Claremont School of Theology (CST) and the California-Pacific Annual Conference (Cal-Pac) of The United Methodist Church are pleased to announce the establishment of the Rev. M. Guadalupe “Lupita” Alonso-Redondo Scholarship Initiative. This groundbreaking partnership is designed to prepare, equip, and support the next generation of Latine/Hispanic ministry leaders serving Southern California.
Honoring a Legacy of Resilience
The initiative celebrates the life and ministry of the Rev. M. Guadalupe Alonso-Redondo, affectionately known as “Lupita.” A beloved United Methodist pastor, her courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to service left a lasting impact across the California-Pacific Conference.
Rev. Alonso-Redondo served Spanish-speaking and bilingual congregations from her commissioning in 2005 until her passing in 2023. Though she lived with significant physical disabilities and utilized a wheelchair, she was widely known for her extraordinary determination, pastoral leadership, and deep compassion. Her life stands as a powerful testament to faith, perseverance, and community.
“Lupita’s ministry embodied the conviction that barriers need not define a person’s calling,” said CST Co-President Bishop Grant Hagiya. “This initiative honors her legacy by ensuring that future generations of leaders have access to the theological education, support, and formation necessary to serve vibrant and growing Latine/Hispanic communities throughout Southern California.”
Transforming Institutional Debt into Educational Opportunity
The scholarship initiative is made possible through an innovative recharacterization of an existing loan from Cal-Pac to CST. This partnership strengthens CST’s financial position while simultaneously investing in future church leaders. Rather than remaining as a financial obligation on our balance sheet, these resources are being transformed into active ministry preparation and leadership formation.
Through this alignment, Cal-Pac and CST will work collaboratively to identify, recruit, and educate students called to ministry in Latine/Hispanic cultural contexts. The initiative will provide tuition support for students pursuing degrees that fulfill educational requirements for ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church, including the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and the Master of Arts in Ministry, Leadership, and Service (MAMLS).
“This initiative represents a shared commitment to the future of the Church,” said Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Resident Bishop of the California-Pacific Conference. “Our Latine/Hispanic congregations are rich with gifts, leadership potential, and a growing need for trained, ordained clergy. By investing directly in students, we are investing in the vitality of our churches and communities for generations to come.”
Holistic Support and Radical Inclusivity
Beyond tuition assistance, scholarship recipients will benefit from a comprehensive network of support designed to nurture them throughout their educational journey:
The Rev. M. Guadalupe “Lupita” Alonso-Redondo Scholarship Initiative is launched as a pilot program that will be evaluated over time, with the long-term goal of expanding support and developing additional partnerships for underserved communities.
Graduates supported by the initiative will commit to serving in ministry appointments within the California-Pacific Annual Conference, ensuring this leadership investment directly benefits the local congregations and communities the program was created to serve.
For more information about the Rev. M. Guadalupe “Lupita” Alonso-Redondo Scholarship Initiative, please contact the Admissions Office by emailing admissions@cst.edu.