Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Luz y Vida

Ambassadors We’re Learning from This Summer (Part 2)

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by Brendan Sagastume

Editor’s Note: This summer, nine young adult Ambassadors are serving in congregations and ministries across Mosaic Conference. This article highlights three of these Ambassadors, and in the coming weeks, you will be introduced to the other Ambassadors. 

Calvin Wilder, 25, has been working in the Ambassador program with Midian Leadership Project. This summer some of his work included, coaching basketball, training and mentoring both kids and adults, assisting with Bible studies, and more.  

Wilder says that one takeaway from this summer is to “stay locked in.” Especially when working with others, it is easy to lose sight on what your goals are, and the reason why are you doing that work. To complete the work to the best of your ability and to continue to be accountable, you must stay focused. 

He was eager to join this program as it helped him continue his journey of giving back and leading people to the right paths, all while surrounding himself around others who are on the same mission as him. He is very grateful for the opportunity to meet people from many different places with many different backgrounds, but all share a common goal to spread the Word of God. 

Isaac Ramirez, 23, is a member of Luz y Vida Mennonite Church. Throughout his time in the Ambassador program, he has gained an understanding of what it means to be a true leader in addition to starting his ministry in worship.  

Something that he has felt God putting on his heart is that He requires us to not only give our all but be our best that we possibly can be when serving Him. Especially when serving in front of others, he has felt the importance of working his hardest, “to remain as pure as possible for His glory.” 

As someone who has been called to be a pastor, he felt that his program would give valuable insight and experience as to what goes on behind the scenes at his church. He is excited to use everything learned this summer to continue serving at Luz y Vida while studying to get his associate’s degree. 

Josh on the right.

Josh De La Rosa, 17, is a member of Luz y Vida Mennonite Church. Some of his bigger projects through the Ambassador program have included leading the youth through youth camp and other events. In addition to that, he has served on the worship team and assisted with the sound system.  

A lesson he learned throughout his experiences this summer was that things will not always go the way you intend them to and not be discouraged by that. De La Rosa says, “it’s easy to give up when you feel like nothing you do is working, but if it’s for God’s glory there’s always value in your actions” 

When he first saw this program, he immediately saw the value that it can provide as he can connect and learn from others about what leadership means to them. This experience has provided a positive impact that he can continue to show in all areas as he finishes this program and moves onto his next plans, which involve possibly releasing music with his band. 

Brendan Sagastume

Brendan is a member of Perkiomenville (PA) Mennonite. Through the Ambassador Program this summer, he is working with both Mosaic Conference and Perkiomenville.

Congregational Profile: Luz y Vida Iglesia Menonita

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Moises Ramirez, Ana Paula Ungaro, Brenda Colón, Ariel Ramirez, Miguel Sanchez, and Elimel Piña on a Sunday Worship Service. Photo provided by Luz Y Vida

Luz y Vida (Light and Life) Mennonite Church was started as a church plant in 2009 in the College Hill neighborhood of Tampa, FL. The new church was a project started by Pastor Tomas Ramírez and his family, funded by the Southeast Mennonite Conference and the College Hill Mennonite Church. The College Hill congregation offered the use of their church building and support by providing health insurance. 

The congregation flourished and after a year moved to the Orlando area. Currently the congregation is renting space with another congregation, but they hope to have their own building in the future. 

Mother’s Day luncheon. Photo provided by Luz Y Vida.

The church has a multicultural Hispanic ministry including many Brazilians.  A strength of ​​the church ministry is combining the message of the Good News with involvement in the social needs of the community.  The congregation offers many social services to the community, notably in the areas of food, mental health, optometry, and eyewear.

The church program, “See Better to Learn Better,” has the goal of providing 100 eyeglasses to 100 low-income young students. Many students are taking classes online and rely on their computers and tablets to study and need proper eyewear. Pastor Tomas is an optician. The church has professional equipment to make formulated eyeglasses. The entire pastor’s family is active in the church programs.

Pastor Tomas Ramirez, Tania Chica and Wellington de Jesús. Photo provided by Luz y Vida.

There are many more ministries and programs within the church. The congregation has a large emphasis on youth ministry.  The youth are organized and have an annual retreat at a camp and invite participants from other churches in the area. The church also has a men’s program called “Men of Courage.” Its mission is to offer help to the church community as handymen. 

The Luz y Vida congregation has a leadership training program, which trains persons to be sent to different parts of the city to start new Mennonite communities.