In the secular arena, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in
both Biology and Math from the University of Puerto Rico. I worked
as a teacher for the Puerto Rico School Board at the middle school
and high school level for 17 years. Nowadays, I work at Walt Disney
World in Orlando, FL. Ever since the Lord called me, I felt a calling
to study the word of God. Although I completed some independent studies,
I later enrolled in the Bible Institute of the Disciples of Christ
in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. I completed my graduate studies in
Bible and Theology. It was at the Institute that I had the privilege
to meet some of the most prominent theologians in Puerto Rico. I remembered
all of them with utmost respect and I thank them publicly for the
formation of my Christian walk. Some of these professors are: Florentino
López, Toñita Rivera, Lcda. Elizabeth Álvarez,
Juan Figueroa, Inés Figueroa, José González,
Rubis M. Camacho, Rafael Llanis, Harry W. Torres, Celestino Bula,
Reubén Negrón, Gladis Rivera de Coreano, Carlos Martínez,
and the late Efraín Cruz.
I would also like to recognize my pastors in Puerto Rico: Abed
Nego Hernández, Mario Rodríguez, Dr. Bardeguez, Luis
E. del Pilar, José Vázquez. Although I was not a member
where Bobby Cruz began in Puerto Rico, a group from Toa Alta would
visit him regularly. It was there where would receive his teachings
in the beginning and we would rejoice together. I can remember when
the Lord called me I was having a hard time quitting smoking, but
I felt from the Lord that one day he would set me free from that
bondage. I went to the church where Bobby was a pastor one day and
explained him what I was going through. At that moment, he laid
hands on me in prayer and the Lord set me free.
I do not want to fail to mention my gratefulness to my pastors
here in Orlando: Rev. Lucas Torres, Huberto Pimentel, José
Cintrón, Félix Ledee, Fredric Velez, Julián
Garriga, Maria Luisa Gómez, Ceferino Díaz, Gary Berrios
y Juan Alba.
For some years, I met with the Christian students of Nicolas Sevilla
Guemarez High School, where I was a Biology professor. In an adjacent
park, we had a small devotional and a circle of prayer at lunchtime.
Sometimes we did not have time to eat lunch and sometimes we were
rained down
In my town of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, there were no Christian bookstores.
Therefore, I established the Rolon Chevres Christian Bookstore.
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