Rev. Luis M. Ortiz was born on September 26, 1918, in Corozal, Puerto Rico, the eighth child of Miguel Ortiz and Aurelia Marrero. He was the founder and president of the W.M.M. work from 1963 to 1995. He came to know the Lord Jesus Christ in his childhood; at the age of ten he became aware of and felt God's call to ministry. He had a great love for writing, and after completing his studies he began working at the newspaper "El Mundo." He later resigned from that job to obey the Lord, having understood that his life was useful in His hands and that God wanted to prepare him for His work.
He began studying the Word at the Mizpa Bible Institute in Puerto Rico. In those very moments God was dealing subtly with him — with his heart, his faith, and above all with his call to the nation of Cuba. One afternoon, while praying and crying out with great humility, he surrendered to Christ to submit himself to missionary work.
In 1943 he married Sister Rebeca Hernández Colón; God blessed the fruit of their love with their daughters Damaris and Priscila. That same year they went together to the mission field in the Dominican Republic.
They then arrived in Cuba, where they worked tirelessly and witnessed the glory of God — the wonders our beloved Father performed in every life that received His Word. There were miracles, signs, and hearts that loved sound doctrine. They spent 17 years of unceasing labor there, leaving behind around 60 churches and a beautiful body of the Lord's workers.
By God's providence, he returned to Puerto Rico in 1960; three years later the W.M.M. work began. Rev. Luis M. Ortiz was the founder and promoter of the missionary magazine "Impacto Evangelístico," a publication distributed internationally to this day.
A man of reserved character, humble, firm in his convictions, spiritual, holy, and kind in his dealings — especially with the Lord's workers, to whom he offered wise counsel and words of encouragement to continue their labor and fight their battles.
The Lord called him to His presence on September 26, 1996. He is remembered as a missionary with a clear and broad vision who traveled tirelessly, leading evangelistic campaigns and taking part in conventions, congresses, fellowships, and missionary conferences. He was an evangelist who brought many lives to Christ; a pastor and teacher of the Word who shared the message of salvation in season and out of season. A born writer, more than 200 poems are recorded from his work.
The work he carried out is the most important a man can perform: steadfast faith, constant sacrifice, suffering, and abundant fruit — a reflection of many souls surrendered to Jesus Christ, hundreds of churches established, and workers called to missionary service.
"Advancing through the roads of America and the world"
REV. LUIS M. ORTIZ.
