Welcome Josh Esparza! New Director of Adult Ministries and Leadership Development

We are excited to welcome Josh Esparza as the new Director of Adult Ministries & Leadership Development. Josh will lead our church’s faith development programs for adults and high school youth through supporting Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU); designing and managing opportunities for adults of all ages to explore, clarify, and develop their spiritual values and grow into engaged church members and leaders; and managing the Faith Forward Spiritual Leadership Path.

Josh brings to us a wealth of experience ranging from executive church leadership to community development and mental health counseling. As Executive Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Allen, he led strategic planning processes, developed ministry initiatives, and executed diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. Josh’s ministry journey also includes significant youth, young adult, and adult leadership roles throughout his tenure. 

Josh holds a Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Professional Counseling from Amberton University, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Texas. This unique combination of theological education and mental health expertise allows him to bring both spiritual depth and therapeutic insight to our collective ministry work. Josh serves on multiple community boards, including Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation, and is a trained WISE sex education facilitator.

A message from Josh:

I am thrilled to join the First Unitarian Church of Dallas community as your new Director of Adult Ministries & Leadership Development! What excites me most is learning about this vibrant community and all the amazing work already happening here. I can’t wait to dive in alongside you to continue building on these foundations while exploring fresh opportunities for spiritual growth and connection.

Throughout my time in ministry, I’ve been passionate about creating spaces where people can be authentically known, empowered to grow, and inspired to make a difference in their communities. I’m energized by the possibilities ahead as we design programs that honor where each person is on their spiritual path while creating opportunities for us to grow together. I’m eager to get to know each of you and learn about your hopes and ideas for our ministry together. Please reach out, and I’d love to grab coffee with you! I have a feeling we’re going to do incredible things together as we live out our values with courage, compassion, and joy.

Please join us in welcoming Josh to our church community!