The Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy has named Pavel Urruchi as Churchill Downs's new chaplain, the track said in a release Wednesday morning.
Originally from Lima, Peru, Urruchi has a B.A. in Religion, an M.A. in Divinity, and he is working on a Ph.D. in Applied Theology. Bilingual in Spanish and English, the new chaplain has served for the past five years at Turfway and Belterra Parks.
“I am excited that Pavel has accepted this position, and I can assure you he is eager to build on the momentum of human connections already underway at CDRT alongside Women's Ministry Director Melanie Case, Children's Ministry Director Erica Williamson, and Ministry Coordinator Drew Lindman,” said Rich Gimmel, Director of Ministry Staff. “We are truly blessed to have Chaplain Pavel on our team, and we're excited to see his energy and his love for our Lord and His people brought to our Churchill Downs ministry.”
Chaplain Urruchi will be responsible for developing relationships with everyone in the backside community from the workers in the barns and on the track as well as the various organizations located there serving the racing community.
“Primarily, I am here to show them God's love in tangible ways,” said Urruchi, who is married with two kids. “In the end, I want everyone to experience the love of God, be transformed by Him and find a family to belong.”
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