Graduate Profile: Ted Mendoza

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” Psalm 63:1.

I memorized this verse when I was a teenager. It was strange to me. It was too intimate. I remember giving my life to Jesus when I was five or six, but like all little ones, I didn’t understand and am still learning, what that meant. At the time, honor, duty, and respect were almost exclusively how I approached God. I didn’t understand what it meant to love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, and strength and find my joy in him.

God has since then shown me over and over why he is truly worthy of that affection. As I was ministered to by faithful men and volunteered in ministry I grew to understand the Psalm more. In Jr. College, I was allowed to serve in our youth ministry. When I attended San Jose State University for a degree in design, I simultaneously served with Campus Crusade for Christ. Perhaps more importantly, it was there where I met my wonderful Wife who has encouraged me in ministry for the last 20 years.

My need and appreciation for my King grew after I graduated. I married Debbie, and God moved me to full-time ministry. I was invited to serve as a youth minister in Exeter California while I pursued other goals but quickly fell in love with teaching and discipling youth. I also recognized my deep lack of knowledge and began to read men like Piper, Sproul, Carson, Ryle, Dever, and Grudem. It wasn’t formal, but I greatly appreciated all that I received from these men. I learned about God’s holiness, and the concepts of Christian hedonism and their roots in Jonathan Edward's Religious Affections. For fifteen years I read, learned from others, and served in various ministry capacities. I also had five wonderful children during this time and learned heartache as my wife Debbie and I discovered our oldest would have Down’s syndrome. All the while, Jesus grew sweeter as he cared for and directed my family.

When we moved to Pleasanton in the East Bay Area of California to replant a dying church alongside its Sr. Pastor, I knew that position would likely transition into a lead preaching role. I recognized I and the church that I would minister to would greatly benefit from my receiving a more formal education. I am grateful I found RBS. I greatly appreciated that they shared so many of my reformed theological convictions and that I could learn in a structure that allowed me to continue in my ministry. During my time at RBS I have gained a greater appreciation for Reformed Baptist convictions and more importantly, a richer understanding and love for the God who stands behind those convictions. During my time attending RBS, I transitioned to the lead Pastor position. I have discovered that not only was theological knowledge a blessing but the practical wisdom of what it means to pastor a church that I learned was invaluable. There have been many instances over the last two years that I have implemented what I have learned about leading, structures, preaching, and discipling those God has given me to shepherd.

All throughout, I have discovered more and more why David cried out to God in such an intimate way, recognizing why he alone could satisfy his soul. This scripture is now one of my favorites as I have had the privilege of sharing the joy of the Lord through preaching, teaching, and sharing the gospel in the Bay Area.

Ted Mendoza