Board of directors

Director and Secretary of IELBethelCDC

Martha Ofelia Sandoval is Co-founder of IEL Bethel Community Development Corporation, alongside her husband, Rev. Nelson Sandoval.  Ofelia currently serves as Music Director of a music program sponsored by Evangelical Latin Church (ELC), which serves approximately 100 kids, youth and adults combined. Ofelia began been serving Evangelical Latin Church in 1994 as ELC children´s choir director. Alongside her husband, they have successfully grown a strong music program at the church, comprised of four different music groups that continue to flourish. Ofelia has also taught music for LAUSD since 2005 and is currently Music Director at Montebello Intermediate. Ofelia desires to develop other programs to strengthen and support families in the area of academic and music education, family financial planning and community development. Ofelia believes that these programs are necessary for the growth and well-being of families since she is a product of such opportunities that were provided to her as she was groing up. Ofelia holds a B.A. in Music from UCLA and a M.S. in Education from California Baptist University. Her greatest achievements are being married to Nelson and raising their amazing children.

IELBethelCDC CEO

Nelson Sandoval is the Pastor of Evangelical Latin Church in Los Angeles, CA. He has also worked in the field of communication arts as a Graphic Designer, and he has also worked in the recording industry as a Music Producer for independent Christian Artists. Now he is focusing his vision on blessing our community by providing educational opportunities for every member of the family. In so he hopes to impact K-12 success amongst minority groups and empower the whole family to educate and inform themselves of all the many resources available to better themselves. Rev Nelson leads a transformative church in Echo Park where they serve a diverse growing community. He is married to Martha Sandoval and has three smart and beautiful boys.

IELBethelCDC  Treasurer

Advocate for improving the many financial, social, and spiritual needs of the community.

Jimmy Arriaga is from Los Angeles and has his roots firmly grounded in the city and it’s surrounding areas. He Studied both Economics and English at Cal State Northridge, and is in the process of receiving a secondary bachelors in Theology from the Latin American Theological Seminary. Jimmy is passionate about education and is looking to pursue his masters in Finance or Divinity in the years to come. He has been in the banking industry for over 20 years & has held many positions during this time. While in the banking industry, he has had the opportunity to work alongside many leaders that deal specifically with the needs of the community. As a devout Christian, husband and father of Two boys Jimmy balances both family and work life well. He is an active member of Iglesia Evangélica Latina & assists the church in whatever need it may have. He volunteers in the churches fundraising committee, which year round prepares events to raise funds for the needs of various ministries in the church.

IELBethelCDC Board Member

Has a desire to teach in various areas with an emphasis in Christian spiritual growth while also helping the community understand all the various outreach opportunities that may be available to them and their families. Jessica is currently studying for her bachelor in theology at the Latin American Theological Seminary (LATS) with an anticipated graduation in early 2018. She is Pre-enrolled at the Pasedena Fuller Theological Seminary, with the desire to start her pursuit of a Masters in Divinity (MDiv). Recently she has begun to network with various educational institutions such as PIQE that assist parents in building a solid foundation for higher education  for their children. She has been a member at Iglesia Evangelica Latina since 2004, where she volunteers as a Sunday school teacher for both children and Adults. She is also involved in helping the church fundraising committee with preparing events year round to raise funds for various church needs.  She is a loving wife and mother of 2 boys.

IELBethelCDC Board Advisor  

Raised by 2 school teacher parents, Stan Gerlach has a diverse business and ministry background.  For 37 years he has worked with CBRE, Inc. the largest commercial real estate company in the world as a commercial real estate broker.   Stan served over 20 years with the Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles on their Board of Directors. He also was chairman of the URM Foundation and served on both the Elder and Deacon Boards of Calvary Church of Pacific Palisades.  Stan has been blessed to be part of several mission trips to Mexico and Central America as a speaker to college students, business leaders and others with a heart for evangelism.  He and his wife, Linda have 3 grown son’s and have been married for 33 years.