Dear Church Family,
I am writing today to share important news about Pastor Juan-Daniel Espitia. Below, he shares his medical condition and plans for retirement in his own words. I have also included some vital information for our church in this season.
As you well know, I have struggled with my speech for the last six months. They have run tests of all sorts, and incidentally, they found an aneurysm unrelated to my diagnosis. I had a successful surgery on April 29 to resolve the aneurysm. After two evaluations by an experienced neurologist, I have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which is a progressive neurological disease that can cause voice difficulties, damages nerves and muscles, and for which there is a lot of research, but no cure.
They told me every case is different; the type of ALS I have is Bulbar Onset, which starts with voice difficulties and then progresses to the nerves and muscles in the limbs. To make sure that I have time for family, some traveling, exercise, and treatments, I am starting my paperwork to retire sometime this fall/winter. More information will follow as we get closer. I will continue to preach, as I am able, in the Hispanic Worship Service and look forward to preaching on June 16 in the Sanctuary.
I dream of continuing to serve Latino missionaries and their families, sharing the gospel around the world, specifically by providing psychotherapy in Spanish, Portugués, or English. God’s sovereignty is real, and Letty, our children, and I trust and pray to Him, knowing His body, the church, will be with us in this process.
I have cried several times about this situation, in part, my grieving for all the changing circumstances, but also out of gratitude to God, Letty, each of my children, and the church. I consider it a real honor and privilege to have been a tool at God’s service for the last 52 years. We know we will face many different and real difficulties, especially after I retire. Still, we are putting all our future in HIS hands.
Thank you ALL for the privilege of getting to know you, serving you, and working with you.
Respectfully in Him,
Juan-Daniel Espitia
Associate Pastor
The information above is a lot to absorb in one letter. I know you will join me in praying for Juan-Daniel, Letty, Astrid, Cemelli, and Danny as they journey together as a family.
We also join together in praying for our Hispanic Ministries leadership team and Jpetul J’ernantes, who continues to serve alongside JD as a commissioned ruling elder to lead in worship and preach.
My desire is for us to support Juan-Daniel in the most tangible and practical ways. JD has already gathered a small team of experts who are providing pastoral, medical, financial, emotional, spiritual, and ministry support.
We also want to provide our congregation with a way to show their support for him and his family. To facilitate that, we have set up a webpage that provides additional information and ways our congregation can provide encouragement, prayer, blessings, and financial support to the Espitia family. Please use the link below:
I have reassured JD that his transition to retirement and this season of celebrating and supporting him are why we are all here now. Over the next few months, please join me in expressing our deep gratitude for JD’s friendship, seventeen years of ministry at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, and pastoral leadership on both sides of the border and around the world.
Let’s remember what the apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth about the body of Christ:
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26–27 (NIV)
Together in Christ,
Mike McClenahan
Senior Pastor
