Pastor Oviedo is an immigrant from Mexico. He values genuine devotion to God, compassion, respect for all people, and living in community. Church life includes being Roman Catholic until age 12, time in the Baptist tradition, and being an ELCA rostered minister since 2014. Alfredo’s family are Alejandrina (wife for 48 years), children (Amparo, Miriam, Freddy, and Ana Alexandra-RIP), seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He holds an undergraduate degree from Wayland Baptist University (Christian Education) and his graduate studies include: Gardner-Webb University (M.Div.), UNC-Asheville (MLA), Lutheran Year at LTSS, and United Lutheran Seminary (D. Min.). He has had a professional career in mental health, college religion instruction, and chaplaincy, as well as being a 17-year associate pastor at Grace, Hendersonville. His hobbies are reading, computers, and soccer. He is passionate about ethnic integration in local congregations and Christian ethics.