about

Olga-Maria Cruz

Pastor · Writer · Speaker

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I’m a pastor who believes the Christian faith, at its best, is open to questions, grounded in God’s grace, and spacious enough for real lives.

 

I serve as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland, Florida (ELCA). I care especially about sharing good news with people who are curious about faith, or cautious because of past harm, and with those seeking a Christian community marked by  integrity and joy.

 

My ministry is shaped by trust in Jesus Christ, in whom God’s love is always present and already at work. In that presence, there is room for honesty, difference, and growth, without fear or coercion.

 

Before ordination, I spent many years in university teaching, ethics, and young adult spiritual formation. I bring that experience into my preaching and pastoral work through a commitment to justice, inclusion, and a posture of listening.

 

At the heart of my ministry is a simple promise.

God’s love is for you—right now, just as you are.