Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvaterria

The Joshua Project - Formation of Young Pastors for Muti-Racial/Ethnic/Cultural Collaboration

2023: This is a planning grant for a project that engages the leadership of Fuller Theological Seminary’s Center for Asian American Theology & Ministry (AAC), Centro Latino (CL), and Pannell Center for Black Church Studies (PC). Each are engaged in research projects with 18-25 year old Christian leaders in their respective communities/demographics. Building on this research, the team will engage local pastors of color under the age of 45 to determine how they can break down the silos between their churches in order to facilitate multi-racial/ethnic/cultural collaboration for the benefit of the city. They will carry out individual interviews and focus groups.

The project seeks to understand (1) the changing needs and assets of the Asian, Hispanic and African American communities in the greater Los Angeles area (2) the current response of ethnic congregations to their context (3) the barriers that stand in the way of collaborative community ministry between primarily Asian, Hispanic and Black clergy and congregations, (4) the potential for identifying common community concerns and for supporting each other’s concerns, and (5) how Fuller’s ethnic centers could support these leaders and their churches in collaborating in community ministry.

2023-24: The Joshua Project at Fuller is a project aimed at the formation of young pastors for muti-racial/ethnic/cultural collaboration. Building on existing networks and research, Fuller will recruit five young pastors from congregations of color to be part of a research project to better understand the barriers, opportunities and resources for effective multiracial/ethnic/cultural collaboration for the sake of the city. This builds on the planning work described above.

Equipping Latinx Churches for Urban Ministry

2024: Over the past five years, Centro Latino has built on their 50 year history of Spanish theological education to reach and equip bilingual Millennial and GenZ Latinx leaders and to develop the capacity of lay leaders and community pastors to respond to the needs of their communities. Through the “Equipping Latinx Churches for Urban Ministry” project, they will continue and expand their engagement with and support of emerging Latinx leaders through both online and in-person activities. They will also be able to continue and expand professional certificates (currently threatened by potential budget cuts) and to institute an in-person option in all of their certificate programs.

Comunidades Sanadoras: Colaboración Intergeneracional en la Misión

2026: Latino pastors in urban communities serve congregations deeply affected by poverty, discrimination, and immigration-related trauma. Yet Latino/a culture is anchored in familismo, the extended family networks that create spiritual and psychological resilience. Many Latino churches function as “family ministries,” led by extended families who welcome others into that circle of support. This cultural strength has fueled the steady growth of the Latino church in the U.S. Today, these support systems are under severe strain. Recent judicial and policy shifts have intensified fear among both documented and undocumented Latinos, prompting major changes in daily routines and public presence (Sanchez & Pedroza, 2025). Congregations are experiencing sharp declines in attendance as mass deportation policies disrupt faith communities (Christianity Today, 2025). To strengthen their families and equip them to support others, they need spiritual, theological, and practical tools that go beyond online resources.

Centro Latino has created digital materials on trauma-informed care, pastoral well-being, migrant ministry, and intergenerational conflict, but our network of pastors is asking for more. Comunidades Sanadoras will provide an in-person formation cohort for 20 Southern California Latino pastors and their families. Through instruction, mentoring, peer learning, and mini-grants for family-strengthening activities, this laboratory will help rebuild resilient extended family systems and deepen Centro Latino’s relationship with the local Latino/a church community. Grounded in familismo, this initiative will nurture spiritual, emotional, and relational well-being in the midst of ongoing crisis.