More from our Pastor

​

My name is Denis Ismael Otero; I am a Worshipper of YHVH and of Yeshua the Messiah of Yisrael. My primary qualifications for ministry is that I am Born Again and Filled with the Holy Spirit. Here at Olive Tree Congregation I am the Senior Pastor and Torah Teacher.

 

I was born and raised in Albuquerque New Mexico. I graduated from Rio Grande High School (class of 69). I joined the US Navy doing three tours of duty in Vietnam. I became a Believer in 1970 through the Charismatic ­­­­Renewal of the Roman Catholic Church, I quickly became a student of the Scriptures and started teaching at Prayer Meetings, Bible Studies and onboard the Navy ships I was stationed on.

 

After discharge from the Navy and returning to Albuquerque I started Bible Studies at my home. I then enrolled with the “JC Light and Powerhouse” in Southern California. (A Biblical Training Center founded by a Hal Lindsay and Bill Counts) I earned a Diploma in Biblical Studies in 1976.

 

With my GI Bill I enrolled at the University of Albuquerque where I earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Theology/Religious Studies in1982. (Concurrent enrolment with the University of New Mexico who hold the U of A transcripts)

 

In 1990 I enrolled at the Albuquerque Campus of Trinity Collage of the Bible & Theological Seminary, Newburg IN., under the direction of Dr. Steven Collins.  I earned a Masters in Divinity (with a stamp from the University of Liverpool, England). The Abq. Campus became Trinity Southwest University where I received a Fellowship to teach and start a Doctoral Program. I earned a Doctor of Ministry then a Doctor of Religious Studies. (I started as a PH.D candidate which I still hope to finish…) I have been a professor with Trinity Southwest University where I taught Hebrew, Hebraic Studies, and Holy Land Geography. I have led teaching tours to Israel with TSU. I have worked on several Archaeological digs, including Bethsaida, the Temple Mount, and Sodom.

 

I had met a Bishop with the American Episcopal Church and after ecclesiastical studies was ordained a Deacon in 1974 than a Priest (with Roman Apostolic Succession) in 1976 and served as Priest-in-Charge of the Church of Our Savior in Albuquerque, NM. I resigned in 1979 to found Maranatha Missions- a fellowship of ministries and congregations dedicated to discipling individuals in the Hebraic Faith.

 

After discovering that my family were descendants of the Sephardic Jews of the Tribe of Levi who came to the New World from Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, I embarked on investigations into DNA and Genealogical studies which confirmed our family history. I also teach New Mexico History and Sephardic Anusim Studies.

 

Since 1978 I have been on radio and television with my Voice to the Nations and Torah Unleashed Programs on KDAZ Radio, Albuquerque NM; KCHF Channel 11/SBN, Santa Fe, New Mexico and GLC/Primetime Network Television, Odessa, Texas.

 

I was the Archaeologist of record and historian (2001-2006) of the Los Lunas Mystery Stone Foundation which is the caretaker of the Decalogue stone for the State of New Mexico. I have a passion for imparting my knowledge and experience to others who really want to “dig in” to the scriptures. I have written The Hebrew Aleph-Bet Ulpan, The HaDerech Discipleship Manual, The New Covenant Passover Haggadah, The History and Geography of Jerusalem, and The Olive Tree Fellowship.

 

I have served the Body of Messiah and the Albuquerque community through: Jail and Prison ministry, Albuquerque Police Chaplains Program (International Conference of Police Chaplains), and a SWAT Negotiator with the Bernalillo Co. Sheriff’s Dept.