
I was born in Salinas, CA, where my parents resided for five years before relocating to Mexico. From the ages of six to 15, I grew up in Mexico. I moved to San Diego to live with my grandparents. At Casa de Oración church, I met Liz, and we married in San Diego and have two children: Josue (26) and Samuel (24). I hold an M.Div. from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Arts in Religion from Claremont School of Theology. I have been a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for 30 years.
Attending Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) classes at Loma Linda University Medical Center inspired me to consider the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program at Iliff School of Theology. During my first sabbatical, I consulted with my friend and pastor Martin Tapia and his wife, Lori Tapia. They played a crucial role in helping me discern my vocational path and encouraged me to enroll in a CPE unit. One of the key texts during my CPE studies was “The Practice of Pastoral Care” by Carrie Doehring, a faculty member at Iliff. This book profoundly resonated with me, bridging my personal experiences with the professional growth I was undergoing. The connection to esteemed faculty like Doehring was a significant factor in my decision to apply to Iliff. Doehring’s work explores embodied theologies, offering a nuanced perspective that integrates religious, biblical, pastoral, and theological dimensions. She emphasizes the importance of psychological insights, particularly for the Hispanic community, where there is a pressing need to connect psychological concepts with scriptural doctrines to enhance pastoral care. Doehring’s approach, which combines psychological understanding with theological and cultural assessments, provides a robust framework for aspiring D.Min. candidates at Iliff. Doehring’s methodology enriches the academic experience and enhances the capacity to serve effectively as pastors in congregational settings or as chaplains in hospice care.
I serve as the Pastor at Iglesia Nueva Vida in Riverside, CA, drawing on over 20 years of experience in various roles within a Christian congregational setting, including Assistant Pastor, Senior Pastor, and Church Planter.
My wife and I are genuinely passionate about learning and traveling. Our shared enthusiasm for exploring diverse places, from historical sites to Gothic architecture, castles, rustic structures, and cuisines, is a privilege we cherish. In recent years, we have been fortunate to visit numerous locations in the United States and abroad including Scotland, London, Paris, Bruges, Brussels, Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Rome, Pisa, and various cities in Mexico such as Guanajuato, Cancun, and Guadalajara. This passion for exploration and learning is a driving force in both my personal and professional life.
Since 1996, I have dedicated myself to ministry within a local church affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, undertaking various local, regional, and national responsibilities. These roles have included serving as treasurer and moderator for Convencion Hispana, representing Obra Hispana on the General Board, and volunteering at Loch Leven Camp during summer camps. I am so excited about this new season in my life for the academic goals at Iliff. I am grateful to Iliff and the support of Disciples Seminary Foundation.
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