Graduate Profile: Rob Freire, Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)

God pursued me across the planet. I was a recent college graduate living as an expatriate in South Korea, teaching English to middle school students. I was also in flight—fleeing from the God who called me to himself for rescue, forgiveness, and acceptance. For years I had rejected the gospel. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved me, even when I was dead in my trespasses, made me alive together with Christ. By grace I was saved.

Later that year I returned to the United States for graduate school. The plan was to complete an MA in Linguistics and go back to Asia. But God had other plans. Instead, upon my return to the States I would join Englewood Baptist Church, and there begin to learn what it means to serve Christ and his church. Within three years I would meet Delimar, and we would be married two years after that. Today we’re ten years in with three precious kids.

After graduate school, God would give me the opportunity to study at Reformed Baptist Seminary, where I would receive invaluable instruction from godly, experienced pastors and theologians. He would also use my experiences at RBS to help bring clarity and direction. That is, through the ministry of RBS, along with the ministry of my local church and her pastors, and the ongoing inward work of the Holy Spirit, God was confirming a call to pastoral ministry.

In early 2010 our family joined the core group that would soon form Maranatha Grace—Fort Lee, a church plant committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ. At Maranatha God surrounded us with brothers and sisters who would love, care for, and continue to equip us to live as followers of Christ. In May of 2011 I was called to serve this wonderful, young church as a pastor. 

Over the past four years our local church has experienced so much good from the hand of God. We’ve been privileged to see him at work rescuing people, transforming people, and bringing people into community—all by the power of the gospel. But I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. After all, he’s the God who reaches to the ends of the earth to rescue just one.

Rob Freire, Pastor
Marantha Grace, Fort Lee