Ruth Giraldo-Mangual

Minister Ruth Giraldo-Mangual joined the ABCNJ ministry on February 1, 2023. In this role, Ruth will work with our churches and leaders to provide leadership for the Sacred Safe Space ministry and Women in Ministry and develop spiritual formation experiences for ABCNJ. Ruth is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, earning her Master of  Divinity, a certificate in Theology, Women, and Gender, and her certification in Spiritual Direction. During Ruth's seminarian journey, she was selected for the highly sought fellowship with Sacred Sector – through the Center for Public Justice. While at Princeton, she served on the Advisory Committee on Institutional Diversity. Ruth also served as a Field Education Intern at a multicultural church in Plainfield.

Before entering seminary, Ruth was an Assistant Property Manager for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Adjunct Professor at Monroe College and Suffolk Community College, Pastry Instructor, and Executive Pastry Chef in NYC. Ruth utilized her knowledge of Pastry Arts when she worked for Restore NYC, a Human Trafficking non-profit organization, as an Economic Empowerment Manager and Safe Home Coordinator; she served women survivors of labor and sex trafficking. Ruth is a chef with a heart for empowering women and girls, especially those living on society’s margins.  Ruth states, “Everyone has the right to know they are loved, embraced, seen, and not forgotten. As ABCNJ’s Minister of Transformation and Spiritual Formation, and in collaboration with the ABCNJ team, our goal is to effectively equip and educate our churches to come alongside individuals who have experienced domestic and sexual violence and let them know that they are loved and not forgotten.”

Ruth's ministry experience began in Brooklyn, NY, where she held multiple positions in a multicultural church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Worship Team Leader, Youth Counselor, and Elder. She has worked in various other churches and departments, including outreach ministries, intercessory prayer, and mentoring teenage girls.

Ruth is the owner and Executive Chef of Azuca Patisserie. Her mission is to "Feed both the body and soul” - providing an opportunity for wholistic transformation while feeding the 5,000 and more. As a minister of the gospel, Ruth leads from a theological foundation while utilizing her culinary experience to address matters of public justice and hospitality.

Ruth is a mother, wife, and advocate for building beloved communities which embrace respect, diversity, truth, and justice for all of God’s creation.