Susan Holden, Pastor

Susan Holden is appointed as a provisional elder to serve as  Pastor at University United Methodist Church in Las Vegas and Campus Minister at UNLV. Susan grew up near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where she enjoyed softball, biking, swimming, cheerleading, and exploring outdoors. In college she studied dance, physical education, and occupational therapy at the University of Tennessee and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She is currently working on her Master of Divinity at Claremont School of Theology. Susan is married and has three children, who are now young adults.  


The Holden family moved to Las Vegas in 1999 and immediately connected with the congregation at Trinity UMC. In 2007, while quite content to teach children's Sunday School at Trinity Susan was surprised when she felt a call to be a part of a new church planting team in Northwest Las Vegas. The call was a surprise, because even though she loved helping children to actively learn the stories in the Bible, she was extremely fearful to share the gospel with adults. "I was so afraid, I couldn’t even scrape up the courage to invite people to church. I wouldn't even ask friends to come for a Christmas pageant that stared my own cute kids! " First and foremost, being on a church planting team requires one to invite people to experience Christian community.  


As a part of the church planting experience, Susan began to enjoy natural conversation with people outside the church, and she discovered that sharing the good news of the gospel is as much about compassionate listening as it is about having a scripted answer for questions about God, Jesus, or the Trinity. “Most people are at least curious, and they often get excited when they are given a chance to be a part of something meaningful, short term, helpful to others, and brand new.” Susan also found spiritual renewal in the practices of mutual accountability in spiritual disciplines, genuine small group community, and intentional relationship building with the unchurched. “These are the foundations of our faith that can get easily get shoved under the pews over time. These are the vital elements of Church that are often forgotten, and I was thrilled to rediscover them.”


Although the new church plant, called Daybreak, was later closed, Susan realized that she needed to explore a call to ordained ministry and began the candidacy process toward ordination as an elder.


In her leisure time, Susan enjoys being outdoors, running, biking and hiking when she can, She also enjoys music, theatre, and the beach. And most of all, she enjoys meeting new people and having a cup of coffee with friends and strangers alike.

Faustino Solis, Traditional Music Director

Faustino Solis has served as the Choir Director of Traditional Worship at University UMC since October 2013. His responsibilities include directing the Chancel Choir as well as collaborate with the Church Organist, Handbell Director, and Children’s Choir Director. The ensembles of University UMC work and perform to enhance the worship experience in everyday Traditional Worship services and in the Christmas and Easter liturgical seasons.


Most recently, Faustino was a guest conductor of the AIMS Spirituals Ensemble in Graz, Austria and the 2014 ACDA Western Division Conducting Masterclass in Santa Barbara, CA. He debuted as Brighella in UNLV Opera Theatre’s production of Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss. He has also composed and premiered choral works with the UNLV Chamber Chorale and the Las Vegas Master Singers.


He is currently pursuing a BM Music Education and Vocal Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition to serving at University UMC, Faustino is also a freelance tenor, conductor, and composer. Performance and conducting credits also include Nevada Opera Theatre, RagTag Entertainment, Voccalis International Singing Repertory Company, Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society, and the East Carolina University Chamber Singers. Additional studies include Druid City Opera Workshop in Tuscaloosa, AL, the Eastman School of Music, and the American Institute for Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria. Faustino is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).


Faustino can be reached for any music ministry questions at choir@universityumc.org.