This is a very special edition of Profiles. I want to tell everyone about one of the most amazing volunteers in the history of Life Pointe Church/Homestead Church of God. I want to steal the words of Pastor Travis when he said,”When I hear people give excuses why they cannot serve, I think of Ela Ortega.” Shame on me and others for excuse-making when it was unacceptable.
Easter 2005 was Ela and Ivan’s first time with us at Life Pointe. They were driving by the church one day, and felt drawn to come. In the first service, there was a call to donate canned goods (the event was “Canning Hunger”) and as visitors they made one of the largest contributions. In that same year, they joined in making handmade gifts for Mother’s Day. She also donated her dishes and several appliances after an appeal was made to help someone in the church. From there, the volunteering just multiplied.
Ela Ortega is without question one of the most important pieces of Life Pointe’s volunteer group. She serves as the right hand volunteer coordinator to my mom, Anne Johnson. Anytime a new person walks through the doors at the theater and writes his or her information on a connection card, they are sure to get a personal contact from Ela. Ela also helps coordinate the volunteers in hospitality by reminder phone calls during the week. Ela also has a nack for encouraging people. She definitely has a heart of gold. The most amazing part is that does all this in spite of a debilitating condition which has left her lungs at a fraction of the capacity of most people. This beautiful and kind woman of God has also dealt with the loss of her husband, Ivan, who was also a member and volunteer at Life Pointe. Through all these struggles, Ela remains an example of perseverance, dedication, faith, and kindness. Ela doesn’t get to come to church very often anymore, but every week she listens to the message via podcast and encourages the LPC bloggers with her thoughtful comments.
It’s really amazing that one of the areas in which Ela is so gifted, her words of encouragement and talking to people, is the area in which her physical body has been attacked. If there was a Life Pointe Hall of Fame, Ela would get my vote on the first ballot!
Please take the time to watch this video in Ela’s own words. This was recorded for a series called “LikeUs.tv“.
The Citizen Cane 
Ela Ortega is one of the most inspirational persons I have ever met in my entire Life. It is a sincere pleasure to serve with her each week, and walk with her as we follow and obey Him.
Ela really is phenomenal, giving credit to God, and she goes beyond her own limitations. She encourages and inspires me. Love you, Ela! Thank you for being you.
The only thing I can say to all you is that I love MY chruch and my love for JESUS is unlimited. I have been blessed by all of you and my love for each one of you is amazing. Thanks Phil.
No truer words were ever spoken…Ela is the heart and soul of Lifepointe in so many ways there are not enough hours in the day to go into detail what she means to Lifepointe, moreover the kingdom of Christ…
I have only heard Ela’s voice on the phone when she calls me usually on Tuesdays to remind me of my schedule on Kids Life registration for Sundays… that was until today when I watched the video above. What a touching video that was…
She sure is an inspiration… She has been praying for things that I post in my blog, like right now she is praying with me for my son to get into an amazing christian school, she is always so nice and so kind… she sure is an example of a real christian!!! God bless you Ela!!! I know God is really happy with you for what you do for all of us at LPC… I am looking forward to our meeting in person… hopefully soon!! God bless you! love…. Luci
Ela, I hope you know how loved and appreciated you are. You are an inspiration, as all these others have said. I am so proud to call you friend!
Thanks Phil for sharing about OUR Ela!!! I agree with everything everyone has said and much more…our freindship (sisterhood) was ignited and inspired by GOD himself. Inspite of what she goes through we minister, laugh, pray, cry, vent (ha-ha) and are just like sisters. She does not know it but the other day she was telling me a story and she referred to me as her best-friend and I felt so honored!!! She is the real deal thats why she can minister to so many. And dont anyone make excuses about why they cant serve, she gets soooo disappointed because she loves HER church and the church family. Well enough said, I could go on and on, I love you very much my Friend/sister and so do many others.
I went by the office today and and had a great time, talking to Travis, Jesse, Paul and meeting Alex. Anne showed Andrew (my son) what you and everyone else said about me and it made us both cry again.
Again thanks for thinking of me in that way. For everyone including you Phil, that made a comment I REALLY LOVE YOU ALL. You are not only friends you are family.
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Ela, i pray that Jesus continues to bless you each day of your amazing journey
Ela, none of us will know the impact we make here on earth. You have made a huge impact on Homestead. In Heaven people that you never even met will be saying “Thank you!”
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