Meet Our Leaders
Pastors and Staff
Pastors and Staff
Carlos Montoya
Lead Teaching Pastor
Pastor Carlos is the founding lead pastor of Blaze Christian fellowship planted in 2004. He attended the Resurgence Theological Training Center and studied Missional Leadership/Discipleship. He and his wife Yvette are blessed with 5 children, and two wonderful grandchildren.
Carlos Montoya
Lead Teaching Pastor
Pastor Carlos is the founding lead pastor of Blaze Christian fellowship planted in 2004. He attended the Resurgence Theological Training Center and studied Missional Leadership / Discipleship. He and his wife Yvette are blessed with 5 children, and two wonderful grandchildren.
Vince Torres
Executive Pastor
Pastor Vince is bivocational and serves as the Executive Pastor at Blaze. He oversees the administrative operations of the church and provides pastoral oversight for various ministries. He and his wife, Tiffany, have been married since 2008, and they have two children.
Vince Torres
Executive Pastor
Pastor Vince is bivocational and serves as the Executive Pastor at Blaze. He oversees the administrative operations of the church and provides pastoral oversight for various ministries. He and his wife, Tiffany, have been married since 2008, and they have two children.
Rudy DelGado
Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Rudy has been with Blaze Christian Fellowship from its inception, coming alongside Pastor Carlos in the ministry. He's been everything from janitor, to worship leader, to teacher. He oversees our videography, construction, and security ministries. Needless to say, he's in with Blaze for the long haul, as he believes in the vision and direction of the fellowship.
Rudy DelGado
Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Rudy has been with Blaze Christian Fellowship from its inception, coming alongside Pastor Carlos in the ministry. He's been everything from janitor, to worship leader, to teacher. He oversees our videography, construction, and security ministries. Needless to say, he's in with Blaze for the long haul, as he believes in the vision and direction of the fellowship.
Venus Ortiz
Church Administrator & Women's Ministry Director
Born and raised in Santa Fe, Venus and her husband Jerome have four amazing children. She serves as director of Illuminate Women's Ministry. Venus is passionate about diving into the "Root Cause" Spiritually through a Biblical View and Physically through Functional Medicine.
Venus Ortiz
Church Administrator &
Women's Ministry Director
Born and raised in Santa Fe, Venus and her husband Jerome have four amazing children. She serves as the director of Illuminate Women's Ministry. Venus is passionate about diving into the "Root Cause" Spiritually through a Biblical View and Physically through Functional Medicine.
Deacons
Deacons
Deacons
Deacons
Rick Barry
Rick is married to his wife Patsy, has 2 children, and 5 grandkids. He was raised in Nambè in Northern Santa Fe County, and came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in March of 1994, and loves living in Santa Fe.
Robert Delgado
Since the church started, Robert has served in different ministries such as the usher, security, cleaning, and construction teams while also serving on the board. Being a part of these teams has been a blessing, working alongside many faithful people that love the Lord.
Rick Barry
Rick is married to his wife Patsy, has 2 children, and 5 grandkids. He was raised in Nambè in Northern Santa Fe County, and came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in March of 1994, and loves living in Santa Fe.
Robert Delgado
Since the church started, Robert has served in different ministries such as the usher, security, cleaning, and construction teams while also serving on the board. Being a part of these teams has been a blessing, working alongside many faithful people that love the Lord.
Matthew Girdner
Matthew is a Santa Fe native and has been serving at Blaze for nearly 15 years. He and his wife, Laura, have 4 children. Matthew enjoys playing the bass for the worship team, serving as a youth leader, and creating graphics for church events.
Dwayne Glidewell
Ron Gonzales
Michael Hernandez
Jerome Ortiz
Rick Barry
Rick is married to his wife Patsy, has 2 children, and 5 grandkids. He was raised in Nambè in Northern Santa Fe County, and came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in March of 1994, and loves living in Santa Fe.
Robert Delgado
Since the church started, Robert has served in different ministries such as the usher, security, cleaning, and construction teams while also serving on the board. Being a part of these teams has been a blessing, working alongside many faithful people that love the Lord.
Matthew Girdner
Matthew is a Santa Fe native and has been serving at Blaze for nearly 15 years. He and his wife, Laura, have 4 children. Matthew enjoys playing the bass for the worship team, serving as a youth leader, and creating graphics for church events.
Dwayne Glidewell
Ron Gonzales
Michael Hernandez
Jerome Ortiz
Matthew Girdner
Matthew is a Santa Fe native and has been serving at Blaze for nearly 15 years. He and his wife, Laura, have 4 children. Matthew enjoys playing the bass for the worship team, serving as a youth leader, and creating graphics for church events.
Dwayne Glidewell
Ron Gonzales
Michael Hernandez
Jerome Ortiz
Ministry Leaders
Ministry Leaders
Laura Girdner
Laura was born and raised in NY and has lived in Santa Fe since 2006. She and her husband Matthew have 4 amazing children and work together in their graphic design firm. Laura loves calling Blaze home and is thankful to get to serve in different capacities to help the people of Santa Fe come to know and love Jesus.
Alex Martinez
Originally from Texas, Alex moved to Santa Fe in 2013. Through a slew of unexpected events, God, in His grace, allowed him to play drums, lead worship, and meet his wife Julie. He and Julie now live in Santa Fe and have 3 awesome boys.
Aaron Turner
Trinidad born, Santa Fe raised, Aaron began at Blaze after a friend invited him to an Easter service that Blaze put on at the NMSD. Since then, Aaron felt the call to serve in children's ministry, on the cleaning and construction crews, and now in the Ushers team. He'll do whatever God calls him to do.
Elizabeth Lennon
Since its inception, Elizabeth has served at Blaze in children's, worship, women's, and cleaning ministries, and now as leader of the prayer ministry. The prayer team's mission is to exalt God through prayer.
John Salazar
John is married to Shaina Salazar, has 3 sons (Johnny, Santos, and Niko), and was born and raised in Santa Fe. He is a teacher and coach at Capital High School. John’s passion is to help the youth of Santa Fe come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. He feels blessed that God has given him the opportunity to lead Children’s Ministry and work with Jesus’ littlest disciples.
Laura Girdner
Laura was born and raised in NY and has lived in Santa Fe since 2006. She and her husband Matthew have 4 amazing children and work together in their graphic design firm. Laura loves calling Blaze home and is thankful to get to serve in different capacities to help the people of Santa Fe come to know and love Jesus.
Alex Martinez
Originally from Texas, Alex moved to Santa Fe in 2013. Through a slew of unexpected events, God, in His grace, allowed him to play drums, lead worship, and meet his wife Julie. He and Julie have 3 awesome boys together.
Aaron Turner
Trinidad born, Santa Fe raised, Aaron began at Blaze after a friend invited him to an Easter service that Blaze put on at the NMSD. Since then, Aaron felt the call to serve in children's ministry, on the cleaning and construction crews, and now in the Ushers team. He'll do whatever God calls him to do.
Elizabeth Lennon
Since its inception, Elizabeth has served at Blaze in children's, worship, women's, and cleaning ministries, and now as leader of the prayer ministry. The prayer team's mission is to exalt God through prayer.
John Salazar
John is married to Shaina Salazar, has 3 sons (Johnny, Santos, and Niko), and was born and raised in Santa Fe. He is a teacher and coach at Capital High School. John’s passion is to help the youth of Santa Fe come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. He feels blessed that God has given him the opportunity to lead Children’s Ministry and work with Jesus’ littlest disciples.
Laura Girdner
Laura was born and raised in NY and has lived in Santa Fe since 2006. She and her husband Matthew have 4 amazing children and work together in their graphic design firm. Laura loves calling Blaze home and is thankful to get to serve in different capacities to help the people of Santa Fe come to know and love Jesus.
Alex Martinez
Originally from Texas, Alex moved to Santa Fe in 2013. Through a slew of unexpected events, God, in His grace, allowed him to play drums, lead worship, and meet his wife Julie. He and Julie now live in Santa Fe and have 3 awesome boys.
Aaron Turner
Trinidad born, Santa Fe raised, Aaron began at Blaze after a friend invited him to an Easter service that Blaze put on at the NMSD. Since then, Aaron felt the call to serve in children's ministry, on the cleaning and construction crews, and now in the Ushers team. He'll do whatever God calls him to do.
Elizabeth Lennon
Since its inception, Elizabeth has served at Blaze in children's, worship, women's, and cleaning ministries, and now as leader of the prayer ministry. The prayer team's mission is to exalt God through prayer.
John Salazar
John is married to Shaina Salazar, has 3 sons (Johnny, Santos, and Niko), and was born and raised in Santa Fe. He is a teacher and coach at Capital High School. John’s passion is to help the youth of Santa Fe come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. He feels blessed that God has given him the opportunity to lead Children’s Ministry and work with Jesus’ littlest disciples.