Help Light the Way: The Luminary Scholarship Effort

Rev. Giovanni Arroyo: innovative ministry helps churches become contextually relevant

The Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, M.Div. 2007 and current Doctor of Ministry student in the “Leadership Transformation and the Wesleyan Perspective” track, is passionate about recapturing the broad reach of the early church. That is why he has dedicated his innovative ministry to equipping other faith leaders to answer that challenge.

Giovanni serves as the team leader for program ministries at the General Commission on Race and Religion of The United Methodist Church. In this role, he provides resources to help United Methodist churches become contextually relevant in their diverse communities, he said.

“It is crucial for me as a pastor to go into the community often and build close ties with the diverse people I minister to,” Giovanni said. “At Wesley, I learned to advocate within the community in order for the church to be a center of hope. I also learned the importance of churches and their leaders in addressing community challenges in practical and relevant ways.”

As a scholarship student, Giovanni's time studying at Wesley prepared him for ministry in a range of communities around the country.

Giovanni’s work has taken him all over the United States, from Texas to New York, as he works with churches to develop their intercultural skills and outreach.

“It’s been a blessing to be a part of these vital conversations and to provide guidance for outreach and growth,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a resource to the church in addressing the complexities of being relevant in a diverse world.”