Today we’d like to introduce you to Rev. Dr. Jessica Lugo-Meléndez.
Hi Rev. Dr. Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Rev. Dr. Jessica Lugo Meléndez was born in San Juan, PR, and grew up in Deltona, Florida. She’s married to Joel Díaz and has two children: Joel Antonio and Joel Manuel. 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 Christian History, New Testament, and Evangelism at the graduate level, and is an adjunct faculty member at several Bible Institutes, in addition to teaching undergraduate Business Administration courses at other universities in the country. Educational work is her passion, particularly within the younger generation of emerging leaders.
With over 20 combined years of ministerial and secular experience, Dr. Lugo has written for various theological, ecclesiastical, and administrative publications. She holds a Doctor of Ministry with a specialization in Biblical Teaching and Preaching from Liberty University. She also has 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 title and calling is to serve.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
First challenge: Many people say, “Wow, it’s your memory!” Not at all, I’m a recovered dyslexic, and since third grade, I learned the importance of writing things down, associating ideas, and finding creative ways to retain information in order to learn. This made me a lifelong learner! Dyslexia turned me into a “tireless worker.”
Second challenge:
In recent years, for various reasons, I’ve had to be “away from my homeland” for extended periods of time. These experiences have helped me grow, learn, unlearn, and discover more about how to live and coexist with others. It has pulled me out of insular thinking and placed me in the plurality of diversity, navigating lands and seas to bless and be blessed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a strategic planner, educator, and minister, I am dedicated to creating meaningful frameworks for growth, learning, and community building. Known for my ability to blend strategic vision with practical implementation, I focus on empowering individuals and organizations to fulfill their potential. My work emphasizes fostering resilience, inclusivity, and lifelong learning, drawing from my own personal experiences of overcoming challenges. What sets me apart is my relentless pursuit of creative solutions and my commitment to holistic development. I take pride in nurturing diverse communities and guiding them toward impactful and sustainable outcomes.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Embracing risk as a leap of faith is essential for progress. My most recent step was transitioning from corporate America to the nonprofit sector. The emphasis shouldn’t be on the risk itself, but on the learning and growth that come from it.
Contact Info:
- Website: aeth.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aeth_org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/662799037578468
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somosaeth/
