I began my spiritual formation and vocation in the First Presbyterian Reformed Church of Havana, Cuba. There, I served doing youth leadership, teaching adult Bible study, and overseeing the missionary work for my local church. I was later approved by The Committee for Education and Christian Vocation of the Havana Presbytery to be a candidate for pastoral ministry and later that year I began my theological studies at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Matanzas, Cuba.

I received my degree in Theology in 2009 and in 2012 went on to received my Theology License from the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Matanzas, Cuba and was further ordained as minister of the word and sacraments in the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba after passing examinations in Pastoral Care, Liturgy, Church government, Bible, Theology, Sacraments, and Church history.

From 2006 to 2012 I spent my weekends attending to and performing the pastoral duties for seven Presbyterian Churches that were a part of three different Presbytery’s of the National Synod in Cuba. After graduation I accepted and served as Senior Pastor at the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Camajuaní. While serving as Senior Pastor I simultaneously took on the additional responsibilities of: working as moderator for the session of Presbyterian Churches in the cities Encrucijadas, Placetas, and Remedios, all located in Central part of Cuba; varied responsibilities in service of the National Synod and Presbytery of the Center; and was President of the Committees on Social Policy in the Synod, the National Center for Activities of the Presbyterian Church, in the Council of the Presbytery of the Center, Pastoral Relations Committee. I further served as Chair of the Committee on Education and Christian Vocation of the Presbytery and as Vice Moderator of the Presbytery of the Center in Cuba.

I have maintained an ecumenical position throughout my spiritual formation and pastoral ministry. Along with my pastoral work as described previously I have also worked as the general coordinator  for  Youth Programs sponsored by the National Council of Churches of Cuba (CIC) and the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI) and maintained exchange and ecumenical relationships with  organizations including: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Memorial Center; The Community of Sant' Egidio; The Christian Center for Reflection and Dialog; The Kairos Ecumenical Center for the Arts, Liturgy and Social Service; The Evangelical Church Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz; and the Evangelical Church of Anhalt (EKBO-EKD), and Berliner Missionswerk in Germany.

I have great passion for the Bible and its teachings, and the practice of community prayer.  I have always dreamt of participating in a church whose role in the society is one driven to serve, reconcile, and promote peace, while being accessible and welcoming to all without regard for race, color, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.  For me, the Church is called to be the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16), to give meaning and flavor to the life of all and to enlighten the way God gives us in faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

I joined St. John/San Juan in 2016 and it has been an honor to serve and support the Hispanic community. With the support of St John’s Episcopal Church, I started the discernment process into the Episcopal Church some years ago and I was ordained to the transitional diaconate last December 2019. My ordination to the priesthood will be in June 2020.

I join you and look forward to being of service with my wife Louise, and my children, Samuel, Gabriel, Nile and Martin. I’m grateful for the continued support of my family throughout this journey. I enjoy swimming, hiking, time by the water and dancing salsa.

I look forward to learning more about you.

Peace and Good,
Michael