Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey
Milagro de la Frontera
Pastor Rose Mary Sánchez-Guzmán, Senior Pastor
I am from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, born into a Christian family where both my parents are pastors. I graduated from a Baptist high school, and then I attended Universidad Evangélica Boliviana (Evangelical Bolivian University) for a year and a half. I played in a Christian music band for five years and those where some of the best years of my life. I graduated from Centro Boliviano Americano (Bolivian American Center) at the same time I graduated from high school. My certificate was in Proficiency in English.
I was called to be in ministry since I was 13 years old. There was a missionary from Indiana preaching at a youth event in Bolivia when I felt called to go to the altar and promised God I was going to serve Him. I told my father I wanted to come to the USA to study and become a pastor or a missionary.
Through my father’s connections with different denominations, we were able to find a school that offered scholarships in the USA. I attended the Lutheran Bible School in California where I studied for three years. After graduation I was offered a full scholarship at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where I attended seminary for 4 years, graduating in 1996.
I came to El Paso as a Mission Developer for Cristo Rey Centro Luterano in 1997. I became their permanent pastor in 1998. Since then I have been learning about the Mexican culture and working with this community in central El Paso. I have learned more about ministry here at Cristo Rey than what I learned at seminary. I love working not only to serve the church but also to serve the community around Cristo Rey. I love the ministry of Cristo Rey and the work we do to help people with their spiritual and physical needs.
Staff
Doctora San Juana, Mission Doctor
I, the oldest of nine children, was very young when I decided to become a doctor. Despite being discouraged by teachers because I was a woman, I went on to medical school through the support of scholarships that I won by being the top student in my class. I am a family physician, surgeon, and mid-wife, and work in two clinics in Juárez. Cristo Rey has been supporting the Juárez ministry for over 20 years. In 2009 Cristo Rey called me as a missionary of their church serving in Juárez. Along with the medical clinics, we have started a scholarship program, encouraging people to be educated so they can have a better life. My committment to the work that I do is for life, working with the most vulnerable people, the most disadvantaged population.
Enrique Meléndez, Administrative Assistant & Spanish-Speaking Secretary
I was born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México. I studied Civil Engineering at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara and I studied at Universidad Autonoma de México to specialize in construction. After studying, I worked as a civil engineer at the Comisión Federal de Electricidad and at Acabados y Construcciones SAETA. Currently I am a math tutor at El Paso Community College and work part time as an administrative assistant at Cristo Rey. I like my work at Cristo Rey because we have a positive environment where we respect and support each other in our work and in our personal lives. I have two daughters and four beautiful granddaughters, with a fifth grandchild on the way.
Pat Marruffo, Administrative Assistant & English-Speaking Secretary,
I like working in this community, especially this church, because all the people here make you feel like a real family. I am a true Texas girl, born in Waco, Texas. I came to El Paso with my parents at the age of six months and I have been here ever since. I met Pastor Rose Mary in 1997 and told her I wanted to support this church. Shortly after this, I became a member and began my work here. My husband and I have found a calling in serving this church.
Nathan Mawhirter, Border Immersion Program & After School Program Coordinator
My name is Nathan and I was born and raised in northern Ohio. Recently, I graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in International Relations and Spanish, with a minor in religion. I have grown up in the lutheran church and I look forward to being a part of the Cristo Rey family! In my free time, I enjoy reading, working out, and going on adventures. I also like to learn more about Latin America and the cultures surrounding the border regions.
Megan Clayburn, After School Program Coordinator
Hello! My name is Megan and I was born in El Paso but spent most of my life in Ohio. Recently my husband and I moved back to the area and after attending Cristo Rey's Sunday service I got involved with the After School Program. My husband and I also enjoy being a part of the music team at Cristo Rey. We love El Paso, the community and all of the outdoor activities here.
Ceci Herrera, CEPCO Director
My name is Cecilia "Ceci" Herrera. I am a retired Social Worker, Licenced Chemical Dependency Counselor and a Certified Prevention Specialist, designations awarded through the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals. Currently and thanks to the patronage of the Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, I am still serving as the Director on a volunteer basis to continue with the project that started as a dream, and as a result, I found it to be my life project. I still attend continuing education classes and annual conferences, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) annual forum to keep abreast of trends in this subject, so we can provide better services by implementing science-based programs. This is the legacy that I want to leave behind me, so others can give back to this great community. I feel very proud about the results when youth come to us and we see them now as individuals fulfilling their full potential and as professionals with a purpose in life. Now, after 21 years of CEPCO's inception in the community, I can assure that partnerships in prevention work!
Concepción Pérez, Health Promoter
My name is Concepción Pérez, and I am a health promoter. I work in the colonias and am a volunteer at Cristo Rey. My job is to help the communities have a better quality of life. I have partnered with various community organizations, such as CEPCO, to bring more resources into our community. I have also had years of experience as president of the Golden Hills Neighborhood Association.
Juán de Dios López, Lay Pastor
I was born in Torreón, Coahuila, México. Since age ten, when I was helping with the catechism classes in my community, I felt called to serve in the Church. When I was 14 years old, I migrated to Juárez in search of job opportunities. While in Juárez I was very involved with several ministries of the Catholic Church, such as teaching the Catechism, pre-Baptismal classes, and assisting with liturgy. At that time, my parents and I felt a strong call to serve in the Church. In Juárez, I met my wife Adriana and got married. When I was 36 years old I immigrated to El Paso, Texas, in search of better opportunities for my family. Like many immigrants, I had a difficult time finding opportunities during my first year, and that led me to find a church where I could not only receive support but also serve. In this search I found Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey and felt it was the right place for me. After serving in various ministries at Cristo Rey, I was called as Lay Pastor in 2009 and they supported me to go to Diaconal School in Los Angeles, California. I am currently in the process of starting seminary to become an ordained pastor of the ELCA.