La Posada Providencia recently approved the appointment of a new board member. Rev. Ryan Pederson is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Harlingen. He begins his service on the board this month.

“I have experienced firsthand how challenging the immigration process can be,” Rev. Pederson said. “I want to be able to help others for the sake of families.”

In the photo at right, Rev. Pederson is in the center, shaking hands with Board Chair Deborah Grayson. Other board members on hand to welcome Rev. Pederson were Ann Pairn, CDP (left), Lexye Paret Bengochea (right) and Everett J. Driskill (seated).

Rev. Pederson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin and a Masters in Divinity from the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest. He is a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. His wife, Lili, is a native of Mexico and a regular volunteer at La Posada Providencia.