Nebraska Synod ELCA

When Shayra Rodriguez first connected with her Lutheran congregation, she was searching for someone to officiate her wedding during the uncertain days of COVID. What she found was much more than a pastor — she found a family.

With no relatives nearby other than her brother, Shayra had often felt alone. The welcome she received from her congregation and pastors gave her encouragement and belonging. “They gave me the motivation to give my best and have an extended family,” she says.

That sense of home inspired Shayra to become a lay leader. Today, she serves faithfully in the food pantry, where she not only helps guide people through the process but also encourages them with words of hope and hospitality. “We receive all kinds of nationals from around the world, and it is always good to learn from different cultures,” she reflects.

For Shayra, leadership is about growth and purpose. “It allows me to achieve goals, inspire our team, foster a positive work environment, improve communication and efficiency, and contribute to my personal development by facing challenges,” she shares. Most of all, it allows her to make a meaningful impact on others.

The challenges, however, are real. Shayra admits that the hardest moments come when she encounters the great needs of others — and realizes that resources are sometimes too limited to meet them all. Yet even in those struggles, she sees God’s presence. “God has taught me that despite my problems, I am blessed for everything I have been given… for having a place where I will always be welcome, and for the satisfaction of giving without receiving anything in return.”

Looking back, Shayra is grateful for how her congregation has shaped her life. “I never thought I would do many of the things I have done by being part of this congregation. This community helped me finish my studies, grow professionally and emotionally, and above all, be grateful for what God has provided for me and my family.”

Her passion is evident: “I am passionate about everything — helping, receiving the word of God, which is our bread of life, not feeling alone, knowing my family is filled with love in Jesus, and being challenged every day to be a better person.”

Shayra’s story is a reminder that when God calls us into community, we are never truly alone.