Featuring Pastor Joel Ramirez

Iglesia Centro Cristiano de Minneapolis serves the close-knit and culturally rich Latino community in Minneapolis. Twenty-four years ago, Pastor Joel Ramirez started the church, housed in the Inner City Church of Minneapolis (ICCM), and has since established six new churches throughout the Twin Cities.

Pastor Joel welcomes more than 150 people, from the very young to older adults, to weekly services and groups facilitated in Spanish. Every week, Pastor Joel also focuses on community outreach.

The congregation embraces Latino community members, many of whom have immigrated to the United States from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Facing systemic inequities in access to education, employment, housing, and healthcare, individuals and families seek help through Iglesia Centro Cristiano de Minneapolis to connect to resources provided in a culturally sensitive manner.

“In the community, things are not good socioeconomically. People want to work, but work is hard to come by. Sometimes a person can get a job through someone they know, someone who already has a job. There are many barriers,” he says.

“We try to help the community by offering English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. We motivate kids to keep going in school and achieve good grades. We help students apply for university scholarships and talk to school principals to help connect students to universities. We help ensure the next generation’s success. Parents are hopeful for the future of their children.”

A furnished home provides a foundation of stability as families get established in the community and plan for the future.

Pastor Joel finds that Bridging is an essential resource for families who have recently secured housing and do not have the financial means to make their new home functional and comfortable.

The partnership between Iglesia Centro Cristiano de Minneapolis and Bridging has had a significant impact. In 2023, this partner agency made 248 referrals to Bridging, furnishing homes for 1200 people in these families.

“People often find out about Bridging by word of mouth. They receive a blessing and a good start in this country. When people come to this country and get this furniture, their lives change in just one moment.”

Pastor Joel recalls a recent visit to a family that is part of the congregation:

“He told me, ‘I have a lot of joy. I was sleeping on my couch. And now I have a bed. It’s a different house now that I have this furniture.’ They would never think of having all of this in their home country. They are surprised at the good quality and generosity,” he says.

“Bridging provides hope and an amazing future for people. It’s a blessing to have Bridging in Minnesota.”