Rev. Gerardo García Palacios

Biography

Rev. Dr. Gerardo García Palacios was born in Mexico City and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1996. Raised in the Presbyterian tradition, he developed a deep commitment to faith, leadership, service, and community through his involvement with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and, later, with Latino Unidos en Cristo Presbyterian Church in San Mateo, California.

For more than twenty-five years, he has served the church in a variety of leadership roles, including youth leader, Christian educator, worship leader, deacon, ruling elder, commissioned pastor, and ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). His ministry experience includes congregational leadership, theological education, chaplaincy, and community-based ministry with immigrant and underserved populations.

Gerardo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Biblical Studies from the Latin American Faculty of Theological Studies (FLET), a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Berkeley School of Theology. He is also a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) and completed both a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency and Fellowship at Stanford Health Care, where he provided spiritual care to patients, families, and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to his congregational ministry, Rev. Gerardo serves as a healthcare chaplain and has provided spiritual and emotional support to immigrant students through his work with Upward Scholars in San Mateo County. His doctoral research focused on the role of spiritual care in supporting Latinx immigrant college students as they navigate the challenges of higher education, identity, and belonging.

Gerardo is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and is passionate about helping people of all ages grow in faith, discover their God-given gifts, and experience the love and grace of Christ in everyday life. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife, Rev. Dr. Ana García Espinoza, and their son, David Mateo.