Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Roldan has served as the Senior Pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Waco since September 2016. He was born and raised along the US-Mexico border in McAllen, TX where he followed Christ in baptism at the age of nine. He sensed a call to ministry at age thirteen and began to preach, teach, and participate in worship leadership during this time. He has served in diverse ministry contexts such as campus ministry, university and hospital chaplaincy, and worship ministry in San Antonio, TX, Washington, D.C., and Waco, TX. He earned a B.A. in Communication from The University of Texas at San Antonio and holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Baylor University’s Truett Seminary. As a licensed and ordained Baptist minister, he is passionate about gospel proclamation and spiritual formation within the local church. He is also a Certified Spiritual Director and delights in offering the ministry of spiritual companioning to his congregants and any who are seeking God’s guidance.
Emmanuel appreciates a strong cup of coffee, competing in numerous sports (he is very competitive), and playing the guitar. He also enjoys reading, running, and spending unhurried time with his family and friends. He is married to his wife, Evie, and together they have one beautiful daughter.