Nacho & Merrilee Barrera
Youth Pastors
Nacho & Merrilee are the Petra Youth Pastors and oversee high school ministries.
Nacho and Merrilee serve as Youth Pastors at Petra Church, where they lead and disciple students through the High School Ministry while also providing oversight to the Petra Youth team and its volunteers. They are passionate about helping students grow in their faith, hear God’s voice, and step confidently into the calling He has for their lives.
Prior to serving at Petra Church, Nacho and Merrilee were missionaries with the Hopewell Network, ministering to an unreached people group in Thailand. During their time there, they helped plant a church and continue to serve as non-resident missionaries by coaching and supporting the church’s leaders.
Nacho grew up in Guatemala and has a heart for mentoring and equipping the next generation. Merrilee loves walking alongside students, hearing their hearts, and leading them to the truth of God’s Word. Together, they desire to see a generation of young people awakened to the presence of God and boldly living out their faith.
Nacho and Merrilee were married in 2008 and have five children. As a family, they enjoy spending time together, exploring new places, and building meaningful relationships within the church community.