February 1, 2024, Pastor Esteban Salazar accepted the call to lead the newly formed Mission Congregation Iglesia Luterana San Juan Bautista, to be sponsored and hosted by Bethel Lutheran Church. With a passion for spreading the Gospel and being led by the words of Jesus, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 6:37 many are being fed spiritually and physically in the Salazars ministry in Santa Maria and beyond.

Before coming to California Rev. Salazar was a professor of religious studies in Mexico. In 2004 after coming to Bakersfield, California he began work at St. Luke’s Anglican Church and became ordained.His Hispanic ministry made history in Bakersfield by performing the most Sacraments, 60 Confirmations and 90 Baptisms, at one time. He and his wife Angie led the biggest youth group in the area with 69 youth gathering weekly. In 2016, Rev. Esteban Salazar was called to lead the mission start congregation Iglesia Luterana Santa Cruz.