Acero Valencia e-mail: acerovalencia@infosel phone: 956/285-3985 Objective: To utilize my education, interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities to become part of a Church leadership team which promotes the growth of the Kingdom of God, especially in the context of Hispanic Ministries. Education 2006 M.A., Religious Studies, Edinburg Theological Seminary, Edinburg, TX– -In Ministerial Partnership with Dios con Nosotros PCA & UySTJC, DF, MX- (Have completed 36 hours; thesis/degree expected end of 2006) 2001 M.Sc., Systems Administration, The Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon – Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico 1997 B.Sc., Civil Engineer, The Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon – Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico Church Experience Local Church Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church National Presbyterian Church Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico * Ruling Elder * President of the Society of Young People’s Christian Movement * Sunday School Director (Various Periods). * Counselor for Young People’s Society. * President of the consistory (in absence of the pastor). * Director of the cells dedicated to work of evangelism * Cell leader * Representative before the Honorable Presbytery of the Northeast Presbytery North East Presbytery National Presbyterian Church Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico * Executive Committee (Treasurer) * Representative before the Board of Directors of “Laredos Unidos”. * Representative before “MIP” (Presbyterian Inter-Border Ministry) Border Ministries Inter-Border Ministry Laredos Unidos Nuevo Laredo, MX / Laredo, TX * Representative of the NE Presbytery before the Board of Directors * Helped in diverse ways in this mercy ministry developed between the Presbyterian churches on both sides of the border within the vicinity of the “Two Laredos.” Teaching Ministry Local Church Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church National Presbyterian Church Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico * Catechism Instructor * Religious Education Teacher Courses Taught: --Catechism --Confession of Faith --Discipline and Constitution (for Elders & Deacons) --Liturgy (for Elders & Deacons) --Membership --Discipleship --Service --Evangelism --Doctrines of Grace Seminary Edinburg Theological Seminary Edinburg, TX * Appointed Seminary-Church Representative (Fall, 2006) * Appointed PT Instructor, Church Liturgy/Music (Spring, 2007) Formal Letters of Recommendation Local Churches The Rev. Hilario Gonzalez Torres (ENCLOSED) Pastor, Divine Redeemer NPC Monterrey, MX The Rev. Carlos Cano (ENCLOSED) Pastor, La Vid PCA Laredo, TX Presbytery The Rev. Angel de la Cruz Tamay Che (ENCLOSED) Secretary, North East Presbytery, NPC Monterrey, MX Seminary The Rev. Prof. Pedro Guzman (ENCLOSED) President, Edinburg Theological Seminary Pastor, Dios con Nosotros PCA Edinburg, TX Border Ministries Dir. Noe Espinosa Orta (ENCLOSED) Coordinator, Presbyterian Inter-Border Ministries Monterrey, MX 4701 Gallagher Street, Apt 4 Laredo, TX, 78041 e-mail: acerovalencia@infosel phone: 956/285-3985 Dear Pastor, September 12, 2006 I grew up as a second-generation Presbyterian in Mexico; in fact, I am a “PK”—my father is a Presbyterian pastor, and my earliest recollections revolve around the busy pastoral life within an active congregation; I remember especially feeling safe and secure in the shadow of the church. Early on I had an aptitude for science, but also a vague notion that God had his hand upon me for a special service. The latter, although it weighed on my heart, I believe I kept purposefully vague in my life, as I was determined not to pursue my father’s career: being an evangelical pastor in Mexico when I was growing up was a hard thing. I studied for and became a very successful Engineer (see Engineering resume), but always that tug in my heart remained. I married a beautiful opera singer, and had a beautiful daughter; but still life did not seem to satisfy me, even when we moved to America—a move which I thought would help quell the unfocused feelings that persisted in pulling me from my secular work. Since I loved music, my wife and I began to sing for churches, and slowly again that pull on my heart-strings began to manifest itself with new insistence. I was singing for a concert held at Rev. Jerry Maguire’s Church in Harlingen, TX, when all of the Hispanic Presbyterian pastors of the PCA in the Rio Grande Valley were present; providentially, they were meeting there after the concert to discuss establishing a theological degree program for Hispanics. The concern of the pastors was with the enormous growth of the Hispanic population throughout North America, and the inability to absorb that great and fastest growing segment of the population into Presbyterian churches sensitive to their spiritual needs. I immediately thought to myself: here, providentially, God has put an institution—Edinburg Theological Seminary—which can help me determine once-for-all if God is calling me into full-time Church Ministry: I will commit myself before the Lord to seek His guidance; if he blesses my studies, I will take it as a sign from Him that I should continue this path that has so long been calling me into full-time service. The Seminary is a graduate program only, so I was apprehensive about the academics, but with my university degrees and church background I was soon admitted—although still worried, especially about Greek! I am happy to report that my God has quieted all my doubts and fears and led me into a new life of service. On December 11, 2005, I was awarded the ETS “John Knox Honors Prize,” which reads, in part: The highest honor bestowed by the Seminary, the John Knox Honors Prize recognizes the recipient as exemplary in their academic, ministerial and personal achievements. It carries with it a semester’s tuition scholarship.” Today, by His grace, I am seeking full-time ministry, and prayerfully ask for your consideration as an Assistant Pastor for Hispanic/or/ Adult-Youth ministries. Sincerely yours, Acero Valencia (Resume Attached) |