E.J. Ruiz lives and works in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. He is, currently, pastor at El Mesias United Methodist Church in Mission, Texas. He has served as youth pastor at the church prior to his appointment and also as a lay minister at El Buen Pastor in Edinburgh and also at a church in Kingsville, TX.
EJ is a military veteran having served in the United States Army at Fort Bliss, TX where he was a sapper platoon leader and battalion engineer officer. He has experience as a hometown recruiter at University of Texas — Rio Grande Valley. He has spent time counseling and advising soldiers and originally joined the military with a strong interest in chaplaincy.
EJ and his wife have two boys. He enjoys spending time with the family and working out. He is ordained in the United Methodist Church.
EJ serves as chaplain to Rio Grande Valley Toros FC a position he has held since 2023. He follows Chaplain Isidro Piña who mentored him in ministry for the church and also for the chaplaincy. He is the second chaplain to serve his hometown Toros.
Education
BA, Communications, University of Texas — Rio Grande Valley (2000)
MDiv, Southern Methodist University – Perkins School of Theology (
MA, Higher Education, University of Louisville
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