A new fundraiser brings a mix of ministry and corporate expertise to Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, part of Fresno Pacific University.
Rory Angulo has been appointed seminary major gifts officer and began work March 17 at the seminary, on the main FPU campus in Fresno, California. He calls the seminary a perfect opportunity to apply his business skills in an environment that fits his ministry background.
“As a missionary and a pastor, I got great hands-on experience in how a church and a ministry run, and developed discipleship skills, as well as practical knowledge of how to adapt and grow to your congregation’s demands,” Angulo says. “My time in the corporate realm really sharpened my professional skills including budget allocations, negotiating tactics and how to navigate in the business world.”
The seminary major gift officer is a member of the advancement staff at the university and participates in the life of the seminary. Duties include developing a new base of supporting churches, businesses, alumni and other donors so the seminary will be able to offer additional financial aid for students.
Before accepting this position, Angulo and wife, Claire, a nurse, spent two and a half years with Arco Ministries in Ecuador. They served in medical brigades throughout the country providing free medical and spiritual care for impoverished communities.
Prior to that Angulo was director of missions and youth ministry for Living Streams Church in Phoenix, Arizona, where he headed up creating a home church, planting a young adults ministry, carrying out medical and social work home visits and taking a managerial role with refugee and homeless ministries. His significant sales and business experience comes from work as an inside sales representative for Avnet, Inc., an electronic components distributor.
Angulo has a bachelor of arts in psychology from UCLA and associate of arts in psychology from Moorpark College. He is also bilingual in English and Spanish and is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
“We are excited for Rory to join the seminary family and engage with us in kingdom work,” says Cynthia McGrady, seminary department chair and associate professor of marriage and family therapy. “His efforts will allow many new students to study and prepare for pastoral roles in our community.”
“Rory has a heart for Jesus and is incredibly enthusiastic about spreading the good news of the Gospel,” says Liz Garvin, university vice president for advancement and executive director of the FPU Foundation.
The seminary major gifts officer position is part of the Lilly Foundation Pathways for Tomorrow Phase 2 grant held by FPBS.
Fresno Pacific University is California’s Central Valley’s only accredited Christian university, connecting every student’s untapped potential with unlimited opportunity for professional, personal and ethical growth. Nonprofit and independent, FPU offers more than 100 areas of study to about 4,000 traditional undergraduate, adult degree completion, graduate and seminary students at the main campus in Southeast Fresno and throughout the Valley at regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online.
