Pastor Florentino "Tino" Cordova is the 11th of 12 children in his family who were born and raised in rural Eastern New Mexico in a small Village called Mosquero- a place where the community takes care of one another's needs without question.  Rev. Tino’s graduating class in 1983 consisted of only ten people!

​

After serving in the US Army from 1986 to 1990 as an Infantry Soldier, his educational journey continued with a Certificate of Information Processing Specialist from Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho (1992), a B.A.  in Religious Studies from Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin (2009), and a Master of Divinity and Certificate of Sexuality & Religion from Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA (2013).  Rev. Tino completed one unit of Chaplaincy at Alta Bates Medical Center in Oakland, California (2013).  He is the only sibling in his family to achieve a master's level degree and the only one on his father or mother’s side of the family to attend seminary and become an ordained minister.

​

Rev. Tino was ordained in 2013 through the Metropolitan Community Church and received “standing” in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  He then transferred his standing to the United Church of Christ, Hawaii Conference – Tri-Aisle Association on Maui.  He recently moved back from Maui and has dual standing with the California-Nevada Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ and the Pacific Southwest Region – Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

​

Rev. Tino began his ministry as an Office Manager with the Department of Veterans Affairs – Vet Center Program, a readjustment counseling program for Vietnam and combat Veterans and their families (1992-1996).  After a career change and completing seminary, he was called as the Interim Pastor of First Christian Church – Disciples of Christ in Watsonville, California (2013 to 2016).  He then moved to Maui where he served as Senior Pastor at Iao United Church of Christ (2017 to 2022).

​

Rev. Tino believes in the importance of community outreach and in the empowerment of our beloved children, youth, and Young Adults.  He emphasized the importance of moving the church back into the community and fostering a church community that refuses to be silent or complacent amid injustices.  He believes in leading with boldness as the faith community empowers itself and celebrates equality for ALL of God’s beloved children.

​

“We encourage others by leading with the example of our actions.” – Rev. Tino Cordova