Rev. VJ Cruz-Báez

VJ is a passionate local pastor who believes that our Creator is made manifest when individuals are affirmed in ways that allow them to fully express themselves. VJ enjoys to intentionally bringing together diverse groups of people to tackle common goals from various, unique perspectives - as no single approach is the right one for everyone or one-size-fits all. VJ is originally from Puerto Rico, where they completed a Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Puerto Rico. They moved to Claremont, California in order to pursue a Master’s in Arts in Theology at Claremont School of Theology. In 2013, and after serving for 6 years in the first Shalom Zone in the United States, which was located in Pico Union, Los Angeles, California, VJ was appointed as a part time Local Pastor to La Plaza UMC in downtown Los Angeles where they are serving to the present.