Dr. Leonel Bernal
Dean, School of Theology

• Pastor with 37 years of experience of increasing responsibility in congregational leadership. Committed to shepherding individuals to Christ, engaging the community in missionary work and community outreach. Expertise in spiritual counseling, education, and mentorship. Proven success in advancing church goals and increasing community engagement in congregation. 

• Professor adept in creative teaching strategies that fully engage students in the learning process. Deeply invested in achieving tenure through administrative service committee contributions and an accomplishment-oriented approach to teaching. 

Core Qualifications 

• Congregational Leadership 

• Operations Management 

• Community Outreach and engagement • Program Development and Management • Spiritual Counseling 

• Financial Management 

• Interactive teaching/learning  

• School liturgies 

• Service on faculty committees 

• Learning strategies 

• Management of material resources 

 • Lectures 

• Student mentoring 

• Conference participation 

• Curriculum development 

• Pastoral recommendation 

• Differentiated instruction  

• Instructional best practice

Education 

Doctorate in Ministry May 2010 El Shaday Christian University, Raleigh, NC 

Master’s in education May 1992 Universidad Modular Abierta. El Salvador  

Master of Divinity July 1990 Church of God School of Theology. Cleveland, TN 

Chistian Education Teacher Diploma November 1983 Instituto Biblico de la Iglesia de Dios para Centro America. El Salvador 

Church Experience 

SENIOR PASTOR 

August 2003 – Present 

IGLESIA DE DIOS NUEVA VIDA/ NEW LIFE CHURCH OF GOD 

MONROE, NC 

May 1982 – August 2003 

IGLESIA DE DIOS EN EL SALVADOR 

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR 

• Guided Church in discovery and fulfillment of its calling and mission, including casting God’s vision, encouraging spiritual development, leading congregation, and expanding congregation’s participation in mission activities. 

• Planned and delivered weekly sermons, prepared long-term preaching plans, and oversaw Sunday school. 

• Strengthened and oversaw faith life by creating inviting community of faith, empowering leadership, coordinating and supervising weekly staff meetings, and leading weekly gatherings such as Bible study. 

• Collaborated with Finance and Stewardship Ministry Group to manage Church’s finances and devise strategies to grow stewardship. 

• Provided pastoral care, including hospital, shut-in, bereavement, and funeral visitation, guided and counseled congregation. 

• Devise and implement church vision and execute strategies to achieve short-range and long-range spiritual and organizational goals and objectives. 

• Spearhead outreach and pastoral efforts such as biblical counseling, wedding, and funeral services. 

• Plan worship services and events and equip staff and lay leaders to coordinate services and events; oversee staff and ensure they have resources to fulfill duties and responsibilities. • Support, supervise, and manage congregation staff; work with HR to screen and hire non ordained staff and call ordained staff. 

• Work with the Outreach Committee to implement ministries reaching out to unchurched, inactive, and new residents of the community, direct assimilation of new members into congregation.