The Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry Names Interim Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlanta, GA –– The Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry Committee (PHLM) has named Manuel Padilla interim Executive Director of the Plan. As previously announced, Rev. Francisco Cañas will be stepping down from the position on June 30th, 2020, after more than fourteen years of leading the Ethnic Plan. Mr. Padilla will start functioning in his new role on July 1st, 2020.

Padilla holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in technology management from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, México. After working in retail during his college years, as a graduate, he worked for five years as a project manager for CEMEX, the Fortune 500 building materials company. After some vocational discernment, he decided to rework the direction of his professional life. Manuel started a Master of Arts degree in Christian Leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, graduating from the program at the end of 2012.

In 2013 became a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, serving as a missionary for strategy and ministry of the Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry in the US. In the summer of 2016, Mr. Padilla was named the manager of conference relations and strategy for the Plan. Manuel, who lives in Marietta, GA, is married to Susana Armendariz, and the couple has two small boys.

“Mr. Padilla’s leadership skills, academic training, and understanding and experience with technology trends will continue to enrich the work of our Ethnic Plan,” Mr. Raúl Alegría stated.

“His experience and skills become insignificant compared to his passion and commitment to the ministry with the emerging generations of Latinx here in the US. It’s his commitment and understanding of the diversity of dynamics found in today’s context that makes him an ideal fit for the interim Executive Director,” stated Rev. Ismael Ruiz-Millan.

The Executive Board of the PHLM is excited to welcome Mr. Padilla as the new interim Executive Director until a new Executive Director is hired.

For questions and more information about this press release, contact Mr. Raúl Alegría, chair of the PHLM Personnel and Search Committee.

CONTACT
Raúl Alegría, Personnel and Search Committee Chair