Pastors and Staff
Carlos Montoya is the founding lead pastor of Blaze Christian fellowship planted in 2004. Carlos attended the Resurgence Theological Training Center and studied Missional Leadership/Discipleship. Carlos has been married to his wife Yvette for 29 years and are blessed to have fostered numerous kids in their home as well as having five kids of their own ranging in ages from 27-16, and one grandson.
Carlos Montoya
Lead Teaching 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 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. Presently "PR" is heading 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
Venus was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has been married to her husband Jerome for 20 years and has four amazing children, two of whom she homeschools. Venus serves on the Illuminate Women's Ministry Team and the Sparks Children's Church Team. Venus is passionate about diving into the "Root Cause" Spiritually through a Biblical View and Physically through Functional Medicine.
Venus Oritz
Church Administrator
Deacons
Rick is married to his wife Patsy, has 2 children, and 5 grandkids. He was raised in Nambè, Northern Santa Fe County and came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on March 1994, and loves living in Santa Fe.
Rick Barry
Deacon
Being a part of Blaze Christian fellowship since the inception of the church, Robert, or "Rob", has served in different ministries such as the usher, security, cleaning, and construction teams while also serving on the board. For Rob, being a part of these teams has been a blessing, working alongside many faithful people that love the Lord.
Robert Delgado
Deacon
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.
Matthew Girdner
Deacon
Dwayne Glidewell
Deacon
Ron Gonzales
Deacon
Head of Guest Services
Head of Guest Services
Michael Hernandez
Deacon
Jerome Ortiz
Deacon
Ministry Leaders
Laura was born and raised in NY and has lived in Santa Fe for over 15 years now. 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.
Laura Girdner
Youth Ministry Director
Originally a musician from San Antonio, Alex moved to Santa Fe in the fall of 2013. What drew him to Blaze is how the people there authentically dedicated themselves to teach, equip, and live by God's word. Through a slew of unexpected events, God, in His grace, allowed him to play drums, lead worship, and meet the love of his life, Julie; they now serve the Lord together at Blaze, having called Santa Fe home.
Alex Martinez
Worship Leader
Julie Martinez would have proudly considered herself a world-traveling nomad until she met and married the love of her life Alex, in New Mexico, which is now home sweet home. She's always had a heart for children, and God has provided many opportunities to put that love into action including mission trips, mentoring through the Boys and Girls Club, working at House of Blessing Orphanage, and now serving as Children's Ministry Director at Blaze. Being a boy mom, she's always up for an adventure and desires to bring life wherever she roams.
Julie Martinez
Children's Ministry Director
Born in Trinidad, CO; raised Santa Fean-Aaron began attending Blaze after a longtime friend invited him to an Easter service that Blaze put on at the New Mexico School for the Deaf. Since then, Aaron has felt the call to serve in children's ministry, on the cleaning and construction crews, and now in leading the Ushers team; anything the Lord would have him do, he wants to do just that.
Aaron Turner
Head of Ushers & Greeters
Having attended Blaze Christian Fellowship since its inception, Elizabeth has served 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. Our Savior interceded on our behalf (John 17), praying to His Father for his Apostles and all of us who would believe in His name. We are to do likewise, interceding for all who need or ask for prayer.
Elizabeth Lennon
Prayer Ministry Director