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SERVICE OF INSTALLATION

OF

THE REV. DR. EZEQUIEL HERRERA-RODRIGUEZ

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024

3:00 P.M.

Central Presbyterian Church of Montclair Selects Ezequiel Herrera as New Minister

Central Presbyterian Church of Montclair, has chosen Pastor Ezequiel Herrera to step into the role of full time Minister. Herrera takes the reins from Interim Pastor Peter Wilkinson who served Central for nearly two years. The formal ministerial installation of Pastor Herrera will take place this Sunday at 3 pm, at Central Presbyterian 46 Park Street in Montclair and all are welcome!

Pastor Herrera will be accompanied by members of Central Presbyterian Church, friends in the greater Montclair community, his family and distinguished members of the North East Presbytery.

Pastor Herrera said he chose to answer the call from Central for a few reasons, however, the most important was based on Central’s Mission statement. It reads in part...."“We are a caring, inclusive congregation that strives to grow in Christian Faith, Proclaim the Good News, and provide service in ministry to each other, our diverse community, and the world.”

Herrera added, I cannot stop sharing with everyone I encounter about the love, generosity and the life transforming experience one undergoes, when one enters into a deep and meaningful relationship with our Lord and Savior. The faith community at Central is committed to living up to that mission statement, and I can't wait to join them on this journey

 

Clerk of Session and Member of Central’s Pastor Nominating Committee, Frederick Moulongo, of Bloomfield, NJ said “During the selection process I came to see Pastor Ezequiel as a pastor who would bring a fresh start. A shepherd who will bring his sheep together. Someone who will reconnect us with our community as he has done in his last two pastoral calls.”

Central Church and Session member Emma Justice, of Cedar Grove, NJ observed, “It’s a time of great transition for all institutions and churches in America. People’s relationships to churches are changing. Central Presbyterian Church is evolving and we hope that Pastor Herrera will lead us as we face the challenges and opportunities ahead, and be our guide as we continue to serve the community.

Pastor Herrera joins Central Presbyterian Church after spending eight years in Texas serving as Pastor of New Life Faith Community in McAllen, Texas; Pastor at First Lutheran Church of Edinburg Texas and as Pastor at Faith/FE Presbyterian Church in Lockhart Texas.  

Pastor Herrera is no stranger to the East coast, he and his wife, Ines, raised their two daughters, Lilliam and Sarah, in Bergen County, NJ. Prior to living in Texas, Pastor Herrera spent ten years serving two Presbyterian churches in Yonkers, NY where he was very engaged in community outreach projects and developing a youth ministry. He graduated Princeton Theological Seminary’s Lay Pastor program. Prior to going to Seminary Herrera was an attorney.  He said, God’s Call to Pastoring was stronger than continuing as a lawyer.

After moving to Texas, Herrera graduated in 2020 from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  He was awarded the W.P. Newell Fellowship in recognition of superior accomplishment and readiness for the ministry. Herrera was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He is a follower of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He likes Baroque and some modern music, is an avid reader especially of history, and a student of conflict resolution.

Below Photo of Pastor Ezequiel Herrera, Central Presbyterian Church in Background 10/2024

Central Sanctuary dusk edited.jpg

Pastor Ezekiel Herrera Accepts Call to Become Central's New Pastor

At a congregational meeting held on Sunday, May 5th, the PNC presented its final report and recommended the church call Pastor Ezekiel Herrera to become Central’s new pastor. The congregation voted to elect Pastor Herrera and Pastor Herrera accepted the call to become the new leader of the church. Pastor Herrera is expected to begin his ministry in Montclair at the beginning of July 2024.

 

Pastor Ezekiel is no stranger to the Northeast, having spent 10 years serving 2 Presbyterian churches in Yonkers, New York. He and his wife, Ines, raised their 2 daughters, Lilliam and Sarah, in New Jersey. Pastor Ezekiel spent the last 6 years serving as a Pastor in Texas.

 

Following the meeting, Pastor Herrera said:

 

“It is an honor to have been offered the call to become the pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Montclair and I am delighted to accept. I very much look forward to beginning my work and I know the church will move forward and go from strength to strength. I am excited to get started and look forward to getting to know the congregation and the community in the weeks ahead.” 

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