Manny Alaniz to Become Assistant Pastor

The Session is pleased to call Manny Alaniz to serve as an Assistant Pastor with oversite of Redeemer’s Westover Hills congregation. Pending final approval by the South Texas Presbytery, Manny should be ordained and installed by early September.

In 2005, Manny retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) after 27 years of dedicated service. During his career with DPS, Manny worked as a State Trooper, in the Criminal Law Enforcement Division and retired as a captain in the Narcotics Service.

Manny’s transition out of DPS was precipitated by his newfound faith in Jesus Christ and an irrepressible call to the ministry. It was his “call” that led Manny to retire early and enter the ministry. This decision led him to enroll at Baptist University of the Americas (BUA), where he was able to grow in his love for the scriptures and better understand his new faith. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies (BA), Manny completed a Masters of Arts in Religion (MAR) from Wayland Baptist University in 2012.

While studying at BUA, Manny met Redeemer pastor, Victor Martinez, who was, at that time, a professor at BUA. Victor, who was experiencing his own transition in ministry back to the pastorate, introduced Manny to Redeemer Presbyterian Church and Senior Pastor, Tom Gibbs. Through these relationships, Manny grew to love the God-centered and Gospel-driven focus of Redeemer and felt led to serve the Lord as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

Along the way, Manny became a ruling elder at RPC in the 2011. During his service, Manny continued to grow and mature in church ministry by witnessing other godly men lead in the church. This growth was also linked to the Session’s decision in 2012 to hire Manny as the director for a new site of Redeemer in the Westover Hills area of San Antonio. From the beginning, Manny and his wife, Sandy, have reached out to this community in Northwest San Antonio focusing on unchurched families, which are predominately Hispanic. After three years and by God’s amazing grace, the Westover Hills site  now has an average worship attendance of 50!  Manny is extremely humbled by this experience. It’s something that “I never dreamed” of doing, but “I feel incredibly blessed by the call to pastoral ministry.”

Manny and Sandy have three adult sons: Manny Luis, Gabe and Sevee, four grandsons and a granddaughter on the way. He is a saltwater fish hobbyist and enjoys barbecuing and spending time with his grandchildren.