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The Latina women in Texas reshaping the UMC

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

(RNS) — The Rev. Rosedanny Ortiz, a Puerto Rican pastor now based in Texas, felt alone and uncertain about her future in ministry after her United Methodist church closed due to COVID-19 complications and she suffered a stint of mental health crises.

“I had so many mixed feelings, and all this personal struggle,” she said.

Yet her commission this summer within the United Methodist Church — a public affirmation of an individual’s divine calling to ministry — represented a turning point.

“This commission was extremely special for me because it was God reassuring me that this was what I was called for,” she said. “All my experience, I can channel it into that ministry.”

She now serves as lead pastor of Agape Memorial in Dallas, a step up from her former associate pastor role and a pathway to ordination in 2028.

Ortiz is one of a handful of Latina United Methodist Church leaders in Texas who are emerging with fresh models for ministry by meeting the demands of Texas’ changing demographic landscape following years of schism, decline and uncertainty within the denomination.

For many, their leadership is vital to the survival and flourishing of United Methodist…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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Jelena Pavlović

Rosedanny Ortiz had a hard time after the closing of the church and those crises, and now he is the lead pastor at Agape Memorial in Dallas. It's nice to see that the commission gave her that sign from God. I wonder how he is handling these new responsibilities in such a changed Texas environment.

Đorđe Simić

Yes, it's nice that she got that confirmation just when it was most difficult for her. I wonder if more families from the Latino community are coming to her at Agape Memorial now or if she is trying to attract those who previously felt outside the church.

Marija Ristić

Yes, exactly in that period when the church was closed and when she had those personal crises, that commission probably gave her the wind at her back. At Agape Memorial, those Latino families who rarely came before feel more comfortable, because she understands their daily concerns. And you, Đorđe, do you think that a similar approach could work here in some parishes with immigrants?