Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodrigo Vargas.
Hi Rodrigo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Chile, South America. My parents and I migrated to the USA in 1980 fleeing political persecution and lived as illegal immigrants for a decade because my parents, unfortunately, did not qualify to be refugees so we had to find a way to citizenship the hard way. I struggled with the language, the culture, racism and also was a victim of verbal abuse by someone I looked up to, physically abused at school by an authority figure and sexually abused by a trusted babysitter all by the age of 6.
These traumatic events along with the constant fear of deportation, weighed on me as a child because I knew my father could not go back to our home country without having serious consequences from the dictator that ruled back then. This caused in me a loss of identity and struggled to get along with my peers. Ridiculed because I had a thick accent but had light skin for a Latino, I was ashamed of who I was, in more ways than just one.
At the age of 13, I experimented with alcohol and noticed that when I was drunk that voice that beat me up would go away. In 1989 when I was entering High School my parents moved us from Los Angeles, CA where I was raised up until then to Houston, TX. It was while I was in High School that alcohol was not enough and I began to experiment with harder drugs.
I lived a life of delinquency and criminality doing all sorts of ungodly things. But I also met the love of my life, my wife and high school, sweetheart Sara. Right after high school she got pregnant, so at the age of 19 years old we were married and parenting our first born Maximilian (presently a US Airmen). It was during this time that I also told my family that I was an atheist and despised all things God and mostly all Christians.
By the time I was 25 years old, I had climbed the management ladder at a corporately owned auto parts store and had hired a young man that I thought was cool because he was tattooed and was a rock star previously. That young man months later led me to Christ during a simple bible study.
I began to succeed in life and started a real estate company and while I was being successful with my businesses, making a ton of money and growing a family, I was also dying inside. You see I never really faced the ugly truth of my abuses. I was embarrassed, ashamed, traumatized. I just covered it up with religion, money, success, alcohol, cocaine, Xanax and material wealth. Earning in excess of $500K a year but dying inside.
The addiction to greed began then cocaine, Xanax and inevitably… I became depressed. Turns out I struggle with bipolar depression and it was undiagnosed. This led me down downward spiral… legal problems, court cases and highly addicted. One night I decided that since I didn’t want to shoot myself, I would take a handful of Xanax and a bottle vodka. My wife found me white as a ghost with blue lips, she didn’t know what to do but PRAY. I woke up miraculously a few hours later… as it turns out God wasn’t done.
A few months later, I was dismissed of all legal charges and entered Rehab Facility right in Spring Branch, TX. Three days into detox I humbled myself and got honest with God. I sat on a park bench and said the following to God, “Lord I have been running from you, but today I give you all of me and whatever you ask me to do, I will do”
I completed my 45 day treatment and a few months later I walked into a life giving church that embraced me with all my flaws. They gave me grace to work out my faith and growth. Within the first 18 months I was the youth pastor and it was while I was pastoring young people that God gave me the vision for UNION Houston.
God showed me a community that was vibrant and diverse, multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural & multi-generational. A place were all people are welcomed the same He welcomed me in. A place where the spirit of God is felt and experienced. A place where people feel they can belong, and can call home.
6 years ago, I took a leap of faith. Cashed out my savings, sold the dream home we lived in and left a 6 figure job that I loved to pursue the vision God gave me; UNION HOUSTON.
5 years ago on September 11, 2016, that dream became a reality. This September 11th we celebrate 5 years of connecting people to God. 5 years of 100s of salvations, 1000s of volunteer man hours of outreach, we have helped launch 3 churches, we help plant churches in India and underground churches in Iran. We help raise thousands of dollars to help the homeless, the prisoners and those trapped in Human trafficking. We have been featured in ABC13 for our work with immigrant kids trapped in the system, on FOX 26 for a special Easter special. I am part of Mayor Turner Health & Safety Board to help the most disenfranchised communities have chance at health.
But I gotta say although we are grateful for all that God is doing through us we know that God is not done. We have big vision and want to see our city as a beacon of Hope for the rest of the country.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been rough. But to be honest nothing compared to my upbringing. I came from the mud and I am called to the mud so I have a clear understanding that I am gonna get dirty. I was not privileged to have been raised in church nor have I had a long relationship with American Evangelical Church. I am kind of an outsider so many of those circles and they don’t feel very open to me. I have to truly rely on God.
The religious attack me for my looks, my methods and my style. People abuse us, use us and have even used our children as a way to win favor with us. It is very painful but we know God has protected us.
Raising money in our area for what we do is extremely tough as well. Most want to see tangible evidence of the money being raised like a new building or additions but most of what we raise goes out to help our ministry partners. We do all things in excellence so many people think we have a ton of cash so do not give even though many of them grew up in church and some were even pastors kids. I realized this was going to take a move of God first and then people’s hearts. This is hard but I never said impossible.
Being backstabbed and slandered without the ability defend oneself is something I have grown tremendously in and it has previously taken a toll. Many will come and say they are for you and how great you are and how much they love you but in the end talk is cheap, Having said that, I have noticed that those deemed most unqualified, those that aren’t church kids nor pastor kids, nor religious are the most faithful, most loyal and those that grow the most and they’re worth all the pain because you get to see all the growth and how God blesses them. I also noticed it’s why Jesus began with fishermen and not Pharisees and Jewish Leaders.
We’ve been impressed with UNION Houston, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
It was a life-giving church that changed the way I saw church and helped restore my relationship with Jesus. It was a life-giving church that empowered me to be a leader and a pastor.
Who are we for? UNION Houston is for all people always, regardless of your past, your doubts, or struggles. Whatever your story may be, you are welcome to come and actively engage in our community, and help bring to life our mission of city outreach.
What we are for? The City of Houston is now one of the most ethnically diverse metro area in the country, surpassing New York City. Along with this beautiful, diverse city come some serious complications. These complications affect our lives and our city more than we would like to admit… POVERTY… HOMELESSNESS… BROKEN FAMILIES… ADDICTION… HUMAN TRAFFICKING…
Why we exist? Our values of Love, Hope, and Faith will allow us to Restore a city with Hope, Influence a culture with Faith and Change lives with Love. Jesus is the solution and we are the change we want to see. Our message is Jesus. Our goal is change.
What matters most to you? Why?
Jesus, The Gospel & PEOPLE
Contact Info:
- Email: pastor@unionhouston.com
- Website: https://www.unionhouston.com
- Instagram: revrodhtx
- Facebook: revrodhtx
- Twitter: revrodhtx
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/UNIONHouston
Image Credits
Kayla Salazar
Inez Lara
