Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)
Pastor at Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina in Stockton and Saron Lutheran Church in Escalon
Longtime advocate for Valley immigrant communities
WASHINGTON – Ahead of the 2026 State of the Union next week, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced Reverend Nelson Rabell-González, a local pastor and immigrant advocate, as his guest for the annual joint address to Congress. A Puerto-Rican native, Rev. Rabell-González serves both Spanish- and English-speaking congregations and has been a community leader in the Valley for years, especially amid recent attacks on immigrant communities.
“Here in the Valley, we’re incredibly proud of our immigrant communities, and we’re made stronger by their accomplishments and contributions. Despite recent attacks on our neighbors, our community has remained united around protecting Valley families, and Rev. Rabell-González has been at the center of those efforts,” said Rep. Harder. “As a faith leader in the Valley for years, Rev. Rabell-González has been a trusted partner and source of warmth and acceptance during these chaotic times – I’m incredibly honored to have him as my guest and to bring these stories to Washington as we work to rein in these out of control attacks.”
“Our congregations and our communities will always stand up for our immigrant neighbors because Christ was also an immigrant,” said Rev. Rabell-González. “Just as churches should be a sanctuary where anybody can come without fear, Valley communities deserve to be free from these attacks, and I’m grateful for Rep. Harder’s work to hold them accountable. I’m excited to join Rep. Harder at the 2026 State of the Union and make it clear to Washington that fear will not beat us.”
Rev. Rabell-González serves as pastor at Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina in Stockton and Saron Lutheran Church in Escalon. He is a graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Rev. Rabell-González is married to Dr. Fabiola Ramos and has two young adult children.
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