Hi, I’m Inés.
I’m a Jesus follower, pastor, author, Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. My passion is to help Christians develop genuine, mature and resilient faith.
Bio
Pastor | Author | Bible teacher | Speaker | Podcaster
Inés is the founder and President of Trochia Ministries, a Christian discipleship ministry. She also serves as one of the teaching pastors at Mariners Church, where she preaches sermons and writes theology and discipleship courses, and teaches those courses to members of the congregation and through the Rooted Network of churches. She is the author of Uncharted: Navigating Your Unique Journey of Faith and The Image of God: A Holy Design for Human Dignity.
Inés completed a Master of Divinity at Fuller Seminary. She serves on non-profit boards, such as Priority Living, Forum of Christian Business Leaders, and THINQ. Inés and her husband James Franklin own and manage a commercial real estate business, Watercress Holdings LLC. They have a blended family of five children and ten grandchildren (affectionally called the “Franklin Smoothie”) and live in Irvine, California.
Invite Inés
Are you looking for a humble, dynamic, inspired, and educated speaker for your gathering?
Inés has a remarkable story of how God works in our uncharted journey of faith. Your audience will benefit immensely from hearing her speak. She brings a wealth of experience, biblical insight, and humility to the table, with a focus on overcoming obstacles on the faith journey, experiencing freedom from shame, and developing and maintaining a thriving faith.
My Story
My personal testimony can be summarized in one word, redemption.
I was born and grew up in the mountains of Puerto Rico, number six of seven children raised by a single mother. We lived in absolute poverty, the eight of us crammed in a 600-square-foot unfinished house, surviving on social welfare. Despite all this financial hardship and lacking a father, we were relationally blessed. Our huge extended family was a source of encouragement and we never missed an opportunity to bless others with the little we had. Our house was clean, warm, and welcoming; and there was always room at our table for a guest. I love my family and still admire the way we were able to love each other and those around us with the little we had.
My mother moved the younger three of us to California when I was sixteen. We struggled to learn English and find work, but soon we were all wrapped up with living life, each in our own direction. My disconnection from God and lack of community led to me making many decisions that hurt myself and others. In the years to come, I would miss the mark of who I was meant to be in so many ways. Two abortions. Two divorces. An affair with a married man. I was trying to steer my life towards happiness and success using my own understanding and strength, but my efforts to overcome my circumstances seemed to only make matters worse.
It’s amazing what God can do with a life that is surrendered to Him!
Today, I long to share my story with others so that they may see Jesus is trustworthy and can be entrusted with our lives. God has given me the opportunity to walk with, shepherd, and teach others as they pursue the same Jesus that met me at my worst all those years ago. I’m married to the love of my life, Jim, and have a wonderful blended family made up of children and grandchildren, and our sweet black lab, Noelle, is the cherry on top. I used to think reaching a high level of success in the world was the measure of my significance and value. Instead, a life with God at the center, twenty years of marriage to Jim, and a legacy of loving children and grandchildren have taught me that the greatest things we accomplish start in the home and happen one humble action at a time. The Lord has transformed my life in such a way that I am compelled to tell others about Him and his goodness. I’m committed to helping others grow in their faith and live out their kingdom purpose. It is why I’m willing to be transparent and vulnerable in my writing and speaking. I am seeking God and to embrace what he embraces in all circumstances.
Thankfully, we have a loving Creator who pursues us, even to the darkest places. Just when my life was at its lowest point, I was introduced to Jesus.
I gave my life to him and he changed the trajectory of my life. He met me in the midst of my shame and began to heal my heart. I started to understand that I wouldn’t be able to find the joy, purpose, and life I was longing for by my own strength.
Learn more about why I wrote Uncharted and about my heart for those who feel lost on the journey of faith.
Jesus showed me that my identity was firmly secured in him. Through the love and faithfulness of my heavenly Father—and a wonderful, new church family— I learned to live by God’s wisdom, set healthier boundaries with others, and embrace a biblical worldview. Eventually, I started to feel the gentle tug of the Spirit on my heart, calling me to a life not lived for myself, but for the blessing and growth of others.
God’s story
Since God is the one who makes us, the one who sends us, the one who goes with us, the way our journey happens, every detail of it, becomes part of His perfect plan.
Watch the short film of Inés’ God-sized story produced by RUUT Film (ruut.co).
