Felipe Arias

Biography

Felipe Arias, a 96′ Psychology graduate from Bryan College and a native of Chile. While at Bryan, Felipe was part of the Bryan Chorale, the traveling singing group Vision, and the Men’s Soccer Team. Arias had a successful collegiate playing career from 1993-96 where he competed on the pitch under the tutelage of renowned Lions’ Coach Sandy Zensen. During his time as a Lion, Arias was selected as a NCCAA All-American First Team member. He was also selected as Team MVP and capped his playing career at Bryan by helping the Lions secure their first-ever NAIA (TVAC) Conference Championship in program history.

In 1997 Felipe enrolled at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida where he obtained his M.A. in Counseling. After graduating from RTS, Felipe and his wife Brigitte moved to Maine where he served as an Assistant Pastor for thirteen years.  Some of Felipe’s roles included: teaching, preaching, counseling and as Director of Music. While in Maine, Felipe was very involved with the community directing youth soccer camps, coaching High School and Club soccer as well as organizing benefit concerts. Also, Felipe performed several times at The Waterville Opera House.  Felipe joined the cast of the renowned Broadway musical “The Lion King” for the Opera “JACK”. Felipe considered these invitations to participate in Musicals/Operas as opportunities to be “salt and light”.

After thirteen years in Maine, Felipe and his family moved to South Texas where he taught and coached at Texas A&M International University, an A&M System School.  While in South Texas, Felipe also served as an Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Laredo.

In 2022, Felipe returned to Bryan College where he has been working with the advancement team as a Grants Facilitator and assisting with the Men’s Soccer Team.  Also, one of the main areas of Felipe’s involvement is coming alongside Bryan’s Spanish student population.  Every semester, Felipe and his wife Brigitte have opened their home on Sunday nights for Bible Study “En Español”.

Felipe and Brigitte have been married for 34 years and have four grown kids: Melanie, Paula, Gabriel and Samuel.