El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church

Rev. Robert A. Perales, a native of the Rio Grande Valley and a product of the former Rio

Grande Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, was ordained as an elder in the Rio

Texas Annual Conference in June of 2017. While attending Perkins School of Theology, Robert

served as Discipleship Coordinator of the Wesley Foundation campus ministry at Southern

Methodist University and as Youth Director at Axe Memorial UMC in Garland, TX before

graduating with his M.Div. in December of 2013.

In January of 2014, Robert received his first full time-appointment in pastoral ministry serving as

Associate Pastor of First UMC in McAllen, TX, during which time he led their contemporary

worship service and assisted in overseeing the completion of their six-million dollar sanctuary

and church office space. In June of 2020, Robert was appointed as the solo pastor of First UMC

in Kingsville, TX, leading through the difficult season of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of late

June 2023, he serves as the Senior Pastor of El Buen Pastor UMC in Edinburg, TX.

In August of 2009, Robert was blessed to marry his high school sweetheart, Tanya Rae, who has

enjoyed serving in her own areas of local church ministry including small group ministries,

children’s ministry, and hospitality ministry.

Robert and Tanya Rae proudly co-parent four children, Sebastian 18, ZayDee, 12, Severo, 6,

and Sevena, 4, alongside their mother, Daisy. While it is certainly a unique family, there is no

other family they would rather have.