Rev. Daniel Beteta Sr.
"Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go"
Joshua 1:9
This
was the promise impressed upon Daniel Beteta by his father
since his childhood and is the promise he has clung to throughout
the long years of preparation for ministry.
ONE
OF ELEVEN CHILDREN
Daniel was the tenth of eleven children in a very poor family
but united by the Spirit of God. Family was always active
in the Presbyterian Church of Guatemala. Although poor,
his parents managed to give their children good education,
so that today they are doctors, accountants, teachers, nurses
and pastors.
DANIEL'S
CALL TO MINISTRY
Daniel received Jesus as his personal Savior at age seven.
He reaffirmed his faith at 13, at 18 he moved to Guatemala
City, where he became active in the Ephesus Presbyterian
Church as a youth leader, sunday school teacher, deacon
and an elder. Daniel pursued a career in economics and engineering
with a high-level position in the Guatemalan government,
but in 1982 he received a call from God to the ministry.
ON
TO THE U.S.
The Beteta family came to the United States in 1987. Daniel
enrolled at Fuller Seminary while struggling to support
his family with a full-time custodial position at Pasadena
Church. Trying to learn English at the same time increased
the pressure and stress, but the promise of Joshua 1:9 encouraged
Daniel and inspired him to never give up.
SEMINARY
YEARS
During his Seminary years he was an active Director of Christian
Education and Pastoral Care at the Presbyterian Church "Fuente
de Vida" in Hollywood California. In 1991 he accepted
the position of a Director of "Comunidad Cristiana"
at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church. He became the Pastor
of the church as he finished his studies at Fuller Theological
Seminary, graduating with Masters of Divinity and Multicultural
Studies.
THE
BETETA FAMILY
Rev. Daniel Beteta is helped in the Ministry by his lovely
wife of 32 years; Ruth. They have been blessed with four
grown children: Rev. Daniel Oswaldo Jr., Pastor of a Presbyterian
Church in Southern California, married to Maria and their
children, Shantel, Amber, Cassi and Daniel Oswaldo III.
Juan Alberto, US Marine, married to Maribel and their children,
Anthony, Jenny and Jonathan, has the talent to work with
puppets and teaches children with this very special gift.
Ronald Josue, married to Marilu, he's an outstanding musician
and worship director, graduated from Northridge University
with a degree in Business Administration and Economics and
has enrolled to follow in his dad's footsteps to become
a Pastor. Ana Ruth, their only daughter, married to Oswaldo
Montenegro, works with children with down-syndrome in Los
Angeles district and has a Masters in Psychology from the
Northridge University.
The
Beteta family has promised to serve the Lord and praise
Him in their lives.
