The Reverend Pamela Rivera was born in Austin, Texas on May 17. She received her early education in the Austin Independent School District. Reverend Rivera earned an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement from the Austin Community College in 2003, graduated from Concordia University at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Business in May 2006, and is currently enrolled in Truett Theological Seminary pursuing a Master's of Divinity.

Reverend Rivera was ordained an Itinerated Elder in October 1995. She began her pastoral journey in November 1998 with her first pastoral appointment to St. Mathews African Methodist Episcopal Church, Burnet, TX. In December 2000, Reverend Rivera was appointed the Pastor of Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rockdale, TX.

Reverend Rivera was the first female to Pastor Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church. Under her administration the membership grew and participated in various community events. In October 2002, Allen was the first church within the City to be chosen as the Yard of the Month. In December 2002, Allen was awarded first place in the church category for the Christmas season. Under Reverend Rivera’s guidance various ministries were birth and renewed: dance ministries (Allen Anointed Angles [AAA] and the Refined Women of Allen), men and women’s ministry, media ministry, greeters’ ministry and several others. In March 2005, Reverend Rivera began a project to liquidate the church mortgage, that project ended prematurely with the appointment to a new assignment. In June 2005, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram appointed Reverend Pamela Rivera the Pastor of Saint Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, Waco, TX. Reverend Rivera was the first female to Pastor Saint Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Reverend Rivera serves as the President of the Tenth Episcopal District, Women In Ministry and she was nominated as the Chaplin to the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the 2005 Bishop's Council and General Board Meeting. Reverend Rivera is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Rev. Rivera is the manager of the recording gospel singing group, Spirit, Truth & and, Praise (STP); Rev. Rivera has served as the Vice-President of the Austin Chapter Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), and a graduate of the American Public Transportation Association Leadership APTA Program, Class of 2005 (this national program only allows 25 public transportation professionals to participate annually).

In September 2009, Reverend Rivera was honored by one on her professors from Truett Theological Seminary, Dr. Joel Gregory to participate as a contributor in a book entitled, "What White Folks Can Learn From Black Churches"; The book is scheduled to come out in May 2010.

Reverend Rivera was an employee of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority for 19 years and retired December 2, 2005 to enter into full-time ministry.

Reverend Rivera is the mother of three wonderful children Natasha, Vondell, and Markia. She is also the grandmother of 6 beautiful granddaughters and 2 handsome grandsons and 1 very special great-grandson.