“My name is Charlie Ramos, and I am the pastor of Catedral de fe in Lima, Peru. My parents founded the church, so I've been involved since I was a child. I had a powerful encounter with Jesus when I was eight years old, alone in my room. No service, no event, no preacher, no music—just me, a desk, an open window, and the touch of the Holy Spirit. I accepted Jesus with all my heart, and from that moment on, I knew He was my Savior.”

I have served the Lord alongside my father since 2011. In 2018, I stepped into a larger leadership role as co-pastor. By 2019, we were experiencing significant growth in the church and had a major vision for 2020. Then, in March of that year, everything changed. The Peruvian government announced the closure of churches. Peru became one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with a devastatingly high death rate. Our church was not spared. Six leaders and over 46 members directly associated with our congregation passed away, along with hundreds of family members.

The crisis in the country was overwhelming and we were unprepared for such a large challenge. There was an oxygen crisis because plants and tanks couldn't keep up with the demand. The price of oxygen skyrocketed from 150-200 sols to around 800, and people waited in line for three days just to refill a tank. It was clear that we faced a choice: remain passive and watch our community suffer, or become part of the solution.

We didn't have money or resources to spare. But we had faith–faith that God was going to answer our prayers. We chose to act, to bless those in need. We went into the streets, refilling oxygen tanks, distributing supplies and toys to affected children, and sharing the message of Christ through practical acts of service.

Seeing God’s faithfulness throughout this pandemic compelled us to do more. We launched "Operation Hope," an initiative to bless our community. We painted walls, cleaned community centers, and refurbished security booths. We provided wheelchairs and other necessities to those in need. Over 1,100 people received free medical care and medication. We concluded "Operation Hope" with a powerful message of salvation, and over 600 people accepted Jesus.

“Give, and you will receive. The amount you give will determine the amount you receive.” Our church learned a powerful lesson: in our most critical moment, we could be generous. Because in the midst of a situation where there was a world of fear, the world needed a church filled with faith and courage. And that's exactly what we did. We took courage in the name of Jesus.