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OUR PASTORS
Pastor Germán Castro
He was born in a Christian home and from an early age has served God in different ministries in his native Colombia and the USA. In 1999, Pastor Germán was transferred to the US, by the multinational for which he worked as a professional in International Trade, for 23 years. Being already settled in the USA, in the year 2005 he felt the call of God, to found El Shaddai church, of which he is the senior pastor, together with his wife, Margarita. An economist by profession, and with a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His mission and passion are to reach the Latin community of Nashville, making disciples for Christ, fulfilling the great commission and bringing the Gospel to the nations. His favorite color is blue.
Pastor Margaret Castro
Born in Bogotá, Colombia and raised in New York City, she has a degree in Business Administration & International Marketing with 23 years of experience in the corporate world. Pastor Margaret accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior through her husband's evangelization, and since then they have served together as a team for the extension of the kingdom of heaven on earth. As associate pastor of the El Shaddai church, she is the director of children and youth and her passion is ministering to women and the younger generations, and seeing lives transformed for Christ. She is pursuing theological studies at Tennessee State University and is a mother of two children: David, a Christian composer and singer, who lives with his wife Misty in Houston, Texas, and Natalia, a university student of Fine Arts at SAIC in Chicago.
STAFF
Diana Menjivar
Administrative Assistant | Accountant
She was born on November 12 in the city of Guatemala, C.A. In October of 2000 at age 13, her family moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She finished her university studies at Middle Tennessee State University in May 2010, in Accounting and Business Administration with the highest honors (Summa Cum Laude) and a perfect GPA (4.0). Happily married since 2006 with the love of her life, Nery Menjivar and they have a beautiful girl named Eliana. She is part of the El Shaddai team as an accountant since 2010. Diana works on what she likes most: numbers, administration, event organization, and in general in any area where they need it. She is currently serving in the Media Ministry, the projection and recording of our services. His favorite food is beans, and his favorite color is rosé.
Ramiro Vásquez
Director of Media and Audio
He was born and raised in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He came to Christ through music. He was baptized in 1995 and began serving the Lord by playing bass and keyboard. He moved to the United States in 1999 to study Digital Media at Greenville University (Illinois). He met his wife Rachel in college and they were married in 2001. They moved to Nashville in 2004 where they met Pastor German Castro and his family. They were active members and part of the leadership of the Church for many years until they moved to Bolivia in 2011. During that time they adopted two beautiful children, Gabriela and Benjamin. In 2017 they returned as a family to Nashville and since then they have been serving the Lord in our Church. Ramiro recently joined the Church Staff again as Media Director.
Hilsia De Jesus
Graphic Designer | Communications Assistant
Born on the enchanted island of Puerto Rico and raised in New York where she did her first grades of elementary school until age 9. From an early age, she loved drawing and painting. Her other passions were dancing and exercising. She obtained her Bachelor of Graphic Arts at the University of Puerto Rico. In September 2008 she decided to move to Tennessee with her daughters. She currently is working as Communications Assistant for El Shaddai, which fills her with great satisfaction. She has three beautiful girls: Alexia, Sarelys, Yaxandra and two dogs that are the kings of the house, Jax & Rio. In her spare time, she likes to draw, dance with her girls and listen to urban music of violins. Belongs to youth ministry organizing and supporting events for Middle & High school. She likes to serve the Lord and help other people spiritually or physically. Her birthday is on June 24, and her favorite colors are earth tones and light blue. Her favorite food is white rice with beans and tuna salad.
Marco Perez
Media | Worship Director
He was born in Oaxaca Mexico on February 20, 1989; He lives in Nashville since 2005. He is the youngest of 4 brothers. He studied Music Performance at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. He is married to the love of his life Jessica Pérez with whom they have a son named Marco Santiago. He serves in the praise and worship ministry as musical director and guitarist. He loves to participate in the ministry because his passion is to adore and reach the presence of God through music. One of his many dreams is to be able to impact the new generations through music. One of his favorite verses is Psalm 33: 3 because he believes that God deserves excellence.
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