{"id":46663,"date":"2026-06-24T17:30:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T17:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cst.edu\/?p=46663"},"modified":"2026-06-24T17:31:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T17:31:37","slug":"cst-and-cal-pac-annual-conference-launch-rev-m-guadalupe-lupita-alonso-redondo-scholarship-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cst.edu\/es\/news\/cst-and-cal-pac-annual-conference-launch-rev-m-guadalupe-lupita-alonso-redondo-scholarship-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"La Conferencia Anual de CST y Cal-Pac lanza la iniciativa de becas Rev. M. Guadalupe \u201cLupita\u201d Alonso-Redondo"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New partnership honors beloved pastor’s legacy by expanding access to theological education and cultivating future Latine\/Hispanic ministry leaders<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Claremont School of Theology (CST) and the California-Pacific Annual Conference (Cal-Pac) of The United Methodist Church are pleased to announce the establishment of the Rev. M. Guadalupe \u201cLupita\u201d Alonso-Redondo Scholarship Initiative<\/strong>. This groundbreaking partnership is designed to prepare, equip, and support the next generation of Latine\/Hispanic ministry leaders serving Southern California.

Honoring a Legacy of Resilience<\/strong>

The initiative celebrates the life and ministry of the Rev. M. Guadalupe Alonso-Redondo, affectionately known as \u201cLupita.\u201d A beloved United Methodist pastor, her courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to service left a lasting impact across the California-Pacific Conference.

Rev. Alonso-Redondo served Spanish-speaking and bilingual congregations from her commissioning in 2005 until her passing in 2023. Though she lived with significant physical disabilities and utilized a wheelchair, she was widely known for her extraordinary determination, pastoral leadership, and deep compassion. Her life stands as a powerful testament to faith, perseverance, and community.

\u201cLupita\u2019s ministry embodied the conviction that barriers need not define a person\u2019s calling,\u201d said CST Co-President Bishop Grant Hagiya. \u201cThis initiative honors her legacy by ensuring that future generations of leaders have access to the theological education, support, and formation necessary to serve vibrant and growing Latine\/Hispanic communities throughout Southern California.\u201d

Transforming Institutional Debt into Educational Opportunity<\/strong>

The scholarship initiative is made possible through an innovative recharacterization of an existing loan from Cal-Pac to CST. This partnership strengthens CST\u2019s financial position while simultaneously investing in future church leaders. Rather than remaining as a financial obligation on our balance sheet, these resources are being transformed into active ministry preparation and leadership formation.

Through this alignment, Cal-Pac and CST will work collaboratively to identify, recruit, and educate students called to ministry in Latine\/Hispanic cultural contexts. The initiative will provide tuition support for students pursuing degrees that fulfill educational requirements for ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church, including the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and the Master of Arts in Ministry, Leadership, and Service (MAMLS).

\u201cThis initiative represents a shared commitment to the future of the Church,\u201d said Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Resident Bishop of the California-Pacific Conference. \u201cOur Latine\/Hispanic congregations are rich with gifts, leadership potential, and a growing need for trained, ordained clergy. By investing directly in students, we are investing in the vitality of our churches and communities for generations to come.\u201d

Holistic Support and Radical Inclusivity<\/strong>

Beyond tuition assistance, scholarship recipients will benefit from a comprehensive network of support designed to nurture them throughout their educational journey:<\/p>\n\n\n\n