When her family moved to their townhouse in Arecibo, García Peraza became extremely ill. She made a promise to Mita God that if she was cured, she would always serve him.

In 1940, she and her followers founded their own church in Arecibo, and in 1947 she relocated to the current location of Hato Rey, a suburb of San Juan.

[3][4] Under García Peraza's leadership, the church founded many small businesses which provided work, orientation, and help for its members.

The church has expanded to Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Canada, Ecuador, Spain and other countries.

Puerto Rico honored Juanita García Peraza's memory by naming an elementary school after her in San Juan.