I am a native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx. Between 1985-1996, I served various capacities of ministry (within the Pentecostal faith tradition), such as Bible Institute Instructor, Sunday School Superintendent, and youth leader. Since 1990, I’ve worked in the United Methodist church, mostly as a conference speaker and pulpit supply.
In 2000 I became a member of First Spanish UMC in Spanish Harlem. In 2003, I entered the Ordination track; I was ordained as an Elder in full connection in 2012 byBishop Jeremiah Park. I’ve been serving as a pastor for 14 years.
In terms of my education, I received a B.A. in Anthropology and Philosophy (Departmental Honors in Philosophy) and an M.A. in Modern European History (Raymond Sontag Award) from Herbert H. Lehman College, Bronx, NY. In 2009 I received a Master of Divinity degree from Drew University, the Theological School, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2018 from the same school. My Doctoral Thesis (The Mañana Project) focused on the undocumented Latino immigrant population in Central Islip and their struggles in obtaining employment, housing, and medical care. In terms of pastoral ministry, I served at St. Stephen Spanish UMC, Bronx, NY (2006-2008), The Church of the Village, in New York’s West Village (2008-2011), and Broadway Temple UMC in Washington Heights (2011-2013).
Since 2013, I’ve been serving at Hauppauge UMC and FUMC in Central Islip, NY (since 2013). I am currently serving as member of the Lay Servant Committee and the District Committee on Ministry (LIE ). I am also an instructor for the Hispanic Fellowship. I do volunteer work at the Hands Across Long Island Wellness and Recovery Center in Central Islip, a program that offers mental health services to people struggling with mental health and the homeless population. I am also a member of the Hauppauge Interfaith Association. In May of this year, my wife Yvonne and I celebrated 40 years of marriage. We have four children and four grandchildren. Yvonne is a Social Worker, and has been in the field for over 30 years.
