First you notice the smile. Next the relaxed manner. Next comes his full attention and you realize he cares and is listening to you. This is Pastor Bob Ramos, the Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian. Attending his Friday afternoon Bible Study you discover he is an avid scholar. Listening to his message (either at the First Presbyterian Sanctuary or Veteran's Park) you discover that he firmly believes in our salvation through Christ and that God is indeed sovereign and working in our lives.
Bob came to faith in Christ his junior year in high school. God’s unconditional love upheld Bob as he dealt with growing up in an alcoholic family where love was conditional. From the day he accepted Christ into his life there was no turning back. He experienced the love of Christ day to day even in the midst of life’s challenges.
As an adult, Bob moved to Kansas where he pastored a Presbyterian Church. Later he returned to California attending Fuller Seminary where he earned his MDiv degree. During that time, he became involved with Young Life Ministry where he spent the next 20 years. Since 2008 he has shared the ministerial responsibilities with Pastor Ron at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula.
Bob feels that his gifts are teaching and preaching, pastoral care, and leading in worship. Being available to serve, to help people discover who they are in Christ Jesus, and encouraging them in their faith walk are his goals in ministry. Away from church his favorite things include hanging out with his daughter, playing guitar, or getting into the mountains to fish.
Pastor Bob’s favorite scripture is found in Philippians 1:6 where it says, “Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The good news is that our lives are under construction and God is with us all the way.
Photo from left to right: Bob preaching at Veteran's Park, Bob at his Friday Bible Study, the congregation at Veteran's Park
Edited by an Elder of First Presbyterian