Our Ministry Team
Buff and Lana Ness
LEAD PASTORS
Our Founding Pastors, Buford and Lana Ness, answered the call to come to Ecuador in 2013. They arrived in Salinas in July, 2014 and began the church with the help of other American expats. Our beloved Pastor “Buff” passed away January 6, 2026 and Pastora Lana is now the Principal and Lead Pastor. Having been ordained in 1986, she served alongside her husband as co-Pastor for many years until his passing.
Pastora Lana has an earned doctorate in Sacred Music and a Master’s degree in Theology. Like her husband, she is a capable teacher of the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “We walk by faith, not by sight” and that is the overarching message of this ministry. At COTB there is a strong emphasis on Romans 12:2 as well.
Willy Ríos and Saron
ASSOCIATE MINISTERS
Pastor Willy Rios and his worship-leading wife, Saron, joined COTB as Associate Ministers in September, 2018. Both have had extensive ministry experience through the years. Pastor Will served Youth With A Mission for 15 years as a leader and a Bible teacher. Saron has enjoyed a successful music ministry as a soloist and worship leader. This anointed couple leads the Spanish speaking congregation.
Michael Scott
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Michael Scott joined COTB in 2021 following the death of his spouse. As a grieving widow, he eagerly participated in the services, prayer meetings and discipleship classes. Two years later, he married one of COTB’s faithful members, Ruth Palacios. Together the two of them have faithfully served this community of faith. As his anointing and leadership skills began to emerge Pastor’s Buff and Lana came to regard Michael as their “Joshua” for this ministry.
He was licensed into this ministry in 2025 and currently helps Pastora Lana lead the ministry. He is currently enrolled in Victory Bible School and will complete his studies soon. His wife, Ruth, serves as a deaconess at COTB and currently leads the Praise and Worship ministry. Together, they very capably lead the language ministry at COTB.
Board of Directors
María Carrión
President
Saron de Ríos
Vice-President
Naryi Fitzgerald
Secretary
Lana Ness
Treasurer
Advisory Council
María Carrión
María Carrión
Darwin Castillo
Deacons
María Castillo
Darwin Castillo
María Carrión
Staff
Guardians
Edgar and Belquis Ramos
