Printable Biography (PDF)    Printable Biography - Spanish (PDF)

FIELD
Joaquin has served with Missions Door since 1985 in various ministry roles in the Dominican Republic, México and the United States.

In May of 2003 the Vargases moved to Denver when Joaquin was asked to become a member of the Executive Leadership Team of the Mission.  His initial leadership responsibility was to oversee Latino ministry in the United States, as well as help the Mission better serve our Spanish-language missionaries.  Soon the oversight of our Caribbean and Mexico ministries was added to his responsibilities, and then all of Central America. 

FAITH
Joaquín was raised as a Roman Catholic in the Dominican Republic. At the age of 18 he heard the Gospel for the first time when he came to the United States as an exchange student.

After returning to the Dominican Republic, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior. Following his conversion, Joaquín planted a new church in Santo Domingo while attending Bible Institute there. Joaquín returned to the United States in 1992 to study at Denver Seminary for a Master of Arts in World Christianity (Missions) and he graduated in June 1994.  

In 1995, Joaquin and Oneida were appointed to start a new church in Nogales, Sonora, México and they worked there until 2000. 

For 10 years Joaquín collaborated with the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and served as a consultant for festivals in England, México, Spain and the United States.

The Vargases moved to Denver in 2003 to serve on the Executive Leadership Team of the Mission. In January 2008, Joaquin was named the Director of Latino & Caribbean Ministries. In August 2009, Joaquin was appointed Vice President of Latino and Caribbean Ministries by the Missions Door leadership to supervise the missionaries that are located in this region of the world.

FAMILY
In 1981 Joaquín married Oneida, also a Dominican, and they have three children: Mariel, Abraham and Laura. Mariel is married to Carlos and lives in Patterson, New Jersey. Abraham is married to Taree and lives in San Francisco, California. Laura is in college at the University of Colorado at Denver.  

EDUCATION
BA in Education from World University in Santo Domingo
DRMA in World Christianity from Denver Seminary
Executive MPA in Public Administration from University of Colorado at Denver