Meet Our New Student Cristina Flores!

I was born in Mexico. I moved to the United States when I was nine years old, an experience that profoundly shaped my resilience and deepened my understanding of faith and community. Today, I live in Santa Ana, CA, with my husband, Ricardo and our three children: Allison, 16; Richard, 13; and Makeyla, 5. Education has always been central to my journey. Though balancing family responsibilities made continuous study challenging, I remained steadfast in my commitment and ultimately earned four associate degrees from Santa Ana College. Most recently on June 25, I had the honor of being commissioned by the Pacific Southwest Region, marking a meaningful milestone in my ministry journey.

Pursuing an M.Div. has been a calling on my heart for many years, though for a long time it felt out of reach. As a mother and the primary provider for my family, it was hard to imagine how seminary could fit into my already full life. My connection with Pacific School of Religion began through a referral from Rev. Christy Newton and was quickly affirmed by the warmth and responsiveness of the PSR staff. From the very first email, I felt seen, welcomed, and supported. PSR didn’t just offer a program; they offered a path forward. A way to answer my call while honoring the life I’m living. With their Stackable Curriculum, I can take meaningful steps by earning certificates and degrees along the way and ultimately reaching my M.Div. at a pace that works for me. The flexibility of the program, especially its hybrid format, allows me to balance ministry, parenting, and academic growth without compromising any part of who I am.

My home congregation is Church of the Foothills in Santa Ana. I began serving there as Office Manager under the care of Interim Pastors Revs. Mary and Bill Jacobs, both alumni of PSR and DSF, who warmly welcomed and affirmed my ministry. Their encouragement and their guidance in connecting me with our Senior Pastor, Rev. Nathan Hill, played a key role in helping me continue my journey. Pastor Nathan has further supported my call, especially as I stepped into the role of Director of Christian Education, where I now serve with deep purpose and joy. He has mentored me through the commissioning process and continues to support me as I pursue my M.Div. I am truly blessed to serve in this dual role, which allows me to support the church administratively while also engaging directly with children and families through faith formation. This congregation has been instrumental in nurturing my spiritual growth and has provided space for me to grow as a leader in ways that reflect my passion for ministry. 

I am deeply passionate about lifelong learning and about building spiritual bridges between the church and home. I believe faith is not confined to sanctuary walls but is meant to be nurtured daily, especially through children and families growing together in their faith journeys. 

Looking ahead, I hope to continue serving in Christian Education Ministry, supporting children and youth as they grow in their spiritual lives. I am also eager to expand our church’s reach by ministering to Spanish-speaking families, with the hope of one day offering a Spanish-language service. Through these efforts, I want to honor the diversity of our community and help create a space where all families feel truly welcomed and spiritually at home. I also look forward to being part of the Disciples Seminary Foundation long term, walking alongside and supporting future generations as they discern and step into their own call to ministry.