To shine the Light of Jesus Christ in the local and global community for God's Glory.

Pastor Lucas Bonates has been the Associate Pastor of First UMC of Coral Gables since 2019. While there, he has served as youth leader; director of Hispanic ministries; and leader of Experiment Church, the contemporary worship experience. Concurrent to his appointment at First Coral Gables, Pastor Lucas led weekly worship for a church plant of First UMC of Miami for its Brazilian congregation.

In March 2023, Pastor Lucas was voted to the Board of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Hispanic-Latino Caucus. He was part of the FLUMC Leadership Academy; invested in Fresh Expressions training; and served in the Racial Reconciliation Mission at First Coral Gables. Pastor Lucas speaks fluent English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Pastor Lucas is a graduate of Asbury Seminary, where he was a member of the Student Leadership Council for two years. He created a seminar called “Discerning the Call,” and helped found the first racial reconciliation event at Asbury.

Pastor Lucas is passionate about music, social justice, and hospitality. He loves spending time with his wife, Thaís, and his 6-year-old daughter, Luna. He believes the church is a place of transformation, on the individual level as well as on the collective, and that transformation happens when we allow God’s love and grace to guide us.

Rev. Lucas Bonates

Coming to Cokesbury UMC

in July, 2023