The Daniel F. Romero Center for Contextual Change
The Daniel F. Romero Center for Contextual Change was established on December 15, 2007, to honor Daniel F. Romero, M.Div., J.D., a former general secretary of the United Church Board for World Ministries (now Wider Church Ministries), who retired after 37 years in ministry, including 27 years in Southern California — Nevada as a local church pastor, Associate Conference Minister and Conference Minister. Romero, a UCC-related Pacific School of Religion and Loyola Law School graduate, has long been regarded as a leader in pluralistic ministry, global partnerships, and Latino ministry.
Strategically positioned just 1.3 miles from the San Ysidro Port of Entry, Centro Romero is a beacon of hope and change in the southwestern border region. It occupies a space in what used to be a church building, fondly referred to by the locals as 'La Iglesita' (Little Church), in San Ysidro.
Centro Romero is committed to a holistic approach in the borderlands. We extend our reach to communities on both sides of the border, offering a range of programs and services tailored to address the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of our fellow brothers and sisters in the United States and Mexico. In addition, we host weekly seeker-sensitive study and support groups. Our mission is to foster a sense of community and empower individuals through intentional periods of reflection, followed by actionable steps that are solidified through leadership development and the deployment of volunteers as agents of change and justice. We welcome visitors from near and far to engage in social and theological reflection with our local community members and volunteers, providing a unique platform for personal growth and transformation.
As we approach our 20th anniversary in 2027, we are already enthusiastically looking for a much brighter and more impactful future, a testament to many friends and volunteers' hard work, dedication, and loyalty. We hope you'll consider coming and celebrating our history of service and transformation with us.
Meet our Director
Carlos J. Correa Bernier, PhD
Dr. Correa Bernier arrived at the U.S. southwestern border for the first time in June 1985 as part of a research team working on the correlation between heavy metal contamination in the bloodstream of Spanish-speaking men and the development and maintenance of violent behaviors. Since then, the border has become part of his professional life.
In 2007, he established what is known today as the Danel F. Romero Center for Contextual Change. He is the programmatic architect of all the active programs at Centro Romero. Under his leadership, Centro Romer has exceeded all expectations established at the beginning of the project.
Dr. Correa Bernier's academic journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion. His extensive qualifications, including a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), a Master of Family Therapy (M.S.), a doctorate in counseling psychology specializing in violent behavior treatment, and a second doctorate in psychology of religion, have significantly shaped his professional life. His most recent publications, such as Toward a Latin American Psychology of Religion, Hombres escurridizos, ¿Por qué huyen los hombres de las relaciones significativas? y Dios también usa a los débiles further demonstrates his ongoing commitment to his field.
In the theological realm, Dr. Correa Bernier is deeply influenced by Latin American liberation theology principles (Leonardo Boff) and the methodology of the pedagogy of the oppressed, as developed by Paulo Freire. Dr. Correa Bernier's belief that liberation extends to all forms of oppression. He states: "Liberation, in our case theological, recognizes the historical strength of the poor when they begin to become aware that their poverty is not natural nor willed by God, but rather a consequence of exploitative social and political forces to enrich the few." This belief forms the basis of the Romero Center's mission: to promote awareness of this fact and encourage the development of a collective community that can trigger social changes capable of combating injustice, oppression, and inequality.
.
Rev. Daniel F. Romero, J.D.
We envision an inclusive and hospitable community rooted in justice, liberation, and holistic health in which all people can live with dignity and exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination.
