Meet James Riofrio, a Master of Divinity student at Duke and a candidate to ministry with a passion for The United Methodist Church. From his upbringing in the Church of the Nazarene to finding his place in the UMC's mission of social activism, his journey embodies a call to unity, community, and genuine love for all.
Transcript:
My name is James Riofrio, and I am a third year Masters of Divinity School student at Duke Divinity School. I see myself contributing to the future of the United Methodist Church by becoming an elder in the church.
I was born in Quito, Ecuador, and I spent some time in Argentina where my parents worked at a seminary, and I grew up in Southern Connecticut where my parents are currently pastors and have been for the past 18 years. I grew up in the church, I grew up as a pastor's kid, and it was an experience that had challenges and joys all in one's experience in one’s journey, but it's kind of what led me to this new journey and this new goal in my life.
The Hispanic House of Studies, also known as La Casa, at Duke Divinity School celebrated its 15th anniversary October 12, 2023. This milestone marks years of sowing, excitement for future harvest and serves as a beacon of hope for ministry within The United Methodist Church.
Watch: The Hispanic House of Studies at Duke Divinity School Celebrates 15th Anniversary
The Hispanic House of Studies is an amazing initiative here at Duke Divinity School and it truly embodies what the UMC is trying to stand for when it comes to inclusion, justice, peace and reconciliation. I got involved with the Hispanic House of Studies my spring semester of my first year. for me the Divinity School means the Hispanic house here at the Divinity School means community, it means family and it just means a space that we can be welcomed, we can share stories and we just can have a space and be able to breathe a little bit.
Having grown up in the Church of the Nazarene. I had similar theological beliefs and values that the United Methodist Church had, which made it an easy transition for me to get into the UMC. However, what really brought me to the UMC was the people that I found while I was at Divinity School and the leaders, and how they truly embodied the UMC's mission to put faith into action through social activism, through protest, through resistance. And for me, that’s what brought me in. being able to bridge both society, church, and people together.
Since joining the UMC, I've been able to meet leaders, pastors, ministers, which has changed my perspective. I've been able to be in conferences and meetings. I've been able to see some challenges within the UMC, but also many joys. And I think that all in one, it embodies what a church is trying to achieve, which is unity, which is community, being one with each other and being one with God.
My hope for the church is to live out this mission that we have put before us to truly be a people that bring people together that love one another genuinely, that care for each other. And I see that my role is to partake in that in whatever former capacity the Lord calls me.
This video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tennessee, USA and published on February 27, 2024. Contact: Aileen Delgado
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