Meet the Team

  • Koren Ruiz

    DIRECTOR, HISPANIC INITIATIVES

    Composer, choir director and liturgical presenter, Koren Ruiz believes that music is the best evangelical tool given to us. With a passion for service and stewardship, Koren has embodied that belief through more than 15 years of music ministry and composition.

    Often ministering alongside his wife and essential partner in ministry, Jessica Ruiz, Koren leads parishes across the nation in concerts, liturgical prayer events, formational events and workshops on Christian stewardship, and guitar-centered skill building workshops like “Guitar Rhythms” and “The Guitar Player in the Liturgical Setting.” Koren and Jessica have two albums published with OCP: Tú Me Sostendrás, released in 2014, and Tu Amor Es Fiel, released in 2019, as well as songs in OCP’s Spanish-language contemporary collections. Koren has also participated in the OCP Instituto event series.

    Koren holds a bachelor of business administration and a bachelor of organizational psychology from Western Oregon University. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Portland.

    When he is not traveling, he serves the community of Ascension Parish in Portland, Oregon, as choir director. He is also president and founder of Corresponsables de Dios, a consulting organization which promotes the concept of stewardship of the Church's mission through various programs, conferences and Catholic music.

  • Oscar Castellanos

    BILINGUAL PROGRAMS AND HISPANIC INITIATIVES MANAGER

    Oscar Castellanos joined OCP as the Bilingual Programs and Hispanic Initiatives Manager.  Oscar will be assisting the Center for Learning team in managing our Spanish and Bilingual formational programs. 

    Oscar is fully bilingual/bicultural (English & Spanish), and comes with excellent experience in program management, public speaking, teaching, and pastoral ministry with Hispanic communities.  He possesses a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy & Religious Studies, as well a master’s degree in Theology from Mt. Angel Seminary. Oscar also studied theology at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA and the University of Notre Dame, IN as part of the Master of Divinity program. He is about to complete his doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership with Marian University, IN. 

    Outside of OCP, Oscar loves spending time with his family; especially his 3 children: Santi, Miranda, and Febe.  He also loves walking his dogs and refereeing high school soccer.

FAQs

Does my parish need to use OCP products to participate in the Center for Learning?

No! The Center’s mission is educative, not commercial. As such, there is no requirement that participants use products published by OCP and the Center’s programs will not be used as marketing opportunities.

Do I have to be a musician?

No! The Center for Learning isn’t just for musicians or liturgists. Along with music directors and liturgical ministers, we work with pastors, deacons, youth ministers, parish leaders and staff, diocesan leaders and staff, Catholic school leaders and staff, and more.

Does the Center for Learning offer any Spanish-language or bilingual resources?

Yes! The Center for Learning helps administrate Instituto OCP and OCP Workshop Series, Spanish-language events which offer liturgical formation and training for Hispanic pastoral musicians all across the United States. And we hope to expand our Spanish-language and bilingual offerings soon, including the addition of Spanish-language ministry coaching and more.