Rochester, NY Jesse and Desire Cruz are a dynamic duo driven by faith, purpose, and a deep commitment to empowering others. Through their organization, Merge Worldwide, they’ve transformed personal tragedy into a mission to inspire and uplift individuals across the globe. Founded in memory of their late daughter, Faith Cruz, the organization merges personal development, speaking, and live events to help entrepreneurs, professionals, and everyday people share their unique stories and discover their purpose. With initiatives like Mic Story, the Warrior Women movement and the Paid Speaker Partnership, the couple works tirelessly to create meaningful connections and impactful experiences, leaving a legacy of hope, resilience, and empowerment.
In an exclusive interview with the nation’s premier faith-based and professional newspaper for winners, Anointed News Journal, the Cruz’s express their passion of creating experiences that matter and inspiring 1 billion people to change the world.
Collins II:
Who are Jesse and Desire Cruz?
J. Cruz:
First and foremost, I am a man of faith, a husband, and a father. What I love to do is help professionals gain clarity in their message. I truly believe that everyone has a message worth sharing and a story worth telling. I enjoy helping other professionals share their messages of hope and encouragement, enabling others to feel seen, heard, and understood.
Collins II:
And who is Desire Cruz?
D. Cruz:
Similarly, I am a woman of faith, a wife, and a mother to three beautiful daughters. I feel called to represent women empowerment, encouraging and inspiring entrepreneurs to share their stories. Specifically, I want to highlight the warrior women in the world—those who walk around as warriors yet aren’t recognized enough. I aim to inspire them to share their stories and the lessons they want their bloodlines and the world to know.
Collins II:
I know you both do a lot of things together and individually, but it all stems from Merge Worldwide, right? Can you tell us what Merge Worldwide is and what inspired you to start it?
D. Cruz:
Merge Worldwide is a company Jesse and I started as a result of our journey through the NICU. It’s in memory of our youngest daughter, Faith Marie Lucille Cruz, who was born on January 6, 2017, and passed on February 16, 2017. Her 42 days of life stopped our world and forced us to focus deeply on our faith and personal development. The highs and lows of her life and the NICU experience made us realize the importance of sharing our stories.
Jesse found his voice in representing men, encouraging them to share their personal development journeys. Through our daughter’s life and death, we discovered a purpose that honors her and brings together our passions. Merge Worldwide merges personal development, speaking, and encouraging entrepreneurs to share their stories, all while keeping Faith’s memory alive. Our goal is to impact as many people as possible, helping them recognize the power of their stories.
Collins II:
One way you serve your clients and community is through live events. Can you talk about that aspect of your mission?
J. Cruz:
One of the greatest things we can do as human beings is come together in the same room. In a digital age, there is no replacement for in-person human connection. We host events like speaker competitions, retreats, and women’s conferences to bring people together from all over the world to build meaningful, purposeful relationships.
When we host events, it’s not just about attending—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences. We aim for attendees to leave with memories that last a lifetime because something special happened. These events are all about fostering genuine connections and impactful moments.
Collins II:
Beyond live events, you both have individual projects. Jesse, you have your coaching community, and Desire, you have Warrior Women coaching. Can you elaborate on those?
D. Cruz:
Yes, Warrior Women offers heart-centered coaching, an anthology, and events for women. Jesse and I both coach and speak, and we’re both authors. Warrior Women focuses on empowering women, while Jesse’s coaching community helps entrepreneurs and professionals refine their storytelling to grow their businesses.
Collins II:
Jesse, could you explain your Paid Speaker Partnership community? Who is it for, and what’s it about?
J. Cruz:
Regardless of industry, strong communication skills lead to better leadership and client results. My community focuses on helping entrepreneurs and professionals tell impactful stories to grow their businesses. It’s also about partnering with others who have complementary skills, building purposeful and profitable relationships, and learning strategic storytelling to create more opportunities.
Collins II:
What’s next for Jesse and Desire Cruz, Merge Worldwide, and beyond?
D. Cruz:
On a personal level, we’re celebrating our daughter’s high school graduation in June 2025. Professionally, we’re continuing with live events, exploring new countries with our speakers, and expanding into areas like military contracts. Personally, I’m also aiming to fill a theater with women in the near future.
Collins II:
That sounds amazing. You’re definitely making an impact. How can readers connect with you?
D. Cruz:
Our website is MergeWorldwide.com. I’m also on Facebook under my name, Desire Cruz and Instagram at DCruz742014.
J. Cruz:
For me, connecting on Facebook under Jesse Cruz works best.
Collins II:
What final words would you like to share with the readers of the Anointed News Journal?
D. Cruz:
I’ve learned that our calling is one of the most significant pieces of understanding our purpose. When we walk in our purpose and embrace a mission bigger than ourselves, we’ll face both highs and lows. However, our calling helps us triumph over challenges. It strengthens our faith and teaches us who we truly are. By stepping fully into our calling, we can overcome obstacles and impact the world in meaningful ways.
Collins II:
Beautifully said. Thank you both!
Jesse and Desire Cruz exemplify how purpose and faith can transform lives and inspire change. Through Merge Worldwide, they honor their daughter’s legacy by empowering others to share their stories and step into their calling. Their unwavering commitment to creating impactful connections and uplifting communities ensures their mission will continue to inspire and impact countless lives for years to come. I personally, and others I know have been a part of many of their events. The amount of love and value that Jesse and Desire pump into the atmosphere is remarkable.
By Christopher Collins II
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