Robert Lopez de Castilla
Abilene Christian University, Abilene
549 E. North 20th St. Abilene,TX
8
years of professional experience
A servant leader and educator with experience in student mentorship, cross-cultural engagement, and program management. Bilingual in Spanish and English with deep roots in the ACU community and a commitment to the spiritual formation of young adults.
Work History
University Minister
2 Years 11 Months- Spiritual Formation: Design and execute weekly bible classes, small group curriculums, and retreats to foster intentional spiritual formation among college-aged students.
- Mentorship: Recruit and mentor student leaders by providing 1 on 1 meetings for spiritual growth and ministerial training.
- Community Service: Engage students in weekly hospitality with community members and annual service retreats to build partnerships and address local needs.
Adjunct Professor
3 Years 9 Months- Hospitality: Welcome and integrate first-year students by creating a culture of safety, welcome, and belonging in the classroom.
- Instruct and Engage: Lead a classroom of 30+ students in a range of topics including research, ethics, social sciences, and the arts through a discussion based format.
Associate Chaplain
2 Years 5 Months- Program and Event Planning: Orchestrate tri-weekly large-scale gatherings for over 1,000 students, managing student staff and collaborating cross-departmentally.
- Crisis Response: Served on frontline care teams to support student spiritual & mental health while following emergency crisis response protocols.
- Curriculum Development: Co-authored and distributed weekly devotional guides for 50+ community groups consisting of 8-10 members.
Short Term Missions Trip Coordinator
11 Months- Travel Logistics: Planned and coordinated international flight itineraries and visas for multiple short-term mission trips.
- Team Development: Connected with team leaders to ensure alignment with ACU’s policies and program outcomes.
- Student Support: Advised students on fundraising tactics, document acquisition and uploads, and pre-departure preparation.
Employment Specialist
2 Years 6 Months- Bilingual Execution: Absorbed an unexpected surge of 200+ Cuban parolees by hosting weekly orientations and implementing systems for disbursement and case management services.
- Disbursed Federal Funds: Managed two federal grant programs for cash and health assistance to refugees and asylees while maintaining strict tracking metrics and casenotes.
- Hosted Orientations: Coordinated and delivered comprehensive cross-cultural orientations focusing on life skills, job readiness, and financial literacy.
Education
M.S. - Organizational Development
- Leadership & Global Competence: Completed advanced frameworks in Global Leadership: Leading in a Diverse Context (COMM 645) and Leading Organizational Change (COMM 631), specializing in adjusting leadership styles to complex intercultural environments.
- Workplace Management & Conflict Resolution: Mastered systems in Human Resource Management (MGMT 532), Managing Conflict in the Workplace (CONR 610), and Negotiation/Mediation (CONR 603/604).
M.A. - Global Service
- Intercultural Leadership & Global Mission: Advanced graduate training in Leadership in Intercultural Contexts (BMIS 650) , Christian Mission in Global Contexts (BIBH 674) , and Church and Mission (BMIS 619), specializing in navigating diverse communal environments and building ecumenical ties.
- Spiritual Formation & Contextual Teaching: Mastered actionable frameworks in Christian Spiritual Formation (BIBM 648) and Teaching Scripture in Contemporary Contexts (BIBL 682) to design intentional, holistic student development plans that promote spiritual formation and maturity.
B.A. - Vocational Missions, Minor in Spanish
- Cultural Alignment: Completed dedicated academic concentrations in Peninsular Spanish Culture (SPAN 342), Survey of Peninsular Spanish Literature (SPAN 360), and Advanced Communication (SPAN 301), establishing foundational knowledge of Spanish societal history, cultural mechanics, and linguistic nuances.
- Contextual Leadership: Trained in Ministry in Context (BIBM 391) and The Church (BIBT 379), focusing on the practical application of pastoral care and cross-cultural hospitality.
Skills
Creative Educator
Spiritual Formation Guide
Oral and Written Communication
Leadership & Management
Mentorship
Budget Stewardship
Crisis Management & Conflict Mediation
Intercultural Leadership
LANGUAGES
English Fluency
Spanish – B2
AWARDS
ACU Honor Man - Dec ‘17: Awarded by faculty for character, service, and academic excellence.
Timeline
University Minister
Highland Church of Christ, Abilene
07.2023 - CurrentRead More
Adjunct Professor
Abilene Christian University, Abilene
09.2022 - CurrentRead More
Associate Chaplain
Abilene Christian University, Abilene
01.2021 - 06.2023Read More
Short Term Missions Trip Coordinator
Halbert Center for Missions & Global Service, Abilene
01.2020 - 12.2020Read More
Employment Specialist
International Rescue Committee, Abilene
06.2018 - 12.2020Read More
Abilene Christian University
M.S. from Organizational Development
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Abilene Christian University
M.A. from Global Service
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Abilene Christian University
B.A. from Vocational Missions, Minor in Spanish
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