Chaplain Felipe Olavarría

Union Omaha

SINCE 2023

Biography

Felipe was born in Santiago, Chile. He came to faith while playing on a traveling, semi-professional basketball team in Chile. As a young man he began his studies in the culinary arts, but the call of God on his life was strong. He felt a strong draw to ministry after a deathbed conversation with his abuelo and witnessing his conversion.

He is currently an Associate Pastor at a Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) church in Millard, Nebraska. He has previously served as a pastoral resident at One Hope Family in Omaha and also with Harvest Downtown in Colorado Springs, CO with former Switchbacks chaplain, Kurt Trempert. Previously, he was involved in youth ministry in his native Chile leading Bible studies and discipleship groups. He is ordained in the C&MA.

Felipe and his wife, Taya, have a daughter, Josefina. He enjoys rooting for Creighton University basketball, supporting the Chilean National Team in fútbol, and spending time with his family.

Felipe serves as volunteer chaplain to Union Omaha since the fall of 2023. He is the first chaplain to serve the team.

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Education

BA, Administration and Culinary Production, (2014-2016)

MDiv, Theological Studies, Crown College (2020-present)

Additional Certifications and Training

Fluent in Spanish and English

Prepare-Enrich Marital Counseling Certified Facilitator

EXPONENTIAL Church Planter’s Cohort