Our Pastor – Rev. Vangie Chavez

I am a native New Mexican who loves this great “Land of Enchantment.”  For the past 30+ years I have had a passion and a calling to minister to, and on behalf of, God’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.  At Rising Sun Christian Community, I get to do just that!

I am thrilled to be serving in this awesome,loving, and passionate community of believers. Together, we strive to let the light of Christ shine in and through us, and take that out to our community.

Of course, I could not do this work without the support and partnership of my beautiful and amazing wife, Traci Chavez, who knows all too well the challenges of being a “Pastor’s Wife.”

I remain grateful to God for this wonderful place of worship and invite you to give us a try!

Board of Directors

 Amelia Juarez-Member-at-Large

I took early retirement in 2016 and during the 20 years at my job I worked every Sunday. I had attended different churches in my past but never had the feeling that I truly belonged anywhere. I have a beautiful wife, a loving family, I had a good job, a roof over my head……but something was missing!

We had been invited a number of times by Pastor Vangie and her wife Traci to attend Rising Sun Christian Community (RSCC), but we worked on Sundays. When my wife retired in 2015 she started attending church services. I would get home from work and she was so excited to tell me about the message Pastor Vangie delivered and all the wonderful people she met. I was excited just listening to her share her Sunday with me. God was working through her for both of us! We found what had been missing in our lives.

So needless to say, after I retired in 2016, we are both attending and worshipping together. I am a member of the Board of Directors and am proud of our church family. We welcome everyone who walks through our door and we pray that they too have found what has been missing in their lives.

Theresa Parlante-Member-at-Large

I am a lifelong resident of Albuquerque and have always attended church since childhood. It provided a solid foundation for me but I always knew there was more. 

 When I was around 30, I attended an Easter service at a local church.  I was so moved by the message of redemption that I committed my life to Christ that day!  I was on fire for the Lord and quickly immersed myself into bible study and prayer. I  began teaching Sunday School and leading a children’s puppet ministry. 

 As my children grew, I decided to move out of children’s ministry.  I attended a couple of churches after that but never had that sense of family or had the accountability that I had previously. That is until we began attending RSCC after being invited by Pastor Vangie.

 My wife Laura and I immediately felt at home.  We knew we were part of a spirit filled church that embraced and ministered to ALL of God’s people.  I am honored to be on the Board of Directors and service this beautiful church.  Come share in God’s blessings with us.

 Vicki White-Member-at-Large

My name is Vicki White, and I am a Native Alaskan but raised in New Mexico.  I have attended church my entire life. I taught Sunday school for 3 years when my children were small. I am a semi-retired research technologist, and decided to follow my childhood friend, Pastor Vangie to Rising Sun Christian Community where I found what I was truly looking for in a church.  Non-judgmental, inclusive and downright love for all. Now I have the privilege and honor to serve on the Board of Directors of my wonderful church!

 Adam Agosto-Member-at-Large/Board of Elders

I was raised in New York and spent my summers with my Grandfather in Puerto Rico. I was truly
blessed to have a close family, the youngest of eight children. I went to college in Puerto
Rico and lived there till I was 28 years old. Moved to Texas and continued my studies and
embarked on the journey of finding out who I truly was.

I even studied Theology, it was through my studies that I learned to trust in God and not man.

When I met my husband he started going with me to church. We dated and had dreams of
having a family so we fostered and decided to get married but it was not yet legal in Texas. A
friend told us about a pastor in Albuquerque, New Mexico who did same sex weddings and that
is how we met Pastor Vangie and her wife Tracy. We kept in touch via social media and when
we moved to New Mexico we became members of RSCC.
John 1:14, Ephesians 1:7

 Paula Gonzales-Board of Elders

I’ve had a love for God and His son Jesus Christ since I was a little girl. I spent many years being religious and “playing church.” When I was 31 years old, I was a single mom raising three sons and I finally decided to make Jesus the Lord of my life. It’s been a wonderful journey ever since. I love Rising Sun Christian Community (RSCC) because just like Jesus, we welcome everyone just as they are without judgement. May God continue to bless RSCC. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 NIV