Pastor Dave Hughey presents Ramer with a commemorative plaque.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Forty-five years and counting. That’s how long Rosanne Ramer has served at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church in Little Rock.
The 79-year-old began working at the church on Nov. 1, 1978, and has no plans of retiring any time soon. The church recognized her for her dedication to the ministry during their regular services on Sunday, Nov. 4.
Ramer was born in Searcy. For part of her childhood, she lived in West Point, Arkansas, where she and her family were members at West Point Baptist Church. It was there, at age 10, she gave her life to the Lord. She was baptized in the Little Red River across the street from the church. Her family moved to Beebe when she was 13.
Prior to finding her home at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, Ramer worked for a health insurance company for several years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. After five years as a stay-at-home mom, she decided to re-enter the workforce. After working at a bank for a few months, Ramer saw an opening at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church.
“I got an application, and I carried it around in my purse for two to three weeks and I prayed over it. The Lord said, ‘This is what you need to do,’” she said. “He confirmed to me in prayer that I was making the right decision to move from the secular workforce to the church workforce.”
For 25 years, Ramer served as Dr. Paul Sanders’ assistant. When Sanders retired from his pastoral role in 2003, Ramer became the church receptionist and clerk.
“I have always viewed my job as ministry, not just a job,” she said. “I enjoy ministering to our members. I enjoy my coworkers. I enjoy the versatility of the job. … I am thankful God has blessed me with good health and has enabled me to stay here for so long.”
Executive Pastor Jason Miller referred to Ramer as a beacon of their ministry team and their ministry presence in the community.
“Her heart to serve is evident in her continued faithfulness year after year. Her long tenure has given her influence and provides for gospel impact as she connects our community to our ministries and our people to our staff. Rosanne knows our church family, their needs, and she is a wealth of knowledge for helping us care and shepherd our people,” Miller said. “Culture changes and ministry changes, but one thing that has remained for 45 years is her presence and love for our church. We joke that she will outlast us all, which at this rate may very well happen.”
Joe Statton of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church said Ramer always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude in her spirit. He said Ramer is “a person who has more than a wealth of knowledge about our church members because she is truly interested in being a servant of the Lord through her work.”
Ramer and her husband, Joe, have been married 55 years. They have two sons and three grandchildren.