Paulo Tenorio’s ministry experience has taken him all over the world—Brazil, Guam, South Korea, Argentina, Texas, Michigan, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and more.
“When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a pastor,” Tenorio recalled. “But then, when I became a teenager, things started to change, and I realized that I didn’t feel called to be a pastor.”
That all changed during his senior year, when he felt the Holy Spirit prompting him to respond to a student missionary opportunity in South Korea. “It was in that missionary year that I felt God’s calling for ministry, for pastoral work,” Tenorio continued. Upon his return from South Korea, he went on to study theology and graduate from Southern Adventist University.
This January, he joined the Southern California Conference team, stepping into the role of youth director. As he reflected on this next step, Tenorio recalled, “God kept pointing in the direction of going back to youth ministry.”
Most recently, Tenorio served as a pastor for the Guam-Micronesia Mission. He was also involved in youth ministries during his time on the island, organizing the first-ever Adventurer camporee for Guam. Prior to moving to Guam, he served in the Texas Conference for 12 years, beginning as a pastor. After a couple of years, he moved to the conference office as associate youth director and soon went on to serve as the youth director, during which time he organized a large virtual camporee during the first few months of the covid pandemic.
When asked what he most enjoys about youth ministry, he talked about “seeing the click—when a young person has a wall against the Holy Spirit and then seeing that wall come down.” He mentioned this could happen in a discipleship or mentorship program, Pathfinders or youth event, summer camp, or school week of prayer.
“At first you see them with their arms crossed, face sticking out, very serious, very ‘I don’t want to be here. I hate it being here.’ Then toward the end, the Holy Spirit has been getting access, day by day or week by week. And then you see it—a change in their attitude, their demeanor, and they’re just surrendering to God. To me, that’s a beautiful thing. Then the celebration is the baptism. I am big on baptisms and trying to help people make that decision, whether they’re young or older. For me, that’s the highlight: the transformation.”
Tenorio looks forward to exploring Southern California and meeting new people, while getting acquainted with the team, listening to ideas, and building on structures. He will be joined by his wife, Ana, and their two daughters.
