Meet Our Team

Rev. wilson ryland

Founder | President

Wil is a husband, father, Christian thought leader and mentor.

Wil has been in ministry for 24 years. He’s been a youth pastor, associate pastor, and church planter. He’s also taught at the university level since 2014. He holds an MDiv. and is close to completing his PhD. in Theology. His research helps Shema mine the riches of the Christian past and find innovative ways to apply them to the unique challenges of our times. He is a guide for deep faith in challenging and uncertain times, who helps people find healing at the source instead of merely treating symptoms. He has a special heart for helping pastors and future church leaders know more fully who they are in Christ and find their unique way of sharing their gifts with the world.

rev. kevin portillo

director of Teaching & Mentorship

Kevin is a husband, pastor, professor, and university chaplain. His vocation is to be a priest who mediates the presence of Christ through Word & Sacrament. He loves preaching the Word, teaching classes, and mentoring people. He received a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with a concentration in Christian Theology from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 2018.

He is married to Dayna Portillo, and they have a long-haired miniature dachshund named, Ruby.