Gabriel became the pastor for Westside en Español in February of 2020. Prior to Westside, he’d lived in Puerto Rico for the past 15 years. He’s served as part of the church’s administrative committee and as a children’s pastor from 2014 to 2016. On August 1, 2014 he graduated as a Chaplain from Christian Fundamental Chaplains. He continued to serve as a prison Chaplain before being called on July 1, 2017 as an associate pastor at Bethel Baptist Church, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. That same month, he began as a church planting intern with North American Mission Board (NAMB). In 2018, he obtained his Associate’s Degree in Biblical Theology with a concentration in Discipleship from the Dominican Baptist Theological Seminary (STEBD), accredited by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS). On December 6, 2019, he graduated at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS), with a Certification in Church Planting from Spurgeon College.
Gabriel Ruiz was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. In 1992, he meets Jessica, a godly young woman and in 1994 by the grace of God, he gives his life to Christ. Jessica has served in various roles, as a children’s Sunday school teacher, an usher, a VBS assistant, and has been part of the church’s administrative committee while at Bethel Baptist Church in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Gabriel & Jessica have been happily married for 25 years and have 3 children. Angel, Yesenia and Gabriela who is married and lives in the state of Ohio.
Being the only hispanic Baptist congregation in Natchitoches, the goal is to reach the hispanic community of Natchitoches and beyond. Gabriel shares 1 John 1:3, as the vision for Westside en Español’s outreach, “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” NLT
Because You Matter to God,
You Matter to Westside en Español.
Gabriel Ruiz was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. In 1992, he meets Jessica, a godly young woman and in 1994 by the grace of God, he gives his life to Christ. Jessica has served in various roles, as a children’s Sunday school teacher, an usher, a VBS assistant, and has been part of the church’s administrative committee while at Bethel Baptist Church in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Gabriel & Jessica have been happily married for 25 years and have 3 children. Angel, Yesenia and Gabriela who is married and lives in the state of Ohio.
Being the only hispanic Baptist congregation in Natchitoches, the goal is to reach the hispanic community of Natchitoches and beyond. Gabriel shares 1 John 1:3, as the vision for Westside en Español’s outreach, “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” NLT
Because You Matter to God,
You Matter to Westside en Español.