My name is Zhenya Gurina-Rodríguez, and I was born in the former USSR, living in both Ukraine and Russia during my childhood. My faith journey began at the age of 12 in the Russian Evangelical Baptist Church. Breaking with the traditions of that community, I pursued a college education after high school, graduating from Voronezh State University with a degree in cross-cultural communication, majoring in English and minoring in Spanish.
Answering God’s call, I left the Baptist church, which did not have a path for women like me. The United Methodist Church in Russia was the only denomination that recognized my gifts and calling. At New Commandment UMC, I found a loving and encouraging community that allowed me to explore my ministry calling and develop my leadership skills. After a season of healing and growth, I embraced my call to ordained ministry within the UMC.
In 2006, I moved to Fort Worth, TX, to attend Brite Divinity School. During my seminary years, I had the opportunity to serve in various ministerial roles. The most defining period of my pastoral call was serving as a pastor at Nueva Vida UMC, where I worked primarily with the immigrant community from Mexico and Central America, as well as individuals experiencing homelessness in Fort Worth. My time at First UMC deepened my understanding of God’s grace and how all the experiences where I sense God’s presence are sacred steps in my journey.
My academic research has been inspired by my personal experiences of God’s restorative power in the world. I focus on poverty studies and, more broadly, imperial criticism of the Bible. I believe that God’s grace and love are at work wherever people’s freedom, dignity, and Imago Dei are restored and proclaimed. This vision of God’s powerful grace transcends humanity and extends to all creation.
My fascination with the Bible began early in my faith journey and has only deepened over the years. Like many others, I find that I accumulate more questions than definitive answers. I have become comfortable with the mysteries beyond my understanding, glimpsing the reality of the Kingdom of God just out of reach. The Bible is the channel through which my faith in God continues to stretch, ripple, and transform. Through the centuries of different voices of faith, I find my own voice within the Scripture’s cacophony.
When I am not thinking deep thoughts and wading through the Scriptures, I enjoy my time with my family – my husband Edwin Rodríguez, our son Theodore and daughter Diana. We have four furry babies – Buddy, Rusty, Isabel, and Eddy. We love Little League Baseball, movies, delicious meals, and an unhealthy amount of snacks, chicken nuggets, and french fries!
My Book
