Brief Biography
Edwin was ordained in in the Pentecostal faith and has been in local church leadership for over 10 years, including the Assemblies of God among other denominations. While offering itinerant preaching and supply ministry, he facilitates workshops focused on reconciling sexuality and faith, Latine and liberationist spirituality. He has served on the Advisory Committee of Encuentros Latinx, United Church of Christ (UCC) and continues to work ad hoc as a Coach primarily for Latine(a/o/x) pastors. Edwin has edited and written pieces featured in UCC devotionals, blogs, and church resources. He supports and collaborates local activism and opportunities for social change in the Latine community, in racial justice work, in immigrant sanctuary work in his state, and remains a prophetic voice about laws that disproportionately affect people of color.
Edwin has planted and led bilingual ministries, served as a member of the first Board of Directors of the Southern New England Conference UCC, and has coached pastors and churches in the Illinois Conference UCC. He attended Korsinos Bible College Seminary, has an Associate of Arts, and a Bachelor of Philosophy from Southern Connecticut State University. Currently, Edwin is a student in the Master of Divinity program at Andover Newton Seminary, Yale University Divinity School, where he co-coordinates La Comunidad–the Latinx student community–and where he serves on the Student Steering Committee. For 8 years, he has worked in office/business management—in the City of New Haven Board of Education—and has worked as an educator in English for Students of Other Languages (ESOL) in the New Haven Public Schools system. Edwin currently serves as Senior Pastor at Manantial de Gracia UCC, as Bridge Pastor to The Congregational Church of Naugatuck part-time, and as Moderator (President) of Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries.
Edwin Pérez Jr. 