Greetings from InterVarsity as we celebrate Advent—the coming of Emmanuel, God with us!
As the president of a ministry whose staff daily continue to work out the plan that God set in motion with the arrival of His Son, 2,000 years ago, I am privileged to be surrounded by a great team of workers and associates.
Over the past dozen years, one of my greatest joys has been working under five InterVarsity Board Chairs.* Their collective character, wisdom, and care has deeply impacted my life.
InterVarsity Legacy
Our new Chair Rudy Hernandez is a very familiar face around the Fellowship. In 1972, he joined staff and served as a Campus Staff Member in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. He also planted a chapter at the University of Arkansas and revived a small chapter at University of Texas at El Paso. He also served as an Area Director.
For good reason, Rudy is informally known by many as the “godfather of La Fe.” He was InterVarsity’s first full-time Latino staff. And our first Latino Area Director.
Long-time friend and recent Board Chair Dennis O’Neal reflects: “when Rudy was assigned to Oklahoma back in 1974, I easily found him in the Tulsa phone book, because he was nearly the only Hernandez listed. From there, the Lord led him to pioneer work at schools in the predominantly Hispanic South Texas, an area completely untouched by InterVarsity.”
Long after he left staff in 1987, his informal influence upon the Fellowship continued. Orlando Crespo, National Director of La Fe, said, “Rudy means so much to LaFe. He has spoken at our conferences, served as a consultant on Daniel Projects, and been a mentor to many staff. I admire Rudy’s dedication, and I am excited to see how his new role will help our entire Movement grow.”
Beyond InterVarsity
Post-staff, Rudy founded F.C. Financial. He is a Certified Estate Planner and has been assisting senior investors for many years. He is the host of the Safe Money Retirement Radio Show, a frequent seminar speaker, and an educator on retirement and estate planning and tax issues.
Rudy and his wife, Susan, are the proud parents of two daughters and live near San Antonio. He is active in civic and church activities in the Hill Country area.
Rudy is a dear friend and consummate trustee. When he shares his insider’s perspective at board meetings, his passion for campus witness, chapter planting, and multiethnicity is on full display. Our community is oh-so-fortunate to have him step up to play such an important leadership role.
*Past Chairs: John Sommerville (2001-02), Paula Fuller (2003-04), Don Kolowsky (2005-06), Ken Nielsen (2007-10), and Dennis O’Neal (2011-12).
