Meet the Residents | 2023-2024 Foundational Residency
Carlos Azurmendi
My name's Carlos Azurmendi and I'm 23 years old. I became very zealous for Christ shortly after I was saved in September of 2021, and ever since then I've had a calling for ministry. I started getting involved at my home church, Mosaic, in Winter Garden and through some connections God blessed me with, I found out about the OCPN Residency and immediately signed up. I am here to demonstrate God's love for people through authentic loving and pouring into his people constantly. I hope to bring Jesus' light into the world and share the gospel in meaningful and impactful ways. I aspire to be a good and faithful servant of the Lord.
Cesar Contreras
Cesar is a New York City native, who seven years ago, God plucked and placed in the “City Beautiful”. Heavy emphasis on the “plucked” because Florida was the last place Cesar thought he’d end up. Since moving to Orlando, Cesar has attended Mosaic Church and has served the local church in various capacities. While working at Mosaic, Cesar earned a Master’s in Counseling and is currently working towards finishing his Master’s in Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. Over the last 3 years, Cesar has been serving as the Young Adult’s Pastor at Mosaic. He loves shepherding Young Adults and helping them love Jesus as they discover their identity and purpose within the Kingdom of God. He also enjoys creating a culture and space that invites people into encountering the loving presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Cesar and his wife Rachel have been married for a little over 2 years and are a perfect blend of Northern grit meets Southern hospitality. They enjoy opening their home to young adults and really anyone else so that people could experience joy and a sense of belonging. They’re always down for a game night and if you’re willing to put up with Cesar, you can join them as they watch English Premier League Soccer on Saturday mornings.
At the end of the day, the most important thing that Cesar desires is to love, trust, and follower Jesus, and help others do the same.
Brandon Romero
My name is Brandon Romero and I am currently a part of OCPN's foundational residency program. I was born in Brooklyn, New York, but spent most of my life growing up in Orlando, Florida. Although my family was church-going, it wasn't until I was in high school that I truly came to faith.
Currently, I am working as a Pastoral Intern at CrossPointe Church. Since September 2021, I have had the great pleasure of being on staff there. Next year, I will start a new chapter in my ministry journey as a pastoral resident at New City Fellowship, which is a vibrant new church plant in the Hunter Creek area. My ultimate dream is to plant a church in Poinciana, to see that area reached for Christ.
I'm also excited to share that I am engaged to my wonderful fiancé, Adaliz Bracero. We are eagerly anticipating beginning our married journey together in November of next year. I am grateful for all of the exciting opportunities ahead of me, and I look forward to seeing how the Lord leads.
Austin Darrow
I am 25, born and raised in Sanford FL and am married to Alicia Darrow with a 2 year old daughter August as well as a baby girl on the way named Isla. I am a musician and a tech nerd. We feel God has called us back to Sanford to plant a church with a focus on the gospel and how it informs our community with a mission of bringing back the dechurched of our city to church and spreading the gospel into the unreached and forgotten communities.
Jean St. Jean
My name is Jean, but I also go by the nickname Jeano. I am married to my beautiful wife Ladeen, and we've been happily married for the past 5 years. We have two handsome boys named Kaleb (3) and Kaden (1). I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA in Health Services Administration. For some time, I owned my own Companion Care/Staffing agency, which catered to the elderly and disabled population in the Central Florida region. Presently, I serve as a Board of Directors for a non-profit that raises funds for other nonprofits in Central Florida. I am currently completing my Master of Theological Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Kansas. In my leisure time, I enjoy sports such as basketball, boxing, and fishing.