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Senior Pastor
Rev. Joe Tognetti

I grew up in a Catholic family in San Francisco, California. I moved to San Antonio to attend Trinity University in 2003. I graduated from Trinity in 2007. I received God's call to pastoral ministry on May 18, 2008. I served as a youth minister from 2008-2010, becoming a Methodist in April 2009. I especially like the UMC"s emphasis on the fullness of God's grace and Christ's call to pursue both personal and social holiness. I have served as a pastor since 2011 and was fully ordained in 2016. I have served congregations in Kempner, San Antonio, Lyford, Edcouch, Rio Grande City, and now feels blessed to serve St. Mark UMC-McAllen.
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 speaks to my ministry emphases: the centrality of love and humility in seeking to follow the Way of our crucified and risen Jesus Christ. I have a passion for discipleship formation and community ministries that further God's mercy and justice. I am proficient in Spanish, or at least the "TexMex" dialect which is spoken in the Rio Grande Valley. I enjoy spending time with my family, which include my wife Leigh Ann and our two daughters, Elizabeth (7) and Emily (3). I also read theology, fantasy, and Texas history; follows current events; and plays nerdy games with friends. I passionately root for San Francisco sports teams, though I also support the Spurs, Baylor Bears, and the Cowboys. I met Leigh Ann in college, and we got married in 2010. Leigh Ann is currently as Assistant District Attorney in the Civil Division of the Hidalgo County District Attorney's office.