Words of Life in Peru
The seed of a new Bible-teaching church in the city of Pucallpa, Peru, began with Enzo and Amelia Ramirez. These earliest days of Words of Life Church include more than 12 men and women who meet in a house every Sunday.
We’re grateful to the Lord for allowing us to serve him in this way, said Enzo. We’ve wanted to dedicate our lives to serving the Lord in His church.
Enzo, with the partnership and encouragement of his wife, Amelia, first shared the vision for a Pucallpa church plant in April. That’s when they met with a visiting missions team from FiveStone Churches. Enzo and Amelia are nurturing the new church by teaching the Scriptures, prayer and building relationships.
Bible-teaching churches face many challenges in Peru. The Peruvian government officially recognizes the Roman Catholic Church and, according to Operation World, dominates Peruvian religious practice. Although 95.5 percent of Peruvians claim some form of Christian belief, approximately 25 percent meld animism and witchcraft into their religious practices.
We’re teaching our people from the start, from the clear teachings of the Bible, said Enzo. Christianity is not about systems or rites, but about a relationship with a real and living God. He is full of love, goodness and mercy.
The new church is the second church in Pucallpa to partner with FiveStone Churches. The first partner in Pucallpa was Oasis of Life. That church is participating in the new church. In addition to working to plant the new church, Enzo serves as a teaching elder at Oasis of Life. He will continue serving as an elder at Oasis of Life for several months while he gradually moves into full-time focus on the church plant. Oasis of Life Pastor Pastor Carlos Torres and the church’s elder board support the new work.
Pucallpa is a city of approximately 250,000 in eastern Peru. It is located on the banks of the Ucayali River, a major tributary of the Amazon River.
In addition to his work in the two churches, Enzo teaches adults at a Bible Institute in Pucallpa. After FiveStone Churches committed to provide significant financial and shepherding support for Words of Life, Enzo left a school-teaching position to commit the bulk of his time to church planting . Even as he shepherds Words of Life, Enzo is pursuing a master’s degree in theology. Amelia is devoted to the new church as well as caring for Enzo and their three young children: Luhana, Gracia Amelia, and Matthias.
