"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

- Ephesians 2:10

A smiling man and woman wearing Salvation Army uniforms consisting of white button down shirts and navy blue suit coats stand next to a Salvation Army flag on a flagpole. The man is bald with grey goatee and the woman has short dark greying hair. Both wear glasses. Little by Little
Carlos and Kerman Moran 

Carlos and Kerman Moran heard their calling as pastors in the 1980s, and after twenty years as successful pastors, they found The Salvation Army. Providing Spanish ministry, cultural connections, and recognizing that culture is more than language, the Morans celebrate their walk with God and The Salvation Army.

Natives to Ecuador, Carlos and Kerman Moran came to the United States in 1983 to attend seminary in Nyack, New York. Three years later, they returned to Ecuador, where they were ordained and became pastors at a local church. While ministering to the local community, Carlos expanded his ministerial reach and joined other pastors at Christian ministry radio station HCJB.

When Carlos and Kerman returned to the United States in 1993, they pastored in the Covenant Church and The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Addison, IL. They also accepted teaching positions in Glendale Heights and Lombard while working with the church. A friend from the Oakbrook Terrace, IL Corps invited them to services. They attended and liked The Salvation Army but remained with their church. Nevertheless, Carlos formed friendships with Salvation Army officers. He developed Bible study translations for them, and little by little, Carlos and Kerman became involved with The Salvation Army and serve as Envoys today.

For eighteen years, the Morans have been leaders in cultural ministries. They have served as English as a Second Language coordinators, cultural ministries directors, and established Spanish ministries at every corps they serve. They are respected leaders in Chicago’s LaVillita neighborhood, where they have worked for fifteen years. They acknowledge that the church is essential in an ethnic community; it helps maintain their ethnic identity.

Traje de Charro Ensemble

This type of suit is worn primarily by men and women of Mexican heritage, styled after the charro, a Mexican cowboy or rider. The suit can be seen worn by participants in charreada (rodeo) competitions and mariachi music performers. It is also worn during celebrations to express pride in Mexican heritage.

On loan from Chicago (La Villita), IL Corps