Ministry Focus
Raymond Ramos has launched a church-planting movement in New York City. Appointed by Missions Door just days before the 9/11 attack, he already planted Lighthouse Community Church in Brooklyn and had plans for several other congregations on the drawing board. Raymond loves Jesus, and God has given him a big vision for planting many churches throughout the city. He exhibits extraordinary gifts of evangelism and disciple making.
Faith Story
By the age of 17, Raymond Ramos had been arrested multiple times, had several convictions, and his life was ravaged by a severe crack cocaine addiction. After being born again in 1990, the Lord delivered him in February 1991 from his addiction. In 1997, Raymond started to answer the call of God upon his life.
He attended Brooklyn Tabernacle and stayed there for some time, but felt God guiding him to another congregation called Victory Outreach. At Victory Outreach he served on the ministerial staff and was influential and active in the youth ministry.
He also helped launch a satellite church in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, where he eventually oversaw all phases of the ministry, from nursery to evangelizing on the streets, to preaching the Word of God on Sunday mornings.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Raymond and Valerie by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
City
Ministry location:
New York, United States