In this edition of “Meet Our Planters”, I want to introduce Isai and Sucely Ramos, our planting pastors at Iglesia Amigos Oklahoma City. The model is currently the only church-within-a-church strategy we have on the ground here in EFC=MAYM. The vision for this work began nearly ten years ago and the Ramos family has been in leadership for over seven years. Since the Ramos’ arrived, both Stephanie and Benjamin have joined their family, and also Sucely’s parents and brother Hugo Aldana have joined the team. Pastor Isai and Sucely have worked diligently utilizing every attempt to canvass their community with all types of efforts to minister to people and communicate the Gospel message. They have joined sports leagues of soccer to meet new families and to build relationships. The have also created various ministries in the parks, spoke and served on the radio and television, and also endeavored through other types of outreaches to their community, Both Pastor Isai and Sucely are bi-lingual, and musically talented, as well as other members of Amigos, and have lead in several other events around their city.
Isai and Sucely both grew up in Friends congregations in Guatemala, and Isai completed his seminary education and pastored churches there before receiving their visas and being granted immigration approval to relocate to the United States. Isai began working bi-vocationally from early on in their ministry here in OKC, after moving from a lay position in Philadelphia PA, where they were in leadership as well. During this covid-19 crisis Isai was recently laid off from Hobby Lobby where he had worked full-time while continuing to lead this growing new congregation. I have been especially impressed over these years how well Pastor Isai works with Pastor Nick Shaffer and all the First Friends people, who love and support the Amigos congregation. Your prayers and ongoing financial support for Amigos is so much appreciated. Also I know the family would appreciate your prayers for young Benjamin, aged 5, who recently fell and broke his arm above his elbow requiring surgery and all that follows for his healing. He is a tough young man!
Thanks to the dedicated Partner Church support Team for your work and commitment on behalf of the Ramos family and the Iglesia Amigos OKC congregation. These leaders serve tirelessly, such as Central Oklahoma Area Multiplication and PAT chairman Nick Shaffer and leaders Mike and Bernice Boley and Jared Guyer from First EFC OKC; David Byrne from Friendswood FC; Candy Klump from Kickapoo FC, Darin Kearns from Alva FC; Bobby Garringer from Friends Chapel; Dustin Lampe from Chandler FC and others, Thank You so much!
Randy Littlefield
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