“I had the opportunity to study, which I never had before – my first diploma was from Certificado… It was an achievement for me and my children. ”
~ Sara Alvarado, Pastor & Certificado Graduate
Pastor Sara’s Certificado Journey
Pastor Sara Alvarado, a resident of Fresno, California, transformed her life in 2013 after embracing her faith in Jesus. In 2019, she began leading a women’s Bible study, and in 2020, she launched Reconquista—a ministry dedicated to restoring identities, marriages, children, and spiritual legacies.
In 2022, she completed the Certificado en Ministerio de Transformación Comunitaria, a program hosted by the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) at Fresno Pacific University. Through Certificado, she realized she lacked certain tools to meet the real needs of her community, like housing, employment, and access to resources. Certificado helped her not only identify those needs but also taught her how to respond with both faith and action.
“I never would have imagined that someone like me could have been… privileged that the Lord has taken me into account to be productive, to do something for [my] community and for [myself], I learned it myself.”
What is Certificado?
Certificado is a transformative program offered by CCT designed specifically for Spanish-speaking pastors and Christian leaders. It equips participants with practical tools to address the evolving needs of their communities. The curriculum encompasses biblical foundations, economic empowerment, civic engagement, and trauma-informed family ministry, all aimed at fostering holistic community transformation.
The program consists of five online modules, each containing five classes that are approximately one and a half to two hours long. Participants will each have a mentor throughout the program, who will help them with individual spiritual practices, disciplines, and sustainability, as well as how to apply what they have learned in the Certificate.
The Impact Certificado had on Sara’s Life
Sara is also a certified learning process coach and leads DanzArte USA, an international worship arts school. She partners with Fresno Pacific University, her local church, and women from multiple congregations to organize Reconquista a Tu Familia, an annual family-strengthening conference.
Grateful to God and her supporters, she continues to serve with purpose—empowering her community through faith, worship, and service.
Get involved with Certificado
If you know a Spanish-speaking pastor or ministry leader eager to make a tangible difference in their community, Certificado offers the training and support they seek. Granting them the opportunity to join a network of over 174 graduates (leaders) across 60 churches and 19 cities who have already been equipped through this program.
Discover how Certificado can empower Spanish-speaking pastors and Christian leaders to serve their communities more effectively. Click the button below to learn more about Certificado and join an interest list for the next program!!
