MONDAY MENTION
Ernesto Anguiera, ‘19 Ernesto Angueira began at Southeastern University in 2014, studying for a degree in International Business. He completed his degree and graduated in the Class of 2019. After graduation, Ernesto shared that he joined UBS Financial Services Inc. and “has by the grace and goodness of God, become a Financial Advisor.” He now represents one of the largest global wealth management firms and plans to start his journey towards getting his CFP in March 2021. Ernesto married Elizabeth Angueira, “the love of his life that he met when he was eight years old.” Elizabeth also earned her bachelor’s degree at SEU while also being the president of Psi Chi. She now works for Noom as a health coach while also earning her master’s degree. They do not have any kids currently, but they did get a standard poodle from Long Island, NY. Together they named him Appa the Titan based on a character from one of their favorite childhood shows - Avatar the last Airbender. Ernesto and his wife attended Hillsong Church in Manhattan and Time Square Church on Broadway for some time. However, due to the lockdown, they often watch Grace City and Lakewood Church. Ernesto enjoys ministering on Facebook as an additional route to bring glory to Jesus. He shared his story with us and how the doctor told his family he would be born low-functioning. However, “he miraculously is living proof that the word of God is alive and is not just doctrine but changing life as we know it in daily reality.” As Ernesto tells it, “The Lord used His word to resurrect my mind. Now I live to represent Him as He put me in Wall Street, a place doctors said would never be possible.” When asked how Southeastern prepared him, he said three things. First off, Ernesto shared that playing baseball helped him learn the value of pushing in life, even when he was tired. Secondly, he is thankful to his role model in his life, Dr. Bowlin, for pushing him and believing in Him. Dr. Bowlin made him feel
like he could be great and God could work through him in his financial advising. “Dr. Bowlin is truly the greatest Finance Professor I ever met. I constantly think of him and wish I could see him and speak to him again.” He also told stories of his relationship with Dr. Davis, another inspiration in his life. At a point in time, Ernesto was considering dropping his finance major. Dr. Davis gave him guidance as to why he shouldn’t. God used Dr. Davis to teach him how to see God in a real and new way. “He is one of the most intelligent, humble, and loving professors I ever met.” Some of Ernesto’s favorite memories were in classes with Dr. Bowlin. He would always read the Wall Street Journal beforehand, allowing him to participate and challenge him in the classroom. He also remembers a time sitting down for lunch with Dr. Davis, “it was in that 30-minute lunch that he gave me godly counsel that kept me in finance and enabled me to become the Financial Advisor I now am.” He additionally loved his experience playing baseball and enjoyed many great moments with teammates. Lastly, we asked Ernesto how he is involved in the ministry. His response was God speaking to Him and saying, “if you will speak for me, I will speak for you.” He heard this while running by the Hudson River, across from midtown and Times Square, and that moment changed him forever. Ernesto enjoys spending time in prayer, the word, and listening to teachings. The Lord gives inspiration and pushes Ernesto to speak on what God is teaching him, with hopes of changing other’s lives. “I want people to not believe in Jesus and have Christianity, but rather, I want them to have an encounter with the real, living, and breathing Jesus. The Jesus that set us free from sin, guilt, shame, and hell itself.” Ernesto wants people to see the reality that God has amazing plans for their lives. If they choose to believe in Him, He will take them further than they ever thought possible.