By Monty Siekerman
He comes from Tegucigalpa and is here to serve as family ministry director of the Ada First United Methodist Church.

Roberto Varela, a native of Honduras, recently began his duties at the local church after graduating with a B.A. degree from Ohio Christian University in Circleville where he majored in ministry and sports management. Sports? He loves soccer, a game he played from his young days in his native Honduras through college.

As family ministry director, he will work with all generations, from newborn to the elderly, to bring families together to serve God and the Church.

Roberto was fortunate to go to a bilingual school where he began learning English in preschool. His dad is a mechanical engineer with John Deere, and his mom is a lawyer in the capital city of the Central American nation. A twin sister and a younger brother are now in college in Brazil.

Roberto was a busy man last week since he helped with the church’s Vacation Bible School. His group of fourth to sixth graders assisted at ReStore several times and helped take care of the yards of two elderly couples.  

What are his impressions of Ada after being here less than a month? He said that he loves the community because the people are friendly and the town is safe. He is glad to live and serve in a town that is welcoming. “People who I don’t know smile and say ‘Hi’ to me when I walk down Main Street,” he said. Next time you see a young man, new to town, give him a greeting as you pass by. He’s probably Roberto.