Bethany Rivera Molinar, an ordained minister, community development leader and executive director of Ciudad Nueva Community Outreach in El Paso, Texas, will speak at University of the Ozarks on Tuesday, March 17, as part of the annual Farmer Lecture Series.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Rogers Conference Center. Molinar’s visit is made possible by the Cecil and Ruth Boddie Farmer Guest Speaker Endowment. There is no charge for admission and the public is invited to attend.
The title of Molinar’s talk will be, “What is God calling you to now in this moment in history?”
Said Molinar, “In a time when headlines can leave us feeling small and powerless, this lecture invites you to discern how God may be calling you to respond—right where you are. Drawing from Scripture and stories from the border, including the work of Ciudad Nueva, we’ll explore how God unfolds justice in the world through faithful communities in overlooked places—rural towns, border neighborhoods, and beyond.”
Molinar is a fronteriza Chicana living and working in El Paso, about a mile from the international border line of the United States and Mexico. She leads Ciudad Nueva Community Outreach, a holistic, asset-based, Christian community development nonprofit organization walking alongside their neighbors to develop youth, support families, equip leaders, and strengthen community in downtown-central El Paso.
Molinar is deeply passionate for Ciudad Nueva to be a place where community work unfolds and community members are actively engaged and accessing their gifts, skills, and resources to collectively lead towards a vibrant and thriving community. Along with her team and community, this passion has driven the work that she has done through Ciudad Nueva for over 10 years.
She also serves as chair for the board of the national Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) as well as other local boards.
Molinar earned both master’s of divinity and master’s of social work degrees from Baylor University.
In 2023, President Barack Obama selected her as one of 100 Leaders from across the United States for his inaugural Obama Leaders USA program.
She serves with prophetic strength and innovative leadership within local, regional, and national women of color faith circles. When not doing all of the above, Molinar enjoys spending time with her husband, Adrian, and their three children, running, urban gardening, and pursuing the crafty arts.
Molinar will also be speaking at the University weekly Chapel Service at 11:30 a.m. On March 17.
Topics: Community Events