Host Rev. Alba Onofrio welcomes Arelis Figueroa, who discusses the day to day details of accompanying migrants to court dates and protecting them from ICE. Arelis also shares their journey from the Dominican Republic to New York. They discuss the importance of decolonial theology, the struggles of the immigrant community, and the essential work of organizing for justice. They dive into themes of mental health, resurrection, and the power of community, while learning about influential figures within the liberation theology movement. This episode is a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of those who fight for a more inclusive and equitable world.

00:00 Introduction to Queer and Feminist Theology

01:50 Defining 'Sin Vergúenza' and Personal Experiences

05:30 Journey to New York and Community Involvement

07:03 Ministry and Advocacy Work

11:46 Personal Journey and Faith

19:51 Finding Home in People

21:44 The Gift of Resurrection

22:35 Mental Health and Faith

26:39 Accompanying Immigrant Families

29:13 Christian Nationalism and Liberation Theology

37:47 Prophetic Imagination and New Creation

39:43 Honoring Ancestors and Their Legacy

Arelis Figueroa is the Lead Pastor and Co-founder of La Iglesia del Pueblo and holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. She has worked with marginalized communities in New York City for more than thirty years.

Hosted by Rev. Sex (Rev. Alba Onofrio - Executive Director of Soulforce), this podcast channel offers connection, reflection, and community for anyone feeling spiritually marginalized or exiled but still resiliently faithful while centering dialogue on Queer, trans, and feminist theology.

TSV seeks to decolonize faith, mixing theological education with real-life experiences to support human rights and liberation. Initially launched in Spanish, TSV addresses the monopolization of religious discourse by the far right. The platform gathers people of diverse Christian denominations, pastors, activists, and scholars to discuss gender identity, sex, and pleasure in the context of faith, aiming to heal the wounds of colonizing religion and create a welcoming space for topics often considered taboo in religious spaces. For the first time, Teología Sin Vergüenza is now in English.

Join in our community of Sinvergüenzas by visiting our Teología Sin Vergüenza homepage or our Spanish WhatsApp Lista de Difusión. If you’d like to support this cutting-edge movement of ferocious Latinx power building, please make a donation.

https://soulforce.org/donate/