Fresno Pacific University's new president, Pete C. Menjares, has been busy getting to know students, faculty members, employees and the community since he began his duties July 28.

Menjares, who is Fresno Pacific's 11th president, succeeded D. Merrill Ewert, who was president from 2002-12.

He is combining a personal faith, pastoral heart and passion for peace and justice while at Fresno Pacific. The Bee recently caught up with him to learn more about his role now that he's been on the job for more than six months.

Question: What are your impressions of this community?

Answer: The first impression my wife, Virginia, and I got of our new home came from the warmth and welcome we felt from the residents everywhere we've gone in the Central Valley. Of all the wonderful natural resources we have access to -- the mountains, the Central Coast, the bounty of our farm land -- the people are by far the most important.

These people give the community a rich diversity that expresses itself in so many ways that enrich us all: food, cultural events, art and music are all alive and well in and around Fresno and continue to be a joy as we discover them.

What community organizations have you gotten involved in -- and why?

I have joined the Downtown Rotary Club and Fresno Compact and have had been involved with No Name Fellowship, the Fresno Business Council and Christian Business Men's Connection. Each of these organizations includes an important segment of Fresno -- business, education and the churches. What excites me about all these groups is their devotion to building a community for the benefit of all.

How have you and Virginia adjusted to the Valley's slower pace?

As president of Fresno Pacific University, I have not really noticed a slower pace in my life! I do appreciate, though, that people in this area take the time to talk, to listen and get to know others. I don't spend nearly as much time in my L.A. "game face," and it's very refreshing.

Do you have a better feel of the mission of Fresno Pacific and what might that be?

The mission is clear: "Fresno Pacific University develops students for leadership and service through excellence in Christian higher education." My role as president is to lead the efforts of the administration, board, faculty and staff to carry that mission forward and find new ways to apply it in the future. It's an exciting thought.

What is the spiritual state of Fresno Pacific?

We are unashamedly Christian. We believe that knowledge, maturity and wisdom come from God and that academic pursuits can only be understood as part of a loving God's purposes.

FPU is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren churches, part of the Anabaptist tradition, and reflects that tradition's concern with service, justice and Christian discipleship. The administration, faculty and staff are all professing Christians from many denominations who bring their faith to work to mentor students no matter what their professional role.

Our students, who are not required to be of any faith, are expected to follow certain behavioral expectations, but they also enjoy the advantages of a Christ-centered community.

How are you different than previous presidents?

As the first Hispanic president of Fresno Pacific, with personal experience in the Roman Catholic, Assemblies of God, American Baptist, Foursquare and -- now -- Mennonite Brethren faiths, I believe I bring unique perspective to my role.

As for myself, I am a visionary president with a pastor's heart. I want to guide and support the many talented and committed people serving FPU. I want to dream with them about what the future could hold and how we could better educate our students. I want to collaborate with them on making that future possible, and I want to lead them toward that new reality in a manner that maximizes their full potential.