Meet Rev. Hugo Otaola | A Christian member of the Kingdom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rev. Hugo Otaola and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rev. Hugo, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
There was a clear message from GOD to me when I was almost to retire in CA. That clear message was to help elementary rural schools in the north provinces of Argentina. I almost forgot about that message, but when I retired and moved to Colorado, the Lord reminded me that message and moved my heart and mind. That was the push that I needed to start our nonprofit organization.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I studied at the University of La Plata – Buenos Aires – Argentina. My career was Telecommunications Engineer. I also studied at Buenos Aires Baptist Seminary, and completed my degree in Theology at Vision University – Ramona – CA.

I retired from Santa Barbara Social Services – CA as an IT Supervisor. I was a bi-vocational Pastor/Church Planter with CA Southern Baptist Convention and with the Evangelical Covenant Church.

I created another nonprofit organization in Santa Barbara County – CA known as Santa Barbara Community Development Center, helping the underserved community in Isla Vista CA (by UCSB).

With the Evangelical Covenant Church, I went to many training sessions to learn about what type of nonprofit organization we will create. My organization was a member of the President Bush Faith-Based and Community Initiative and they helped us greatly during three years.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am so happy living in CO. I love this State, so there are many places that I will take my best friend, as I already did with many good friends that visited us. I love to show them the “Garden of Gods”. I love showing them the Manitou Spring town. I took some friends to Breckenridge CO, as well as many other places.

I love to take my best friend to Boulder and eat at “Rincon Argentino”. I love to get some coffee with Croissants at the French Bakery on Broadway “Trompeau Bakery + Cafe”.

The a good Italian restaurant “Carrabba’s Italian Grill”

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first recognition goes to Jesus who is my Lord and Savior, then to my wife of almost 50 years, and then to my three children and five grandchildren.

I am so grateful to all my friends that support the idea of serving the underserved.

Website: http://www.d-ar.us/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dar.hotaola/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dar.Argentina.2022/about/