Friends of IDEAL - Marlon

Español

The Story of Marlon Caesar Martínez

ideal-friends-marlon

“After coming to IDEAL, my life made a 180-degree turnaround…”

Marlon came to the United States in 1988 with his wife and two children, Ali and Irais. Upon arrival to Colorado, he stayed with a family of evangelical Christians. Growing up a nominal Catholic, his first experiences going to an evangelical church with his host family were a bit strange. But only several months later, in 1989, Marlon accepted Christ. From his earliest moments as a believer, he was bewildered by the rules and regulations that seemed like prerequisites to participation in the churches he was involved with. Because of this, Marlon abandoned nearly all church activity for the better part of 19 years.

One day in the summer of 2008, Marlon overheard a radio advertisement on 810AM El Camino for the IDEAL Institute at Denver Seminary. Wilmer Ramírez, the Director of Hispanic Initiatives, extended an invitation to attend the Plan Básico, a program built around the foundational principles of the Christian life.  Marlon decided to attend. After taking several classes, “my entire life made a 180 degree turnaround,” he recounted. “It was at IDEAL that for the first time I heard about the love of God.  I learned that Christianity was not about the rules; it was about love.” He also began attending Wellspring Anglican Church in Englewood. He graduated from the Plan Básico at the top of his class and looks forward to attending the Plan Ministerial during the 2009-2010 academic year.

Marlon continues to work in construction and also helps his wife sell tamales to restaurants (many of which are frequently donated to Denver Rescue Mission). But after IDEAL, Marlon has new vocational aspirations. His dream is to one day return to Mexico as a missionary to serve the tiny town of Costa Chica, Mexico and tell them of the love of God that changed his life.

Back to Friends of Ideal Main Page