Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Raquel Rodriguez.

Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Raquel Rodriguez.

Rev. Raquel Rodriguez passed away on February 2, 2024. She and her husband, Dr. Carmelo Alvarez Santos, served as mission co-workers with Global Ministries in Latin America for decades. Rev. Rodriguez was born on May 11, 1949, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. She studied at the University of Puerto Rico and Seminario Biblico Latinoamericano, earning degrees in History, Education, and Theology.

Both she and her husband were appointed as mission co-workers in January of 1984 to work with the Latin American Council of Churches in San José, Costa Rica. Raquel served as the administrative assistant for the Office of Pastoral Consolation and Solidarity.

Starting in August of 1987, the couple served as mission co-workers with the Departamento Ecuménico de Investigaciones (DEI) in San José, Costa Rica. Raquel worked specifically with women groups in protestant churches within DEI’s “Specific Struggles” program.

After they retired as mission co-workers, they continued to serve in Latin America in volunteer roles. Rev. Rodriguez also served as the Program Associate in the Latin America and the Caribbean office for Global Ministries. She later served as the Executive for Latin American and the Caribbean for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America based in Chicago. Raquel and Carmelo have two daughters, Nina and Margarita.

The family is planning a private service to honor Raquel’s life of service to others.