Robert Vivar

Resurrection, Ocean Beach

Nominee’s Bio: Robert Vivar was born in Tijuana, Mexico, on June 17, 1956—the first child ever born in an ambulance in the city. Raised Catholic in Corona, California, he enjoyed a vibrant childhood of sports and service, later achieving his dream career in the airline industry, where he rose from ticket agent to Regional Director over 15 years with Aeroméxico and Taesa Airlines. He is blessed with two children and six grandchildren.

Life took a difficult turn when legal challenges led to the loss of his residency and deportation to Mexico, separating him from his family. Yet this hardship became a turning point, leading him back to Christ and to a life of service.

Since then, Robert has dedicated himself to supporting deported veterans, separated families, and vulnerable migrants. He serves with Via International, coordinating student and faith-based immersion trips, and with the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego as Immigration and Border Missioner, guiding congregations on border and migration issues. He also helped establish Comunidad de Luz, a Tijuana shelter empowering migrant women and children toward self-reliance.

Robert volunteers with the Border Church and advocates for public access to Friendship Park, a historic cross-border meeting place. In 2021, after his conviction was vacated on recommendation of the California Supreme Court, his legal residency was restored, allowing him to reunite with his family on Veterans Day.

He also serves as Executive Director of the Unified U.S. Deported Veterans Resource Center and holds leadership roles with multiple organizations advocating for justice, dignity, and human rights.

Nominee’s Statement in Favor of Their Candidacy: My name is Robert Vivar, and I am honored to offer myself as a candidate for election as a Delegate to our Episcopal Church Convention.

I was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and raised in Corona, California. My life has been marked by both blessings and challenges, including a season of separation from my family that God transformed into a call to service. Through that experience, I came to know more deeply Christ’s power of redemption and the importance of community.

Today, I serve as Immigration and Border Missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and as Executive Director of the Unified U.S. Deported Veterans Resource Center. In these roles, I work to support separated families, vulnerable migrants, and veterans, while helping congregations engage faithfully with issues of justice and reconciliation at the border. I also helped establish Comunidad de Luz, a shelter for migrant women and children in Tijuana, and continue to serve with Via International, the Border Church, and other community organizations.

As a delegate, I would bring this lived experience, along with a deep commitment to the Gospel call to love, justice, and hospitality. It would be a privilege to listen, discern, and contribute on behalf of our church community, ensuring that the voices of the marginalized are heard and that our common life reflects Christ’s reconciling love.

I respectfully ask for your support and your prayers.