We were lucky to catch up with Joshua Rivera recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Joshua thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
Being raised in a pastoral household provided me with an in-depth view of the various aspects of church ministry, “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” Initially, I never anticipated following in my father’s footsteps and becoming a pastor of a congregation.
I attended church regularly growing up, but it was not until the age of 23 that I developed a personal belief in God. In hindsight, I realize now that one thing is to grow up in church, and another thing is to grow up in Christ. I totally believe there’s a significant distinction between religion and a relationship with God. You can tell the differences between the two by what they focus on. While attending church can provide a foundation for faith, genuine spiritual growth involves pursuing and cultivating a personal relationship with Christ.
After battling depression in a dark season of my life, I found myself by a bridge, contemplating my end. In desperation, I cried out to God, seeking true purpose in life beyond man’s religion and hoping for a reason to keep living. At that very moment, I was overcome with a “peace that surpasses all understanding.” I felt the presence of God in such a powerful way that it lifted my eyes from my brokenness and redirected them to His saving grace. From that point onward, I resolved to dedicate my life entirely to God and deepen my understanding of His will by becoming a student of His Word.
Over the following months, I dedicated more time to studying God’s Word, which led to significant moments of self-awareness, internal healing, and a refreshed perspective on my purpose and life in general. It was a time (and it still is to this day) of learning, unlearning, and relearning. I can boldly say that I am a living testimony to the words, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
What I encountered forever changed my life! What I understood through studying God’s Word laid out a foundation in which I could now share with others my testimony of freedom. As theologian D.T Niles once said, “Evangelism (the sharing of your faith) is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread (the source of spiritual nourishment).” Who is that source of spiritual nourishment to me, and now family? It’s Jesus! The one who said these words, in the Gospel of John 6:35, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
During this period of spiritual discovery, I developed a strong determination to pursue full-time ministry. This decision was supported by the leaders of my church, who saw the fruit of this calling in my life. As a result, I was sent to Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), now known as Nelson University, located in Waxahachie, Texas, for ministry training.
My season at Nelson was a difficult one, not because of the Christian academic studies ( I was excited about that, I am proud Nelson Alum) but because it was a time of detachment from everything I knew, which I now refer to as my “wilderness season.”
In the Bible, a “wilderness season” at times represented a moment of testing, refining, and spiritual growth. It was also a season usually marked by a time of solitude, hardship, and vulnerability. I felt like this was my “Wilderness moment” at Nelson University because I sensed the Lord removing, through His Word, false doctrinal beliefs and unhealthy perceptions about myself (I am of the belief that if we have a healthy Biblical understanding of the Triune God, it will positively influence every area of our lives).
I navigated through so many mixed emotions during this season; however, the Lord never forsook me. On the contrary, in the end, it made me more receptive to His guidance. I’ve come to understand that God always tests our faith before entrusting us with something greater.
Joshua, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and spent my formative years in West Liberty, Iowa. Growing up in a house with strong values, I was shaped by my parents, who leads to this day a small community congregation in the rural town of West Liberty.
Spending considerable time at my grandmother’s house, I remember her observing that I would often gather all of my action figures (G.I JOES, WWF), along with some of my sister’s Barbie dolls, and simulate conducting a church service.
According to my grandmother, I would pretend to preach to them (my then congregation, action figures), using a spatula as an improvised microphone. She mentioned that during one of these mock services, she was touched by what I was sharing regarding Jesus and decided to commit her life to Jesus.
To this day, Grandma would tell me:
“Joshua, as funny as it sounds, there was an urgency in your voice for those toys to understand the extent of God’s love for them. When I first witnessed and heard you preach, I recognized that God was preparing you to be a herald of His word.”
That same passion that I had at the age of 7 was reignited again for me in my later years, especially after enrolling at Nelson University (a Christian University).
I can confidently say to you today that my Grandma was on point regarding the urgency in my heart to share the message of Jesus Christ.
I view my role as a Pastor neither as a career nor a job. I see my role as a “high and noble calling,” with an end goal in mind: to lead as many people as I can to Jesus.
A journalist once inquired of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899–1981), who transitioned from a successful medical career to become a distinguished preacher, author, and theologian of the twentieth century, regarding all that he had left behind. Lloyd Jones responded, “I gave up nothing; I received everything. I count it the highest honor that God can confer on any man to call him to be a herald of the gospel.”
In the same way, I count it as the highest honor to be able to share with others the same message that changed my life completely: the message of Jesus Christ.
My Passion, my motivation, and my joy are to see others experience the same life-altering power of Jesus Christ that I encountered.
It is from this passion that our church was born.
On September 7, 2010, Lavan and I embarked on a journey of faith, not knowing what to expect but completely trusting that the Lord was leading us to plant a church that would reach our community for Jesus. What started as a small Hispanic congregation has flourished to become a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-generational congregation.
At Fuego Church, we don’t want to be defined as a “Hispanic church,” a “Black Church,” or a “White church” because labels have a way of segregating and keeping certain groups out. We are a “Kingdom Church,” just as diversity is present and celebrated throughout the Scriptures.
What is a Kingdom Church? It’s a congregation that embraces diversity across ethnicities. God created us for connection and fellowship! So, at Fuego Church, we see diversity as an opportunity, not as an obstacle.
Fuego Church is about declaring and demonstrating the gospel to everyone everywhere. Our goal is to become a church that collectively reaches the community and individually impacts the world around us for Jesus.
Hence the name Fuego Church. In the Bible, “Fuego,” meaning “fire” in Spanish, is often used as a symbol with multiple meanings, including God’s presence and power, as well as a symbol of renewal, spiritual passion, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Our goal is to ignite the hearts of people for Jesus so that they can then light up the world for Him.
Before ascending to Heaven, Jesus gave these powerful words found in Matthew 28:19, known as the “The Great Commission,”
“Therefore go (this is a charge and order) and make disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And indeed, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We have been faithful for 15 years to this biblical mandate. As a result, God has blessed us immensely with a series of record-breaking years in Mission giving, Discipleship, Church attendance, and Community engagement.
This easter weekend, we celebrated a record-breaking attendance of over 1,300 attendees present for one of our four worship services. However, the most significant highlight for us this year is seeing over 250 decisions for Jesus in our Sunday morning services.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
In the Bible, Paul’s Pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus ( 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) reveal the qualifications for the pastoral office, which is overwhelmingly tied to character.
Out of all the qualifications laid out in the New Testament, there is just one related to skill (he must be able to teach others) and one related to experience (he must not be a recent convert). The rest of the qualifications are based on character.
Character is key for a successful ministry, business, and organization. Many “Greats” have lost their homes and ministries by overlooking or diminishing the importance of character.
Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16
“Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; preserve in these things, for in doing this, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
When we focus on character development, our reputation will take care of itself. Talent will get you in the door, but character will keep you in the room.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Yes, the following books have been incredible resource for my pastoral and leadership development:
1- “Confident Leader” by Dan Reiland
2- “Jesus pure and simple.” by Wayne Cordeiro
3- “Leadership Pain.” by Samuel Chand
4- “Dangerous Calling” by Paul David Tripp
5- “Insanely Practical Leadership” by Stephen Blandino
6- “Zeal without burnout” by Christopher Ash
7- “Against the Wind” by J. Don George
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fuego.church
- Instagram: joshua_d_rivera
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.rivera.5209
- Twitter: @Joshua_D_Rivera
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fuego.Church
Image Credits
Elizabeth Vose
Abby Shadle