About
My Story
Since 1996 I have been serving the Lord with all my heart. However, throughout the years I have experienced a series of ups and downs, but God has always been faithful.
In 1996, at a play called Heaven’s Gates, Hell’s Flames, I accepted our Lord Jesus into my heart. I later was baptized as an act of obedience, and learned that this was symbolic of leaving my old life behind and living in the new. The Lord completely changed my life. Soon later I moved to New York with my grandparents where I was encouraged to become involved in ministry. I attended college and received a Bachelor’s degree in economics in May/2003 and subsequently became part of a management team at a bank. Within this time, I married the love of my life and began a life with her, and with our two wonderful children (who were born later on in our marriage). It was during this time that I felt a tug in my heart and felt conflicted in my career. So instead of attempting for a Master’s degree in Business, I enrolled in seminary. Throughout this time, I found a mentor and began working for a non-profit organization that was linked to the church my mentor pastored. This is where I grew more as a leader by seeing how my mentor led his team and congregation. Within this time, I graduated seminary with my Masters in Divinity in December/2011. I later was offered a job in the Bronx to be the Pastor of Administration and remained with them from 2013 until 2016.
In 2015, I lost my father to prostate cancer which was extremely difficult for my family and I. Later, I became part of the New York Chaplain Task Force and was actively visiting people in the hospital until COVID-19 hit. In 2017, I found a position as a Campus Pastor within the church I am currently attending, however, I recently stepped down from all my responsibility to care for my mother who was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma. Through all these years I have experienced the pressures of life due to ministry, family, and expectations I have had for myself. Through it all God has been the one to sustain me, and I have seen His hand move throughout my life. I have seen many ministry leaders step down from their position due to burnout. Burnout is real, and has not only impacted many people around me, but has tried to overtake me. This is why my Doctorate Project is all about Burnout Prevention and Holistic Healing from Burnout. My desire is for ministry leaders to remain the course and to experience the joy of their calling. This can only happen if their Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, and Mental health are all healthy.
My Family
Valentin Family
Pastor Daniel and Rebeca have been married for more than seventeen years, and have two children; Galia, and Daniel Jr.