Jahdiel Matos was ordained on July 25 at the San Fernando Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, mentors, and church family from around the world.
“To see so many people at my ordination was very meaningful because I believe my ministry is fulfilled in people,” Matos said. “It was an affirmation of God’s calling to know I have been a part of their lives. It is humbling and I feel very grateful and blessed.”
Matos is a staff chaplain at Adventist Health Glendale where he provides spiritual and emotional care for patients, their families, and hospital staff. He ministers across several clinical areas, including orthopedics, neuro-telemetry, the intensive care unit, and the emergency department.
Matos was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and traveled to Southern California in 2019 to work for the summer as a Bible worker at the Rialto Spanish Adventist Church. During that time, Pastor Abdul Guzman gave him a tour of Fuller Theological Seminary. The visit made a strong impression, and Matos remembers praying, “God, if you ever give me the opportunity to study here, that would be a dream.”
He returned to the Dominic Republic and became the associate pastor for the Piantini Adventist Church. Two years later, while participating in youth evangelism in California, Pastor Sam Del Pozo encouraged Matos to apply to Fuller despite concerns about tuition and finances.
Matos stepped out in faith, applied, and was accepted. Weeks went by. Then on a Friday evening as Matos listened to someone singing “Way Maker” at an Adventist Youth meeting, his phone buzzed. It was Pastor Del Pozo calling with unexpected news: The Pasadena Spanish Adventist Church had decided to sponsor him while he pursued a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller.
In 2022, Matos moved to California and began serving at the church while completing graduate studies. From admission to Fuller, financial support, and securing a visa during the pandemic, “God aligned everything,” Matos said.
In his work as a chaplain, Matos finds his purpose within the ministry of Jesus. “Jesus didn’t save people from the distance of heaven,” Matos said. “He became flesh and dwelt among people. That has deep implications and significance in my ministry. I believe God called me to be with people, to see them, to love them, and to let them know that although this world is broken and there is pain and suffering, he is with us. When I walk into a hospital room, I see the pain, but I also see how we can share the pain together.”
In addition to his work at Adventist Health Glendale, Matos is a pastor at the San Fernando Spanish Adventist Church. He completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Adventist Health White Memorial along with additional advanced training. He is board-certified through the Association of Professional Chaplains, has bachelor’s degrees in business administration and theology from Dominican Adventist University, a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and ecclesiastical endorsement from Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries.
The importance of people and relationships to Matos was evident during his ordination when church members from throughout his journey gathered to celebrate with him — people from Rialto, Pasadena, San Gabriel, San Fernando, and beyond, including his home church in the Dominican Republic via livestream.
“I don’t think anyone gets where they are by themselves,” Matos said. “There are always people who have poured into us their time, their resources, their wisdom, their prayers. Seeing the people at my ordination, I was reminded I am here because of God and because of all of them. It’s because of their prayers, support, advice, and mentorship, and because they gave me the opportunity to serve them and to love them.”