About us
Pastor Peter Zarate, originally from Hillsboro, Texas, has devoted his life to ministry and service. Born to Pete and Frances Zarate, he and his wife, Claudia, have faithfully served together for many years, helping lead and build the church community they love.
Peter brings a unique blend of pastoral heart, leadership experience, and practical wisdom to his ministry. Before stepping into full-time pastoring, he spent years in the business world, including leadership at Walmart, where he oversaw hundreds of employees. His background, along with his lifelong involvement in ministry, has shaped his approachable and genuine style of leadership
He has served in many areas of ministry, including worship, youth leadership, and co-pastoring, and he has been a full-time pastor since 2008. In 2006, he and Claudia helped establish what is now Risen Church, and since then they have continued serving their community with passion and purpose .
Peter is also a bilingual speaker whose ministry has reached churches and communities beyond Texas, including mission work in Haiti. He and Claudia are proud parents of two children, Peter IV and Sara Nicole, and continue to call Hillsboro home.
Our Pastor
Our Beliefs
The New Heavens and the New Earth
We believe in the promise of the New Heavens and the New Earth, where God will dwell with His people forever and all who have been saved throughout time will live in His presence. This is the glorious hope of every believer — a future where sin, sorrow, pain, and death will be no more, and all things will be made new by the power and grace of God.
In that eternal home, the redeemed of every generation will worship the Lord together in perfect peace, joy, and holiness. We look forward with confidence to the fulfillment of God’s promise, knowing that He is faithful to complete the work He has begun. This hope strengthens us to live faithfully today as we wait for the day when Christ makes all things new.
Revelation 21:1
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”
The Word of God
We believe the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are inspired by God and given as His revelation to humanity. The Word of God is living and powerful, and it is the foundation for what we believe, how we live, and how we grow in our walk with Christ. It teaches us truth, corrects us when we are wrong, and helps shape our hearts and minds according to God’s will.
We believe the Bible is the ultimate authority for faith and conduct. Through it, God speaks to His people, reveals His character, and leads us into salvation, wisdom, and righteousness. As we read and obey the Scriptures, we are equipped to live faithfully and to serve Him with confidence and purpose.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Jesus
We believe Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. He came to reveal the heart of the Father, to give His life for our sins, and to offer salvation to all who believe in Him. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus made a way for humanity to be restored to God and to receive the gift of eternal life.
We believe there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Jesus is our hope, our redeemer, and the center of our faith. He is fully God and fully man, and He continues to reign with power, grace, and authority.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”