability to maintain her composure and remain steadfast in faith has been a blessing too many and is a beautiful picture of Christ-likeness. Together Larry and Laurie reflect a demonstration of Jesus that is both challenging and comforting. Their sole desire is to be sown as seed on this earth for the glory of Jesus Christ.