Marvin Lorenzana was born in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras. In 1994, he felt called by God to become a missionary to the country with the second largest Hispanic population in the world — second only to Mexico: the United States of America! In the USA, he has served as a youth pastor, associate pastor, senior pastor and church planter, in assignments in New Orleans, Louisiana; El Paso, Texas; Miami, Florida; and most recently in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He is an ordained and licensed minister with Lancaster Mennonite Conference. Lorenzana currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, along with his wife, Mariana, with whom he has raised two children, Pablo (23) and Alexa (21). He also has a granddaughter, Sophia (3).
In his role as president of Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM), Lorenzana is focused on making sure that the organization’s grand purpose (vision) is realized. Based on the values of obedience, well-being and multiplication, and through the power of Christ’s transforming love, EMM hopes to cross cultures, engage the world, and make disciples of Jesus. Marvin consistently challenges leaders and churches to go back to the relational roots of the Great Commission. Marvin enjoys traveling with his wife,attending live music performances (mostly jazz) and listening to books via Audible.
Marvin has an AA in computer information technology from Delgado Community College and a BS in management and organizational development from Eastern Mennonite University (EMU). He also has a Masters of Divinity (M.Div) from Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS), as well as a Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min) from Asbury Theological Seminary (ATS), where he was a Beeson Scholar. His Ministry Transformational Project (dissertation) title is, “Missional Discipleship Initiative: Coaching Leaders to Develop a Discipling Culture within Hispanic Congregations Part of Mennonite Church USA.”