Dr. David E. Ramirez was nominated to serve as the next Director of World Missions, making the Chile native the first foreign-born minister elected to serve in that executive role. Moments later, Ishmael Prince Charles of the British Virgin Islands was nominated to serve as the Assistant Director of World Missions, a first for a minister of African descent.
“This is a historic moment for our church,” said Presiding Bishop Dr. Gary Lewis, as the body of Ordained Bishops who make up the voting International Executive Council rose to their feet in applause. “Both of these men are products of Church of God World Missions.
“They stand here today, on July 28, 2026, because the Church of God said we’re going to take the Gospel around the world.”
Dr. Ramirez has been making history for years. His story began as the son of Church of God ministers and missionaries who shared Christ throughout Latin America.
He already became the first South American to serve as the Assistant Director of World Missions at the General Assembly two years ago. Before that, he served as the first Latin American elected to the Executive Committee for eight years.
“When I was 13, I received the call to be a missionary and filled with the Holy Spirit … my life was changed,” Dr. Ramirez said. “It is amazing what God can do with an individual that He calls and the church sends. None of this would have been possible without the Church of God truly being an international church.”
For two years, Dr. Ramirez partnered with outgoing Director of World Missions Dr. M. Thomas Propes as the department raised over $15 million. Dr. Ramirez has served in leadership roles in Argentina, Ecuador, California/Arizona and Latin America. His initial plan? Continue to spread the Gospel globally and accelerate church plantings throughout the world.
“We want to care for our missionaries with tenderness and compassion and move forward with the leadership of the Holy Spirit,” Dr. Ramirez said.
Bishop Charles, too, had his life shaped by World Missions. Born to a single teenaged mom on the streets of St. Vincent, he met a Church of God missionary named Robert in a convenience store as a 13-year-old boy.
“He saw me and said, ‘Young man, God has plan for your life. We have two children. You will be our third child.’ Today, I stand on the should of a Church of God missionary who picked me up from the streets.”
Bishop Charles served as a long-term pastor in Tortola of the British Virgin Islands, and advanced to his current position of World Missions Field Director of the Caribbean region.
The 80th International Church of God General Assembly is convening this week in Orlando, Florida. Both men will advance for election to their respective positions Friday when the voting body convenes Friday. The Assembly will conclude later that evening.