​Edinburg First United Methodist Church
Meet Our Staff
Rev. Sarah Solis, Pastor
Grace and peace to you! I was born and raised here in the
Rio Grande Valley, and it is such a profound blessing to
begin my journey as a pastor in a community I love so
much.
On a typical Sunday growing up, you could find me at
mass in a local Catholic church, but I was baptized and
took communion for the first time in a United Methodist
church. Before attending seminary, I was an English
Language Arts teacher in San Juan for nine years. I was
also deeply involved in a non-denominational church,
serving with middle school students, young adults, the
women’s ministry, and the worship team.
I went to seminary at Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC,
to seek God—to explore more deeply what it means to be
a Christian and how one might live as a Christian in their
community. God met me in my curiosity and wonder.
During my time in seminary, my call to ordained ministry
unfolded in United Methodist churches. I served as a
pastoral intern in two North Carolina Conference United
Methodist Churches, and I worked with children, youth,
worship teams, various outreach ministries, and Spanish
language ministry.
I have a huge heart for people’s stories. I want people to
feel seen, heard, and like they belong in their whole selves
in the spaces I lead. I feel a deep call to be a presence of
loving service with the communities I am a part of.
I love a cup of coffee. I have a cat named Julian. I am so
excited to become part of the Edinburg First family and get
to know each of you. I am praying for you all that we may
grow in love of God, love of one another, and love for our
community.
Omar Samaniego,
Music Director
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Omar Joined the staff of EFUMC in 2015. He is excited to develop the gift of music in individuals and to encourage others to use music as part of worship.
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Omar is the head choir director at McAllen Memorial High School. His students achieve superior ratings at competition and many have made the Texas All-State Choir. He and his wife Jennifer, also an educator, have been married 24 years. They have two sons, Joshua and Andrew, both of whom are active in music ministry.
Aliya Rodriguez,
Piano Accompanist
Aliya Rodriguez grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and began her piano education at the age of 7. She grew up playing and singing hymns with her grandmother. Aliya loves using music to worship and honor God. Aliya has been involved in church music since 2014. She received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2018. She works as a piano accompanist at McAllen Memorial High School. Aliya lives in McAllen with her husband Josue.
Vicky Gonzalez,
Nursery Staff
Vicky serves every Sunday in the nursery for infants and preschool aged children. she is a caring, soothing, attentive, creative, and engaging. We are beyond blessed to have such wonderful staff member to care for our little ones.
Joe Carrera,
Sound Engineer
Joey Preciado,
Facilities Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Media Staff
Rebecca (Bex)
De La Garza,
Media
Juan Zermeno,
Livestream
Edgar Lerma,
Media
Sean Scott,
Livestream
Natalie Ocanas,
Office
Daniel Reyna,
Livestream
Deborah 'Debbie' Ontiveros,
Office
The “Media” team are responsible with various tasks to
ensure the Sunday services go as planned. They help
prepare and move the slides during the service for those
who read along, set up and oversee the Facebook stream
for those who can’t join us in person, make sure the
sound is loud and clear for the people to hear the
message, help close the church after the service and
most important above all, they help the fellowship team
set up the coffee at the front of the Worship Space.
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Our “Office” team is charged with assisting in making
everyone’s lives run smoothly and as efficiently as possible.
The office staff will help by checking emails, receiving calls,
designing flyers/banners for our various church events,
creating/editing the monthly newsletter (including this one), ordering things that are needed, assisting those who come to the admin office with whatever they need, helping other staff with whatever they can, and most important above all, they provide hospitality for anyone that stops by the Admin Office building.
