Ramos, W.
W. Ramos is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.
The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, majoring in social studies, at Sultan Kudarat State University, Tacurong, Philippines, and a Master of Divinity focusing on practical theology at Bishop Han Theological Seminary, Malaybalay, Philippines. She taught at Southern Institute of Technical Education Inc. and interned at Esperanza National High School.
Ramos is a member of Peace United Methodist Church, New Tarlac, part of the Mindanao Philippines Annual Conference. “I’m an active member of our local church,” she said. “Every time I go home, our administrative pastor taps me to preach. I also volunteer every summer to teach in vacation church school.
As a girl, Ramos regularly attended Sunday school, VCS and district children’s programs. Then she moved up to youth activities and served as a district finance officer for four years.
“Our district was composed of 17 local churches,” she recalled. “When we held the Summer Institute and the Christmas Institute, the attendance of the youth ranged from 150 to 200 participants. Organizing and planning for such activities needs time, dedication and commitment. Committing my four years to the United Methodist Youth Fellowship in the Philippines, Southwest District, developed my leadership skills. It also taught me to be flexible.”
Despite many sleepless nights, she always felt happy and fulfilled and looking forward to the next event.
“When I decided to take my Master’s in Divinity in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon,” Ramos said, “I was elected Mission Society treasurer.” Related to the seminary’s student body organization, the society focuses on projects and activities related to mission work.
She enjoyed her two-year term as treasurer, especially planning activities for the children’s ministry on the relocation site, as well as organizing and participating in a feeding program and a medical mission. “To raise funds to help buy materials for activities,” Ramos explained, “we planted vegetables to sell at the market and in the school kitchen. Some of our harvest we gave to church members.
“Balancing my studies and doing mission work is hard, but the joy can’t be compared. That is why when they let us choose our specialization, I chose practical theology so I could understand more and be exposed to mission work.”