Ruben and Monica Fernandez - Preparing with the highest excellence the largest possible number of ministers for the extension of God´s kingdom.

Dr. Ruben E. Fernandez, along with his wife Dr. Monica E. Mastronardi Fernandez, both from Argentina, are elders and global missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene in Costa Rica.

Ruben and Monica are descendants of the first generation Nazarenes in Argentina. Many in their family are -or have been- church leaders and pastors. Ruben's older brother, Carlos, is a retired missionary who has served in the Church of the Nazarene.

Dr. Fernandez is the President of the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas - SENDAS - in San Jose, Costa Rica. Dr. Monica Mastronardi Fernandez is the General Editor of the School of Leadership for the Mesoamerica Region.

The Fernandez’ began their ministry as pastors (1982-1990) and then as professors of theological education at various institutions (1986-1990) in their home country. At the South American Seminary in Pilar, Argentina, Ruben served as Academic Dean and Administrator from 1990-1995.

Dr. Fernandez service as the Field Director for MAC South (Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) from 2000 to 2002, and in addition to serving as the SENDAS President from 1995, he has also served as the Regional Education Coordinator for MAC and Mesoamerica from 1998 to 2021. Dr. Fernandez has been a conference speaker on five continents and as a professor he specializes in topics related to leadership and administration of the church. 

Dr. Monica Mastronardi Fernandez served as Vice President of Institutional Development of SENDAS. She teaches in the areas of leadership and church development in the theological education programs at SENDAS. She has written various publications, including the well-known Basic Discipleship Lessons that has been translated into more than twenty languages and dialects for use by the Church of the Nazarene.

Ruben and Monica have two children, Juan (38) and Andrés (34). Juan is married to Stephanie and they have four children, Diego (11), Dalia (9), Aleia (7) and Rubi (5). He works as Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Bethany Christian Services. Bethany is a global nonprofit that supports children and families with social services, located in Grand Rapids, MI (USA) and Andrés is an ordained elder and Nazarene pastor in the Central District of Costa Rica.  Andres also serves as the Undergraduate Level Coordinator at the seminary.