"If you have Someone you Love, tell them to Buy Life lnsurance";Pastor Ramos

by Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News, posted March 25, 2011

LOWELL, Mass.,_Kenyans and other immigrants in America have been asked to tell their friends and family members who have no life insurance to purchase coverage as soon as possible  before it was too late.

The call was made by Pastor Richie Ramos from the Greater Increase Ministries in New Jersey during the recent celebration to mark the opening of the new Grace International Church (GIC) sanctuary in Lowell Mass.

 Speaking to worshippers and guests present, Pastor Ramos said that is very sad when many people in America have to make their families go through financial problems and embarrassment of burial fund raising when uninsured members die.

 He said that any living person who either has or does not have a family needs make it a point of planning for their deaths and avoid leaving their families and friends with unbearable burdens.

   “We were late to come here last night as we had to attend the burial of a friend in Hartford Connecticut who died without life insurance”, said the physically handicapped pastor who nevertheless was combative in delivering the word of God.

  “This friend died with no life insurance and we had to bear the pain of approaching the community in New Jersey to contribute funds and make arrangements so that this person can be buried. If you have a friend or family member and you love them, ask them if they have life insurance and if they don’t, tell them they need to buy some immediately. I tell you, it is really bad when people fail to plan for their deaths”, he added passionately.
 
 The issue of life insurance has become very confusing within the Kenyan community in New England especially since the Kenya Pastors' Fellowship, an organization that brings together  some pastors of various Kenyan community churches in the region, launched what they termed as "a cheap life insurance plan" late last year.

  However, upon closer examination by the Kenyan media in the region, the insurance product propagated by the KPF turned out to be a highly expensive product for the majority of Kenyans compared to the benefits promised.

The plan required a primary insured to pay $ 45 a month for $20,000 worth of death benefit, with $ 5,000 for a spouse and $1,000 for a child under the same plan.

 However many members of the Kenyan community balked at signing up with the KPF plan dogged by murky details of the plan by the KPF pastors, and their clear lack of appetite to discuss other cheaper and appropriate alternatives with licensed insurane agents in the Kenyan community.

Further analysis of the proposed KPF plan showed that  the $45  premium asked  was not going directly to an insurance company, but rather as a membership fee to the National Association of Small Employers (NASE).

 Once a member, NASE would then give a term life policy through Met Life Insurance Company as part of membership benefits to all their members.

 Worse still, it also turned out that the $20,000 death benefit given would reduce by 75% once the insured reached age 60, leaving them with only $5,000 coverage.

The insurance would then totally expire by age 65, leaving insured Kenyans no longer insured and failing to serve the purpose of avoiding burial fund raisings especially at an age where most people start passing away.

A key selling point by the Kenyan pastors for the plan that those who sign up will not be required to provide much documentation was also debunked when a representative at NASE confirmed to Ajabu Africa News that while it is true that very little documentation was required at the time of sign-up, full docementation would be required by Met Life Insurance company in case someone dies and a death claim was filed.

"The company has to require legal documentation in order to file with the IRS about who they paid such an amount of death benefit", said a representative of NASE during a telephone inquiry by Ajabu Africa News.

Pastor Ramos

Many observers wondered why the pastors organization was pushing what many considered a highly inappropriate product at the expense of the community needs while also failing to tell Kenyans that in America, they have access to many real cheap and easily available life insurance policies that cover individuals for as little as $12 a month for a $100, 000 death benefit to last for 30 years.

Given an opportunity to say a word, a top proponent of the KPF insurance plan, Paul Muite, who was present at the event, did not comment on the life insurance part.

 Before Pastor Ramos took the pulpit, he was introduced by Rev. Githere who said that he became friends with Pastor Ramos ever since he met him here in the US and was touched by his life story.

Originally from Cape Verde, off the Western coast of Africa, Pastor Ramos survived a debilitating illness at early childhood with doctors declaring him crippled for life and that he would never get off to walking at all.

 “But through the healing powers of God, you can see pastor Ramos is here and walking and preaching the word of healing”, said Rev. Jeremiah Githere while clearing  the way for  the man of God to get to the pulpit with his walker.

  Pastor Ramos asked Christians who   may be discouraged by various problems to never give up hope since God can take care of any problem just like he took care of his problems as a child.
 
He also congratulated Rev. Githere for leading the GIC church to reach the milestone of acquiring such a beautiful building and hoped that many people will receive spiritual healing and growth at the new sanctuary.

 “I would like to congratulate Rev. Jeremiah and members if this church for this great achievement”, he said.

  The newly built church, which is on a rent to own arrangement, has cost the about 50 current members of the church almost $100,000 to get ready for the mighty work of God they plan on unleashing in the area and environs.

Rev.Githere introduces a visiting Brazillian pastor and his wife

During the dedication that took place on Sunday, March 6, Rev. Jeremiah Githere, pastor of the GIC church told worshippers that the church aims at being a blessing and not a hindrance to the spiritual growth of anyone from any country that comes to worship.

  Comprised of a large sanctuary with a 100 seating capacity, the new church also has a lot of extra facilities for other activities essential to the total growth of man.

There are extra rooms for Sunday school children, a spacious conference room, a kitchen, two bathrooms, a pastor’s office as well as several other offices that can be used for various functions.

 Congratulating members of the church for the effort that have put to make their  dream come true, Rev. Githere  said that  the church  about 50 members  but they have    been able to persevere a lot while contributing their finances to help finish the  expensive work get the church ready for use.

  “I would like to thank you all who gave so much of yourselves and your finances to get this building completed. May god bless you all”, said the pastor.

The church is one of the very few churches with a majority of Kenyans in the congregations that still manages to attract worshippers from other countries.

Among such worshippers were several American and Brazilian Nationals who also congratulated Rev. Githere, his wife, Veronica Githere and members of the GIC church for the success at getting the new sanctuary up and running.
 
Other guests and church members present expressed similar sentiments.

 “We feel good at the work we have managed to completed and get this church to where it is today. We feel very honored and blessed”, said Jane Johnson, a member of the church.

 “It’s a big accomplishment and we hope many people who don’t have a place to worship can come and worship with us”, said peter Mwaniki, the church treasurer.

 The event that included entertainment by the GIC praise and worship team as well as performances by the Sunday school choir, ended with a sumptuous lunch and refreshments as guests and worshippers socialized.

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