Ruben and his wife Gayla, are both Las Cruces natives who have a heart for their city. They came to know Christ as their personal savior when they were sophomores at Las Cruces High School and have been following Him ever since.

Ruben attended Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas, CA; and studied Missiology and Ethnic Works at Golden Gate Seminary, in San Francisco, CA and at Howard Payne University, in El Paso, TX.

After gaining life and ministry experiences in California, Texas, and New Mexico, God called Ruben and Gayla to plant Sierra Vista Community Church as a “small group” church in 1997 with the help of their three children.

Ruben considers himself to be an avid archer, amateur bowyer, and fly fisherman. He enjoys spending time with his adult children, Matthew, Nathan, and Tara, along with his grandkids, Milana and Isaac. Oh, and let’s not forget the great granddaughters, Thea and Athena. He hopes to one day revert to his teen years and buy himself another motorcycle.

Ruben and Gayla’s vision for Sierra Vista Community church is that it continues to be a family where everyone is known and loved; a church that actively loves its community and a church that is engaged in reaching the world for Christ.