Fernandez, Manuel Triunfo

Manuel Triunfo Fernandez is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. 

The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.

A lay member of the Gospel Faith group in San Andrés Cholula, Manuel assists with various activities, including the Alaime congress, musical groups, social-support events and Bible studies. He earned an advanced degree in mechatronics engineering.

As a boy, Manuel loved science, so his reality was based on science. His parents took him to a Catholic church, but he questioned his teachers. They scolded him for doubting and having his own criteria.

“When I was 16 years old,” Manuel said, “I was taken by a friend to a Christian church where I didn’t feel judged and was invited to join in a kind way and without pressure. I slowly listened and learned about God.” When the pandemic hit, his new church friends assured him that things happen for a reason.

But he still felt that something was missing. His brother took him to a gospel church at the university, and Manuel met new friends. “I had a feeling of ‘here is where I should be,’” he said. “I started to go to the meetings and talk with the pastor.” When he had to stop his studies, he was worried about what to do. His pastor told him about Global Mission Fellows. She reminded him that he was always helping people.

“I thought that maybe this is what God was planning for me,” Manuel said, “because everything I have done and lived has happened so precisely and exactly when it should have been, even if I did not think or see it at the time. That’s the reason I feel called to this, and I hope to touch other people as I was touched by God.”

Manuel seems called to help others.

“I want to use my force, knowledge and skills to improve my enviroment, help people in need, be a tool of God and share God’s love through me,” he said. “God helped me when I really needed it. When I thought I had nothing, someone gave me a hand and shared the word of God with me. I want to do that: make people feel they are not alone. When you feel broken and no one is behind you, God always is hugging you. God helps you shake off the dust and get up stronger.”

Manuel believes that serving and helping people as a fellow will guide him in defining his plans and focus on how he can impact other people and his own community. “I think this would be an excellent chance for learning what I could do, and how to do it,” he said.

“Another thing I really want to do is use my knowledge for helping in medicine. In my country, hospitals can’t help everyone and private hospitals are too expensive.” He wants to find inexpensive ways to help prevent illnesses.

He also wants to apply his engineering education to solve environmentally linked problems. “With my specialization in automation,” Manuel said, “I am equipped to create solutions that enhance task efficiency, streamline processes and improve overall productivity. I can design proposals for improving workflow systems, develop prototypes that make tasks easier or assist in educational activities, especially for children.”

With a love for learning, Manuel has worked in schools, teaching physics and math. “Teaching is something I truly enjoy,” he continued. “I see teaching as a way to give back and contribute to shaping future generations. By combining my knowledge in engineering with my passion for education, I hope to create innovations that can make a significant impact in both fields. I am particularly excited about the potential to integrate automation into educational tools and systems, improving the learning experience and making it more interactive and efficient.

“Ultimately, my goal is to work in environments where I can address real-world challenges while also helping to inspire and educate others.”