Reverend Juan Carlos Turcios is the pastor of Avent Ferry United Methodist Church, in Raleigh, North Carolina of the North Carolina Conference. Pastor Juan, originally from Long Island, New York, is the son of immigrant parents from El Salvador, the youngest of seven siblings, and the only one to have been born in the United States. Pastor Juan has earned his Bachelor of Science in Religion from Liberty University and his Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School.
Pastor Juan has previously served as an Associate Pastor Intern at City Roads UMC in Henderson, Associate Pastor Intern at White Plains UMC Latino Ministry in Cary, and as a Hospital Chaplain at Duke University Medical Center. Pastor Juan is deeply committed and passionate about by utilizing his privilege and life experience as a first generation Salvadoran-American, to uplift and empower the Latinx community. Pastor Juan also continues to serve as the Latinx Ministry Liaison at First United Methodist Church in Cary, North Carolina.
Pastor Juan is married to Susana Figueroa, who is originally from the Bay Area, California. Susana is a Certified Candidate with the North Carolina Conference and is currently in the process of completing a dual master’s degree at Duke Divinity School and Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. Pastor Juan and Susana live in Durham with Luna, their very large Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy.
Interesting facts: Pastor Juan served on Active Duty in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper for five years, prior to his call to ministry and attending Duke Divinity School. On days off Pastor Juan enjoys spending time with his wife, going on walks/runs with Luna, playing basketball, strength training, cheering on Duke Men’s Basketball, and watching movies. Pastor Juan is also a huge fan of the Hunger Games series and is currently reading the latest book, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Wonderful Bio! So thankful to have you with us, Pastor Juan , Susana and Luna. Luna reflects the great Spirit of the owners.