Raquel is an ordained elder in the Río Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church and has served as a pastor, associate pastor, and chaplain. She is currently Associate Pastor and Minister of Discipleship at La Trinidad United Methodist Church, a historic Hispanic congregation in San Antonio. Raquel’s academic interests include Biblical spirituality with a focus on women in the New Testament, the medieval mystic Julian of Norwich, Latino/a spiritualities, Wesleyan spirituality, and women and the priesthood. Raquel anticipates completing comprehensive exams during the 2018-2019 academic year and preparing a dissertation topic on feminine space, embodiment, and the priesthood. After graduation, Raquel would like to like to teach at a school of theology and continue contributing to her denomination in the areas of spiritual renewal and discipleship.