Rivera, Gonzalo R. Alers

Gonzalo R. Alers Rivera is a Global Missionary of The United Methodist Church, assigned as a Professor of the New Testament and Biblical Greek in the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico.

A layperson, he is pursuing a doctoral degree in Bible and cultures (New Testament) at Drew University and earned a Master of Sacred Theology at Drew University, a Master of Divinity at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico and a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and management at Ana G. Mendez University. His most recent employment was as adjunct professor at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico and the University of Theology of the Caribbean. A member of the Methodist Church in Puerto Rico, Gonzalo attends Iglesia Metodista de Los Angeles in Puerto Rico.

“I started attending church when I was 16 years old,” he recalled, “and from the moment I arrived, I was awakened to learn more deeply about biblical texts. God has always provided opportunities for me to grow spiritually.

“As the years passed, that desire turned into a formal education that led me to two master’s degrees and a doctorate in the areas of biblical interpretation, theology and non-canonical literature. The desire to learn transitioned into a desire to educate others to ground faith in reason. In that process, I realized that this was my calling.”

Gonzalo believes God equips people to serve others.

“As a young man,” he said, “I actively participated in musical groups. Then I began to teach myself to interpret the Bible beyond the obvious. Now I feel that God has opened the doors for me with my academic preparation to bless the pastoral and lay leadership of Puerto Rico and ‘given by grace what I have received by grace.’”

Gonzalo wants to be intentional about creating new paradigms that answer faith-related questions.

“My hope,” he said, “is to continue cultivating my intellect, understanding the Bible, and bringing knowledge and experience into the classroom. Start theological conversations and provide safe spaces for students to express themselves, argue and consider other perspectives. In the process, provide space for collaborative learning that results in active participation, not only in congregations, but also in the pressing issues of our society.”

With Gonzalo serving as professor of the New Testament and Biblical Greek, the seminary will comply with the Institutional Catalog, curriculum and other areas related to academic programs. The position will assist the seminary in meeting various requirements of accrediting agencies such as the Postsecondary Institution Board of Puerto Rico, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Advanced Teacher Status, and the University Senate of The United Methodist Church by requiring specialized faculty in their teaching areas. Without this position, institutional accreditations and recognitions would be at risk.

“I have always liked to collaborate in whatever is within my possibilities,” Gonzalo said. “These experiences have been decisive in my journey to discern God’s will in my life. Without them, I would never have been able to get to where I am. Each one shaped an outline of my heart, and my next experiences will add more strength to what I am passionate about.”

“Everything I do,” he continued, “is intended to be my humble contribution to the establishment of God’s kingdom and to cultivate justice and peace for all people without requirements or restrictions. The real message of the Christian proclamation is that there is good news to share. This news involves hope, love and peace from our redeemer Jesus Christ. So, to share this good news is to share that deep love we receive every day, to help without expecting anything in return, to accompany those who need companionship, and to heal those who need healing.

“For me, mission is to reach out to others in the same way that God in Jesus reached out to humanity. Mission is not to believe that we have all the answers, but that we are committed to reflecting together in harmony with those who believe as we do, as well as with those who do not.”

Gonzalo is married to Migdalia Lopez Figueroa. “My wife and two daughters,” he said, “cheer me on, encourage me and motivate me to keep going.”