Founding Pastor, Family of Faith Worship Center
Rev. Rubén Andrade Jr. was born in West, Texas and raised in Waco by his paternal grandparents, the late Rev. Leandro and Luz Andrade. He attended Waco ISD schools and Baylor University. After working in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years at the local, state and national level, Pastor Rubén was named a White House Champion of Change by former President Barack Obama in Los Angeles California.
Throughout the years Pastor Ruben has traveled extensively throughout the United States speaking at national conferences on topics such as parental involvement, fatherhood and community engagement. He has also served as an independent consultant for both Head Start and Early Head Start Programs across the nation. In 2005, he founded Male Impact, an after school program implemented in Waco ISD middle schools to serve young male students. His passion has been to advocate for children and families and he has done so by serving on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, Community Cancer Association, AVANCE Waco, McLennan County Hunger Coalition and an array of advisory boards such as the Waco Parks and Recreation Commission Board.
In 2009, Pastor Ruben transitioned from the nonprofit world and became the founding pastor of Family of Faith Worship Center, a multicultural nondenominational church in North Waco. Later in December 2016, he founded Family of Faith Christian Academy, an early child development center for children 18 months to 5 year olds. In 2017, Pastor Ruben expanded the ministry’s social services under what is known today as the Eva A. Soza Dream Center. The Dream Center is a nonprofit where more than 4000 individuals receive free GED, ESL, Spanish, Sewing, Financial Literacy and Job Skills classes in addition to free clothes and groceries every month through the Beans & Rice and Jesus Christ Food Pantry. In June 2020, Pastor Rubén celebrated his 15th year as pastor of Family of Faith Worship Center. His effective community partnerships with businesses, civic groups, nonprofits and schools is a testament of his love and commitment to serving children and families throughout the Greater Waco area.
