Jessica Lugo

Educator, pastor and administrator.

Rev. Dr. Jessica Lugo Meléndez was born in San Juan, PR and grew up in Deltona, Florida. She is an Ordained Minister of the American Baptist Churches and part of the pastoral body of the Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico. She is a professor of History of Christianity, New Testament and Evangelism at the graduate level, she is also part of the adjunct faculty of several Bible Institutes, in addition to teaching Business Administration courses at the undergraduate level in other universities in the country. Education is her passion, particularly among the younger generation of emerging leaders.

With over 20 years of combined ministerial and secular experience, Dr. Lugo has written for various theological, ecclesiastical and administrative references. She holds a Doctorate in Ministry with a specialization in Biblical Teaching and Preaching from Liberty University. She also holds an MDiv from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, a second Master`s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Ana G. Méndez University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the same university. Of all these mentions, Dr. Lugo insists that her most important degree and calling is to serve.

In 2024, Dr. Lugo became the ninth Executive Director of the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), overseeing its more than five programs, including the Justo and Catherine Gonzalez Resource Center. Under her leadership, AETH has expanded its efforts to support and strengthen theological education for Hispanics.

What excites you about your role at AETH?

For her, every life dynamic is a learning opportunity. Being able to create spaces for education to happen and knowledge to be reproduced for the transformation of lives makes her heart throb. The possibility of impacting our Hispanic congregations through theological education of excellence encourages her every morning to continue. To lead alongside such capable men and women is a privilege.

In his spare time...

Enjoying sports with the family, they are fans by choice.

Your favorite book...

Any biographical or historical book catches her attention.

A person who inspires you...

Jesus, her model, is her aspiration to follow.

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