For the past 14 years, Jaime “Serio” Torres has served as the associate director of the Faith Formation Office, overseeing the St. Andrew School of Evangelization and his nationally recognized program Fuerza Transformadora.
On June 28, he is leaving his position at the Diocese of Little Rock to continue evangelization and counseling efforts.
“There are some things that I started that I still want to be a part of for sure,” Torres said, explaining that even though he will no longer be the associate director, he will still be involved in diocesan events. “I’m still going to keep coming to retreating, helping the youth. Right now, I’m writing (a program) for couples.”
A former gang leader from Los Angeles, Torres moved to Rogers in 1995 with his family when he was 23 years old to escape the violence of the West Coast. But Torres continued to find trouble in northwest Arkansas. When Torres was released from jail in 2000, he decided to change his life for good.
While Torres initially wanted to open a rehabilitation center, he realized he didn’t have the counseling background needed, so he shifted to evangelization.
In 2006, Torres founded his own ministry, Fuerza Transformadora, or Transforming Force, aimed at helping young people and individuals entrenched in street and gang violence. Fuerza Transformadora now has an established program in seven parishes across the state. Torres also coupled his program with his talents as a Christian rapper and music producer.
Torres, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock, began working for the diocese in 2010, leading youth events and evangelizing to the Hispanic community in Arkansas with his amazing story. Torres also oversaw the St. Andrew School of Evangelization, a diocesan ministry that began in March 2011 to help individuals evangelize in English and Spanish.
St. Andrew School of Evangelization will be led by Samuel Ramirez, a volunteer who had experience with the program. Ramirez took on the leadership role in January. Fuerza Transformadora will continue in the diocese with volunteers in the Hispanic Ministry Office.
While Torres isn’t positive what he’ll do next, he knows that his whole life and career has been based around his faith and trust in God.
As he finishes his counseling certification, he’s excited to see where God calls him next. He knows that this time, though, the many friends he has made through evangelizing in Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico and New Jersey are eager to help.
Torres is thankful for the people he met and the friends he made at the diocese, too.
“I love the Diocese of Little Rock,” Torres said. “All the chances they gave me, the opportunities. Everything I learned was because of the Diocese of Little Rock.”
Jeff Hines, director of the Office of Faith Formation, said Torres is a role model for many people.
“It has been a blessing to have Serio on our diocesan staff,” Hines said. “He is a model of a life led by the Holy Spirit and an example for us all on proclaiming the life-changing power of Jesus for those who accept his offer of peace and hope.”
“Everything I learned from the Bible,” Torres said. “Anyone can do it. I was a gang member. I was a drug addict. Jesus changed my life, and I know that he wants to change yours.”
For more information about Fuerza Transformadora, visit dolr.org/faith-formation/transforming-force.
