Missionary churches
1) Bretaña - Pastor Larri
The church not only serves as a Christian hub in the village of Bretaña, but also as the hub of missionary work throughout that region of Peru. As additional churches and pastors were established, the church at Bretaña became the teaching/training site for everyone. Worship services are held there every Sunday morning as well as Wednesday and Friday nights.
Over time, Larri Ramirez, Pastor Jose’s son-in-law, became the senior pastor for the Bretana church, freeing up Jose to focus more energy on other ministries. In 2017, it became very clear to Pastor Jose that a separate facility needed to be constructed, just behind the church that would serve as a full-time training facility for remote church pastors and their wives.
Through much prayer, the facility was named SOS, the School of the Supernatural – Supernatural in that only with God’s blessings could such a structure of this type and magnitude be built and paid for. A full description of this story can be read on the SOS Page.
Pastors Jose and Clara live just a few yards away from the church, and Pastors Larri and Jazmine, their daughter, about 200 yards away. This is extremely convenient as the building itself is used extensively for both church as well as community events.
Worship services, weddings, men’s activities, women’s activities, teenager activity as well as children’s ministry activities all occur within this facility, all week long. Prior to the construction of the SOS building, the church also served as a training site for pastors.
Larri’s backyard is where the few tools they have are kept; and a great deal of initial wood working occurs there. The area is also used as a large outdoor cooking arena where large amounts of food are prepared over open fires in large metal pots for ceremonies at the church, such as weddings and social events.
In 2021, the twenty large windows surrounding three sides of the church were finally all framed out, the concrete floor was covered with tile, and a few more individual plastic chairs were added to supplement the wooden benches being used. In 2022, ceiling fans were added, and in 2023 a series of fans were installed on both sides of the church where the side walls meet the ceiling rafters.
In 2024, the church has held 7 baptisms and spear-headed an effort to bring all 4 of the Christian Bretana churches into a closer relationship with each other. In August of 2024, the church will host a conference of 50 village churches, again to create more unity throughout the region. Pastor Larri also has plans for major improvements to his existing church in Bretana.
Besides heading up the Bretana church, Pastor Larri has recently started a construction company that in just two months has 32 full-time employees. He plans to start two more companies. Buying a large boat and starting a transportation company; and setting up a retail distribution shop in Bretana carrying various construction products.
Mission Churches "North" of Bretaña
2) Paucar - Pastor Elio
Pastor Elio leads the mission church in the small village of Paucar.
The village is located 45 minutes by fast-boats north of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 90 people.
Pastor Elio is a true fisherman. No one knows the river like he does and where the best spots are located to catch the most fish. A typical day consists of a breakfast with fish and rice, a lunch with fish and rice, and a dinner with fish and rice. Pastor Jose has learned to bring eggs with him when he visits just to add a little something different into any meal.
Pastor Elio also has a very large family and likes to joke that he is raising his own soccer team.
The church at Paucar was built by Pastor Elio and Pastor Larri, the pastor of the Bretaña church. It was completed in 2018 and is the only church in Paucar. In December of 2022, Pastor Elio desires to expand the church building but needs about $1500 to do so.
Pastor Elio has led the congregation there since its inception.
3) Atun Poza - New Pastor TBD
Pastor Wally leads the mission church in the small village of Atun Poza.
The village is located 1.5 hours by fast-boats north of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is around 175 people.
Pastor Wally was bitten by one of the most venomous snakes in the Amazon and was not expected to live. He prayed to God that if He would let him live he would dedicate his life to being a pastor. God granted his prayer and Pastor Wally fulfilled his promise to God.
The church at Atun Poza was built by Pastor Wally and Pastor Larri, the pastor of the Bretaña church. It was completed in 2014. It is the only church in Atun Poza.
4) Manco Capac - Pastor Anibal
Pastor Anibal leads the mission church in the mid-size village of Manco Capac.
The village is located 1 hour by fast-boats north of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is around 600 people.
Pastor Anibal belonged to an original church in Manco Capal but the senior pastor left several years ago and took all the church belongings with him. The church building was eventually converted into a non-religious facility. Over time Pastor Anibal and his wife Pastor Monica considered leaving Manco Capac themselves and establishing a church in another village.
But in March of 2022, efforts began at "The Church at Trophy Lakes", in Trophy Club, Texas to raise the funds needed to build a new church in Manco Capac. Pastors Anibal and Monica agreed to remain, and Pastor Larri from Bretana, with four carpenters and Pastor Anibal, began construction on the new building in November of 2022 and the church was completed in December. One member of a missionary team from Trophy Club, that visited Bretana during this construction period, split off to help complete the efforts on the church, and while there also built a high-quality volleyball court directly across from the new church.
The village of Manco Capac is mostly a double row of houses extending for about a half-mile. The new church and volleyball court are directly in the center of this half-mile of homes. At the dedication ceremony for this new church, held on December 3,rd of 2022, Pastors Anibal and Monica were encouraged to reach out in both directions to draw villagers to the new church and the new volleyball court as a means of uniting the entire village behind the new church. In 2023, it is the only church in Manco Capac.
In the summer of 2023, a large revival was held at the church. Numerous people came in from Bretana to assist with the summer revival services, and over 14 people accepted Christ as their personal savior during this multi-day event.
5) Jorge Chavez - Pastor Antonio
Pastor Antonio leads the mission church in the mid-size village of Jorge Chavez.
The village is located 2.5 hours by fast-boats north of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 250 people.
When Pastor Jose first partnered with Pastor Antonio, a church already existed in Jorge Chavez but the building was in need of a lot of repair as that area of the river floods annually, sometimes as much as two feet of water. Pastor Larri, the pastor of the Bretaña church, was sent up and he and Pastor Antonio repaired the existing building with the work being completed in 2019.
Pastor Antonio also has quite a few skills. He is an excellent fisherman. He is a very good farmer. Plus, he likes building canoes for friends upon requests, and is quite good at it.
Pastor Antonio has led the congregation in Jorge Chavez since its inception.
6) Nuevo Tarma - Pastor Cesar
Pastor Cesar leads the mission church in the small village of Nelvo Tarma.
The village is located 4 hours by fast-boats north of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 200 people.
Pastor Daniel is the youngest pastor in the Amazon Region. He strives to be a bible scholar, and has a devout love for the bible and its teachings. He presents God’s messages with such a clear understanding that his church can no longer hold everyone.
The church at Nelvo Tarma actually meets in a little house. It is the only church in Nelvo Tarma. Plans are already underway to dramatically in-large the small house to accommodate the large number of villagers now gathering to hear him preach.
Pastor Daniel is the second pastor to lead the congregation in Nelvo Tarma, replacing the original pastor that left due to personal reasons.
7) - Karocurawaiti - Pastor TBD
The village of Karocurawaiti is located 5 hours by fast-boat north of Con the western branch of the Ucayali River.
Then, if the river is high enough, you boat inland to a large beautiful lake. If the river is down, the only way to reach the village is a 35 minute hike through a very dangerous section of the Amazon Forest. No one attempts this without a guide from the village to show them the proper paths to take.
The village has about 120 people but recently its pastor left the area and basically took the church with him. It is the hardest of all the Amazon villages to get to and as such work has gone really slow trying to find a new pastor.
Once that is done, then plans can start to take place for putting up an actual church building for the village.
MISSION CHURCHES "souTH" OF BRETAÑA
8) Ancash - New Pastor TBD
Pastor Gil leads the mission church in the mid-size village of Ancash.
The village is located 1.75 hours by fast-boats south of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 250 people.
Pastor Gil was the “right-hand man” to the pastor that built the church, with help from Pastor Larri, the pastor of the Bretaña church. It was completed in 2017.
In 2019, that pastor left the village and Gil, with no formal bible or ministerial training, agreed to step in and become the Pastor for the village.
Since that date he has helped-out in every event he could within other village churches, and in doing so has developed a good understanding of biblical teachings, and how to apply those teachings to his congregation.
He remains a fisherman by trade.
9) San Miguel - Pastor Rider
Pastor Rider leads the mission church in the small village of San Miguel.
The village is located about 2 hours South of Bretaña by fast-boats on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 140 people.
The first church at San Miguel was built in 2012 and was one of the prettiest of all the mission churches. Pastor Rider had painted various colorful murals all over the church. The Amazon River system can be very dangerous, especially during the rainy season as the water level can rise dramatically without warning. In 2015 such an event occurred and the water totally wiped-out the church building.
Due to unavailability of funds, finally in 2018 Pastor Rider and Pastor Larri, the pastor for the Bretaña church, were able to rebuild the church and at a safer spot within the village.
The church at San Miguel is the only church there and Pastor Rider has led the congregation since its inception.
Pastor Rider has also been Blest by God with a very large family.
10) Bellavista - Pastor Guillermo & Pastor Ceverino
Pastor Guillermo leads the newer of the two mission churches in the mid-size village of Bellavista.
The village is located about 2.5 hours by fast-boats south of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 350 people.
The first church at Bellavista was built in 2013 by Pastor Ceverino and Pastor Larri, the pastor for the Bretaña church. The Amazon River system can be very dangerous, especially during the rainy season as the water level can rise dramatically without warning. In 2015 such an event occurred and the water-mark, when the river subsided showed it was 9’ above ground level on the building.
Saving what could be saved, in 2016, Pastor Ceverino and Pastor Larri were able to rebuild the church and at a much safer spot within the village.
Several years later, Pastor Guillermo arrived from a different village and established a second church at the other end of the village, The two pastors work very closely together to coordinate various events so that everyone can participate.
11) Huacrachiro - Pastor Juanito
Pastor Juanito leads the mission church in the large village of Huacrachiro.
The village is located about 3 hours by fast-boats south of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is very close to the village of Las Palmas. The village is accessible only by boat and the population is about 800 people.
The first church at Huacrachiro was built in 2013 by Pastor Juanito and Pastor Larri, the pastor for the Bretaña church. The Amazon River system can be very dangerous, especially during the rainy season as the water level can rise dramatically without warning. In 2014 such an event occurred and the church building was completely wiped out.
In 2016 a better spot was secured, on higher ground and the front to a new church was built, again by Pastor Juanito and Pastor Larri.
In December of 2022, it is Pastor Juanito’s desire to enlarge the church in Huacrachiro but the funds are currently unavailable to do so. Hopefully in the near future the additional section of the church can be built.
12) Las Palmas - Pastor Victor
Pastor Victor leads the mission church in the large village of Las Palmas.
The village is located about 3.75 hours south of Bretaña by fast-boats on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 700 people.
Las Palmas is a long village stretching for nearly one mile in length.
Pastor Victor possibly studies the bible more than any other village pastor throughout the region and his church is well-known as being a Christ-like church. He is an excellent fisherman. Plus he is a very talented keyboard player, leading his church with a solid musical ministry.
The church building at Las Palmas was started by Pastor Victor and an excellent carpenter in his congregation. But as funds ran low, he approached Pastor Jose and in a joint venture Pastor Victor and Pastor Larri, the pastor for the Bretaña church, completed the building together in 2017.
It is the larger of two churches in Las Palmas. and Pastor Victor has led the congregation since its inception.
Pastor Victor's Inputs --- June 2024
I have been living now for two years in Las Palmas carrying on the work of the Lord. I have 7 children: 4 boys and 3 girls.
The church currently has 25 members and we are working with our brothers to experience vigils, fasts, and many other activities.
We also have 40 children for the glory of God.
I am a person who likes to study the Bible and read many books. I am interested in learning more so I can teach my brothers.
I am also grateful to God for giving me the talent of playing the keyboard and maintaining a very solid musical ministry.
We don’t work alone in our mission for I have many pastor friends who provide me with their cover of support. It is very much the same as with Pastor Jose and the foreign missionaries, for example, because I know they pray for me, my family and the church.
And finally, I am very grateful to God for having placed Pastor Jose in my path. During the most difficult time in my life, God sent him to help me. And I ask every pastor or brother who reads this note to pray for me, Pastor Victor, for my family and my church.
May God our Father bless you.
13) Nuevo Encanto - Pastor Elmer
Pastor Elmer leads the mission church in the mid-size village of Nuevo Encanto.
The village is located about 4 hours by fast-boats south of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 300 people.
The village of Nuevo Encanto had a small church that basically was closed when the pastor left the village. Several years later, when Pastor Larry arrived, he asked Pastor Larri from the Bretaña church for help.
Together they salvaged the wood from the old building and constructed a new church building, which was completed in 2018. It is the only church in Nuevo Encanto.
Pastor Elmer has led the congregation there since its inception. He has a deep love for young people, especially teenagers, and works hard to develop these young people into strong Christians.
14) - San Antonio - Pastor Alcides
Pastor Alcides leads the mission church in the small village of San Antonio.
The village is located about 4.5 hours by fast-boats south of Bretaña on the western branch of the Ucayali River, and is accessible only by boat. The village population is about 90 people.
The original church in San Antonio was led by an elderly gentleman that eventually closed the building and pad-locked the door. Upon his death, Pastor Alcides arrived, and over objections from some of the villagers, sought help from Pastor Jose.
Pastor Larri, the pastor of the Bretaña church was send down and in only fifteen days the two pastors restored the church building and the doors reopened for worship. This occurred in 2019 and Pastor Alcides has led the congregation since.
Pastor Alcides is known for being an excellent fisherman for large turtles. Turtles are a delicacy in the Amazon River region and Pastor Alcides catches them and then sells them to individuals on passing boats for a nice income.