Rev. Dr. Ruben Saenz, Jr. - Sr. Pastor
Contact Rev. Saenz
Office (956) 383-2515 fax (956)316-1656 rsaenz@ebpumc.net
Rev. Dr. Ruben Saenz, Jr. is in his ninth year as pastor of El Buen Pastor. The framework of his theology and practice is Jesus’ self-declaration found in the gospel of John 10:10 – A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I [Jesus] came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of (The Message). Saenz says, “Ministry is about offering others, through word and deed, new and abundant life in God through faith in Jesus Christ.”
Through his pastoral leadership, many persons have committed their lives to God through profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Ruben’s gift of preaching has been used by God to touch and positively transform lives, marriages, and families. He is frequently invited to lead seminars and workshops, lecture, preach, and write articles on ministry with Hispanics.
A native of Rio Grande City, Texas, Ruben graduated from Rio Grande City High School and then attended Stephen F. Austin State University on a football scholarship. There, he attained an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and lettered three years. After graduating from SFA, Ruben taught high school and coached varsity sports (1982 – 1988). Ruben and his wife Maye also owned and operated a business for nine years (1984 – 1993).
In 1993, Ruben answered the call to the ordained ministry. He attended seminary at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He served Oak Cliff United Methodist Church in inner-city Dallas, Texas (1996 – 1997) and La Trinidad / El Divino Redentor United Methodist Churches in El Paso, Texas (1997 – 2001). He was appointed in 2001 to serve the congregation of El Buen Pastor in Edinburg, Texas.
Ruben and Maye have been married for 28 years and together have four children: Aaron (married to Iris), pastor of Valley Praise United Methodist Church in Harlingen, Texas; Christina, a school psychologist with PSJA ISD; Ruben III, attending Texas Lutheran University; and Isaac, a student in Edinburg. His wife Maye is employed with the Edinburg school district.
Through his pastoral leadership, many persons have committed their lives to God through profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Ruben’s gift of preaching has been used by God to touch and positively transform lives, marriages, and families. He is frequently invited to lead seminars and workshops, lecture, preach, and write articles on ministry with Hispanics.
A native of Rio Grande City, Texas, Ruben graduated from Rio Grande City High School and then attended Stephen F. Austin State University on a football scholarship. There, he attained an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and lettered three years. After graduating from SFA, Ruben taught high school and coached varsity sports (1982 – 1988). Ruben and his wife Maye also owned and operated a business for nine years (1984 – 1993).
In 1993, Ruben answered the call to the ordained ministry. He attended seminary at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He served Oak Cliff United Methodist Church in inner-city Dallas, Texas (1996 – 1997) and La Trinidad / El Divino Redentor United Methodist Churches in El Paso, Texas (1997 – 2001). He was appointed in 2001 to serve the congregation of El Buen Pastor in Edinburg, Texas.
Ruben and Maye have been married for 28 years and together have four children: Aaron (married to Iris), pastor of Valley Praise United Methodist Church in Harlingen, Texas; Christina, a school psychologist with PSJA ISD; Ruben III, attending Texas Lutheran University; and Isaac, a student in Edinburg. His wife Maye is employed with the Edinburg school district.
