Who are Methodists?
We are a world-wide Christian movement founded by John Wesley as a place for Christians of all kinds to come together for encouragement and growth in the faith. For over 200 years, Methodists have been sharing the faith, planting churches, establishing schools and hospitals, and doing anything we can to live out the faith. (For more info, see link below.)
You can see the basic beliefs & practices of Christians in the United Methodist tradition in the links below.
Who is our pastor?
Pastor Joe Tognetti has been in pastoral ministry since 2011, and was fully ordained in 2016. He has served United Methodist congregations in Kempner, San Antonio, Lyford, and Edcouch, and feels blessed to now serve Rio First UMC. Acts 2:42 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 summarize Joe’s ministry emphases: sharing the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection on a personal, communal, and global scale. Joe has a passion for discipleship formation and justice/mercy ministries. He is fluent in Spanglish/Tex-Mex. Joe enjoys spending time with his wife (Leigh Ann), reading theology and fantasy, following current events, and playing nerdy games with friends. He passionately roots for San Francisco sports teams, though he also roots for the Spurs and the Cowboys. He met Leigh Ann in college, and they got married on July 31, 2010. They have two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily, born in 2015 & 2019. Leigh Ann is an Assistant District Attorney in the Civil Litigation Division of the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s office.
Pastor Joe greatly appreciates the ways all of the church's faithful staff, leaders, & members enable Rio First UMC to continue to live as the body of Christ in the community & world!
How is Rio First present in the community?
Check out our "Opportunities" & "Methodist Community Center" pages to learn how we're present in the community!
We are a world-wide Christian movement founded by John Wesley as a place for Christians of all kinds to come together for encouragement and growth in the faith. For over 200 years, Methodists have been sharing the faith, planting churches, establishing schools and hospitals, and doing anything we can to live out the faith. (For more info, see link below.)
You can see the basic beliefs & practices of Christians in the United Methodist tradition in the links below.
Who is our pastor?
Pastor Joe Tognetti has been in pastoral ministry since 2011, and was fully ordained in 2016. He has served United Methodist congregations in Kempner, San Antonio, Lyford, and Edcouch, and feels blessed to now serve Rio First UMC. Acts 2:42 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 summarize Joe’s ministry emphases: sharing the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection on a personal, communal, and global scale. Joe has a passion for discipleship formation and justice/mercy ministries. He is fluent in Spanglish/Tex-Mex. Joe enjoys spending time with his wife (Leigh Ann), reading theology and fantasy, following current events, and playing nerdy games with friends. He passionately roots for San Francisco sports teams, though he also roots for the Spurs and the Cowboys. He met Leigh Ann in college, and they got married on July 31, 2010. They have two daughters, Elizabeth and Emily, born in 2015 & 2019. Leigh Ann is an Assistant District Attorney in the Civil Litigation Division of the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s office.
Pastor Joe greatly appreciates the ways all of the church's faithful staff, leaders, & members enable Rio First UMC to continue to live as the body of Christ in the community & world!
How is Rio First present in the community?
Check out our "Opportunities" & "Methodist Community Center" pages to learn how we're present in the community!
