Pastor Samuel Ruiz has been a Christian since 1993 when the Lord opened his heart to His goodness for salvation. He was discipled at an early age in a small church in Ignacio Zaragoza Chihuahua, Mexico. At 18, he began traveling to the United States for work, eventually settling in Grand County, Colorado, where the Lord has allowed him, his wife, and their family to serve in ministry for the past 20 years.

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The Ruiz family has been involved in ministry for two decades, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, leading Bible studies, and ministering to people in the community. Initially, their heart was to minister to the Hispanic community in the area. As they became more rooted in the community, they recognized a need to teach the truth to the Hispanic families immigrating from other countries to Grand County. This led them to partner with Winter Park Christian Church in ministry, launching Spanish-language services for the Hispanic community. Over the years, through the guidance of the Lord and the mentoring, investment, and support of many brothers and sisters, Pastor Samuel has been entrusted with the blessing of pastoral leadership at WPCC, becoming Senior Pastor in 2020.

I’ve been involved in ministry since highschool (’89) learning to lead Bible studies and sharing Christ with others regularly. I was a Bible major and secondary education major and so worked in a Christian school in Minnesota after graduation, and then as a junior high discipler, and then a principal of a post secondary Bible School in CO from 2000-2007. From 2008 to 2024 I served in AWANA and discipled junior highers and highschoolers weekly, and served as an elder for over 14 of those years, as well as serving in the chairman role. I enjoyed studying with our pastors and other teaching leaders in our church and would fill in preaching as needed. I was praying for a change in my work to serve more in God’s Word regularly, and the Lord opened the door for that with a calling back to Colorado to WPCC, our home church from 2000-2007. I thoroughly enjoy having work in the ministry of the Gospel, and preparing the Word. My vision for the ministry is to personally magnify and exalt Christ, to personally know, follow and love Christ and use the truth of Christ in His word to serve the local body of Christ, looking for shepherding opportunities. Prayer coverage for the congregation and community is growing as I get to know the church here. Some areas of focus are to come alongside ministry leaders, provide support for events planning, oversee the facility, and preach and teach as needed. Things I enjoy personally are serving together in ministry with my wife, Kristen, meeting one on one with people, serving in cases of urgent need, and studying the word with others. Lately I’ve enjoyed skiing a few hours on a day off for some exercise, and in summer trying some different local hikes with Kristen.  Kristen and I have 5 children and soon three grandchildren!