Eduardo Carrillo is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church with more than 15 years of pastoral experience in urban, rural, and mountain communities. Originally from Mexico and now serving in Virginia, Eduardo brings a bicultural, bilingual perspective to ministry and is passionate about building bridges across cultural, theological, and social divides.
He holds a B.A. in Mission and Ministry with a minor in Spanish Literature from Ferrum College and a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary. His preaching blends heart, honesty, and a little bit of humor, always grounded in Scripture and aimed at helping people encounter God in real, transformative ways.
At the core of Eduardo’s ministry is a desire to close the gap between ethos and praxis, so that the Word of God is not only preached but fully embodied and lived out in community. Inspired by John Wesley’s conviction that “there is no holiness but social holiness,” Eduardo believes faith must be lived out through justice, compassion, and community engagement. He has served in various leadership roles within the Virginia Annual Conference, including the Board of Church and Society, CEMCA, DCOM, and the Latino Caucus.
Eduardo often draws inspiration from voices like Howard Thurman—“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it” and Karl Barth’s reminder that “preachers must hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” These convictions shape his ministry: rooted in the gospel, responsive to the world.
Outside of church life, Eduardo is a lover of strong coffee, a self-declared amateur foodie (let’s be honest, he’ll eat just about anything as long as it’s edible), and a proud dad who spends his days off chasing his two daughters, Mila and Luna. He shares life with his wife, Katie, a flight attendant, and together they find joy in the everyday moments of grace and chaos.
