Manuel Ojeda was born in Matanzas, Cuba in 1976.   The Ojeda family emigrated from Cuba to Costa Rica, then finally to the United States.   Manny’s walk with Jesus and burden for ministry began around 1990 while in Kissimmee, Florida, when he was befriended by a young man, Melvin Liwag, who introduced him to Pathfinder ministry. 

In the Pathfinder program, Manny found a passion that burned within his heart until he figured out later on that it was God calling him to ministry.   Manny’s passion for ministry grew during high school while he worked at Arby’s in the afternoons, and was gone working for Pathfinders on most weekends.   He recalls when church members would invite him back to church because they thought that he had left God. What they did not know was the fact that he was learning the true meaning of  a “church” by spending time with young people, sharing how Jesus’ love is a personal reality. 

In 1998 during his last State Pathfinder Camporee, Manny met a young club director by the name of Claribel Fernandez who was from Miami, Florida.   Four months later at Southern Adventist University, Manny and Clari met again and began a friendship that would become a deeper love which would finally lead to marriage.   They both graduated in May 2001, Manny with a B.A. in Theology, and Clari with a B.A. in Religious Education.   Right before graduation Manny received a call from the Indiana Conference to pastor the Terre Haute, Lewis, and Greencastle church district.  Manny and Clari were married on March 10, 2002.

In 2003 Manny was given the opportunity to study at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Andrews University to obtain his master’s degree.   That summer they moved to Michigan.  Clari decided to go back to school as well to pursue her dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian.  Apart from the cold winters in Berrien Springs, they both treasure the time they spent at Andrews, reuniting with old friends, and forming new friendships with ministry partners that will last a lifetime. While at the seminary, Manny and Clari helped out in youth ministry with the LaPorte, Indiana Church.   They really enjoyed their time there working together with Pr. Wayne & Michelle Morrison.   Manny and Clari completed their studies at Andrews in 2006, then moved back to Indiana to serve the congregations of Columbus, North Vernon, and Seymour. They feel blessed to be part of three wonderful church families for the past two years.

Clari finished her Dietetic Internship at IUPUI in 2007 and is currently working for the WIC program in Indianapolis. She gives praise to God for allowing her to have been raised by such godly, loving parents who taught her what it means to surrender your life completely to the Lord.   Clari loves to challenge young people to submit all their future plans to God because as she has seen in her life, it truly becomes an exciting adventure!   Nothing is more rewarding and fulfilling than to see God take full control.

One of Manny’s passions in ministry is working with the youth. Throughout his own youth he was mentored in such a way that he felt he had to reproduce the same experience for other young people.   As Manny has looked back on his life the words that God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah connect deeply in his heart: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”. Manny has been awed as he has looked back and seen where God has stepped in and molded his life.   For Manny, there were some very crucial events that stood out to show God’s hand leading him where he is now.   First, his parent’s decision to leave Cuba.   Second, his parent’s decision to provide a loving, Christian home.   Third, mentors that have taken Manny under their wings and patiently guided him to God.  And finally, a loving, supportive wife, who also shares the call to ministry with him.   

God is so good and He has a powerful plan for all of us.