Rev. Dr. Eduardo 'Eddie' Rivera
2022 Episcopal Candidate
Educational Background:
- Doctor of Ministry Degree (D.Min.) – 1992-1997
Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, Georgia - Master of Theology Degree (Th.M.) – 1991-1992
Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, Georgia - Bachelor of Theology Degree – 1981-1985
Seminario Metodista Juan Wesley, Monterrey, México - English as a Second Language (ESL) & Sophomore Year – 1979-1981
Lydia Patterson Institute, El Paso, Texas - High School Diploma
Preparatoria Remington, Ciudad Juárez, México – 1977-1979
Clergy Orders
- Recognition of Elder Orders and transfer as Full Member – 5/1998
New Mexico Conference of the United Methodist Church - Ordained Elder and received as Full Member – 7/1988
Conferencia Anual Fronteriza, Iglesia Metodista de México
Appointment History:
- New Mexico Annual Conference – 2021 – Present
Provost/Director of Congregational Vitality - El Paso District of the New Mexico Conference – 2016 to Present
District Superintendent - St. Paul’s UMC, Las Cruces, New Mexico – 2013-2016
Senior Pastor - St. Paul UMC, Abilene, Texas – 2009-2013
Senior Pastor - St. Paul’s UMC, El Paso, Texas – 2004-2009
Senior Pastor - Trinity-First UMC, El Paso, Texas – 3/1996-2004
Associate Pastor of Mission and Outreach - Center for Ecumenical Aid to Transients (C.E.A.T), El Paso, Texas – 1/1995-2/1996
Executive Director - Southern Illinois Hispanic Ministry, Carbondale, Illinois – 1988-1991
Missionary/Executive Director - Iglesia Metodista El Buen Pastor, Monclova, Coahuila, México – 1986-1988
Senior Pastor - Iglesia Metodista Jerusalem, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México – 1984-1986
Senior Pastor - Iglesia Metodista Bethel, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, México – 1983-1984
Senior Pastor
General And Jurisdictional Conferences Participation:
- 2020 – Reserve Delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences
New Mexico Conference Delegation - 2019 – Head of the Delegation to the Special Session of the General Conference
New Mexico Conference Delegation - 2016 – Head of the Delegation to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences
New Mexico Conference Delegation - 2012 – Reserve Delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences
Northwest Texas Conference Delegation - 2008 – Reserve Delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences
New Mexico Conference Delegation
Family Information:
My wife Hilda Rivera is a retired professional educator who is now venturing into a custom jewelry business as the maker and designer of her own products. We are in our 39th year of shared journey as husband and wife. Our daughter Lizet Dickinson and son-in-law Derek Dickinson are both attorneys and they live in Nashville, Tennessee. Lizet is the Dean of Operations of Intrepid College Prep and Derek is the Director of Advanced Planning at Jackson National. Our 4-year old granddaughter Olivia is now busy growing up and having fun in the process.
Special Interest and Hobbies
My hobbies are making musical arrangements for piano and watch soccer games especially the Mexican National Team. I do cardio workouts whenever I can visit the gym and enjoy traveling. Hilda’s hobbies are arts and crafts, shopping, listening to podcasts and Broadway shows. We enjoy going to the movies together, listening to investigative podcasts, binging, now and then, on a good Netflix series and we love visiting our grandbaby Olivia whenever possible.
Leadership Positions:
- 2021 to Present – Chair of the Conference Ministry Team, Envisioning Team and Annual Conference Planning Team. New Mexico Conference.
- 2021 to Present – Member of the Board of Trustees. McMurry University, Abilene, Texas.
- 2018 to Present – Member of the Board of Directors. Wesleyan Investive (formerly UMDF).
- 2017 to Present – Member of the Board of Directors. TMF.
- 2016 to Present – Member of the Committee on Episcopacy. South Central Jurisdiction (SCJ).
- 2016 to Present – Chair of the Conference Committee on Episcopacy. New Mexico Conference.
- 2016 to Present – Vice-Chair and Member of the Board of Trustees. Lydia Patterson Institute, El Paso, Texas.
- 2016 to Present – Member of the Board of Advisors for Regional Course of Study Perkins School of Theology (SMU), Dallas, Texas.
- 2014 to Present – Member of the Advisory Council. Center for Evangelism and Missional Church Studies. Perkins School of Theology (SMU), Dallas, Texas.
- 2018 to 2021 – Dean of the Cabinet, New Mexico Conference.
- 2016 to 2021 – Member of the SCJ District Superintendents Cohort Led by the TMF.
- 2016 to 2020 – Delegate to the World Methodist Council. Representing the New Mexico Conference of the UMC.
2015-2016 – Member of the Lead Pastors Network of Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Congregations (sponsored by GBHEM). - 2014-2016 – Chaplain of Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM). New Mexico Conference.
- 2012-2013 – Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Northwest Texas Conference.
- 2009-2013 – Member of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Northwest Texas Conference.
2006-2009 – Representative of the New Mexico Conference at the Methodist Border Mission Network (MBMN) with Bishop Whitfield. - 2001-2009 – Member of the Board of Ordained Ministry. New Mexico Conference.
- 2008-2009 – Member of the Mission Council. South Central Jurisdiction.
- 2008-2009 – Member of the Executive Committee. South Central Jurisdiction Mission Council.
- 2008-2009 – Chair of the Ethnic Ministries Committee. South Central Jurisdiction Mission Council
- 2000-2008 – Member of the Conference Team on Making Disciples (CTMD). New Mexico Conference.
- 2000-2006 – Chair of the Conference Committee on Hispanic Ministries. New Mexico Conference.
- Multiple Dates – Interpreter and liaison for various Volunteers in Missions (VIM).
From Illinois, Georgia and Texas traveling to Mexico. - 1/1993 – Participant in the World Methodist Evangelism Institute. Cliff College, Sheffield, England.
- 1988-1991 – Founder of the Southern Illinois Hispanic Ministry. Southern Illinois Conference (now Illinois Great Rivers).
- 1978-1981 – Member of the National Legislative Committee on Youth Ministries.
Iglesia Metodista de México (IMM). - 1978-1981 – Vice-President of the Conference Youth Ministries Council. Conferencia Anual Fronteriza (IMM).
- 1976-1978 – President of the District Youth Ministries Council. Distrito Occidental, Conferencia Annual Fronteriza (IMM)