Miguel & Ariana de la Cruz
Pastors Miguel and Ariana de la Cruz are the founders and lead pastors of Dwelling Place Church, where their greatest desire is simple: to help people find a home in the presence of God.
Married for almost 15 years, Miguel and Ariana have built their lives on faith, friendship, and a shared commitment to following wherever God leads. Together, they are raising their two amazing children, Olivia and Kahleb, alongside their two playful poodles.
Miguel was born in Lima, Peru, and Ariana is Puerto Rican and grew up as a military dependent. Having experienced the beauty of different cultures and the unique journey of military life, they share a deep love for not just the entire community in the 757, but also the Hispanic community. Their backgrounds have shaped their passion for building a bilingual church where both English and Spanish speakers can worship together, encounter the presence of God, and know they have a place to belong.
Long before launching Dwelling Place Church, Miguel and Ariana spent more than 20 years faithfully serving the local church in a variety of ministries. Through seasons of growth, challenges, and countless opportunities to serve, God continually shaped their hearts for people. What began as simply saying “yes” to God became a lifelong calling to shepherd His people with humility, authenticity, and compassion.
At home, you will often find them doing one of their favorite things: breaking bread around the table. Hospitality is not just something they practice. It is part of who they are.
Miguel has a shepherd’s heart and a passion for teaching God’s Word in a way that is practical, biblical, and life changing. Ariana loves creating spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and encouraged to take their next step with Jesus. Together, they believe the Church should feel less like an event to attend and more like a family to belong to. At Dwelling Place Church, their heart is to create a bilingual spiritual home where every culture, every generation, and every family can experience the love of Jesus and truly say, “Welcome home.”