Fresh faces of Evangelicalism

Ecuador Day 5

I would like you to meet three young men who I believe are fresh faces of evangelicalism. There is nothing unique about these three as it could have been hundreds of others. However these three with a true heart for God and a strong desire to see people come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and to love Him as they do.

First let me introduce you to William.


William is from the Amazon basin. He visits his church by hiking through the jungle or by canoe. His life is not easy but he has a strong desire to see his people know the love of God. When we met him he was dressed in a suit and tie and could easily have passed as a young business man rather that a jungle evangelist. William did not speak English and told us his story with the help of a translator.

The second young man is a talented graphic designer named Rommel. I did not get to know Rommel well but his welcoming, loving personality along with his love of the Lord makes him one of the young evangelicals that will help turn Ecuador and South America to the gospel.


The third young man, the youngest of the three, is Alberto or Beto. This gifted young man was our host, guide and often our translator. He took care of our needs and introduced us to many church planters. He took us to some of Quito's sights and restaurants.


His most challenging job was to be a translator and the most challenging situation was when he translated for Paul as he preached. He showed himself to be a gifted translator as well as a preacher.


Rommel and Beto work for an organization called Multiplication Network along with Juan W., Juan Carlos and Saarita.



The evangelical church is growing in South America but is growing from the grass roots. The Multiplication Network believes that the true growth of the church will come from Ecuadorians reaching Ecuadorians in small community churches and it growing.

This reminds me of the Rock cut out of the mountain in Daniel 2. This Rock will destroy the kingdoms of the world and grow into the Kingdom of God that is filling the whole earth. It is not visible like the kingdoms of the world but it is spreading the glory of the Kingdom.

Thank you Beto for all you did for us.

I am going to empty my church Part 2

Ecuador day 4 continued

First let me explain what I meant by the title. Pastor Victor knew that if he was going to reach his community for Christ he would have to send his people out from his church to do church planting so he prayed to empty his church. From his church he has started over 20 churches.

Our next stop was a rural church where once again we heard more testimonies. You will notice that everyone was dressed up even though this was a Friday afternoon. Because it was Friday afternoon a number of people arrived late. Instead of turning to look at the latecomer in a judgmental manner they stopped and welcomed them by name.






We then drove further inland to another church. As many as possible including me jumped into the back of a small pickup truck for the trip to the church.






The pastor of this church had been a former criminal.



Our next stop was extremely remote. We drove about 10 km down a single lane muddy dirt road. We drove past cacao bean trees, banana trees and sugar cane plantations as well as very poor homes.




Our final destination was a remote village with houses on stilts and an open air school. Someone had promised them money to build a new school but after the school was started the money didn't arrive.






At the end of the day we drove back to Guayaquil and flew back to Quito. We were tired but we felt that we had really experienced what the New Testament church would have been like.

I am going to empty my church Part 1

Ecuador day 4

I am going to empty my church

On Friday we flew to Guayaquil where we started the day by having fish soup for breakfast.


We then drove 50 km north and then stopped in a small village.





We then we visited Pastor Victor's church. Pastor Victor was the man who said that he wanted to empty his church and he did empty it but for four people who stayed and helped to build the church back so once again it is full.




We drove to his first daughter church. There the pastor and his wife welcomed us into the church that meets in a room that is attached to their home. We heard many testimonies and enjoyed their singing. Afterwards we were invited to enjoy refreshments in their home. Many, both young and old, brought their Bibles for us to sign. It was as if they were treating us a celebrities but I honestly felt that I was unworthy to even sit with them.





We met the church planters. Pastor Victor said that he was no longer going to plant daughter churches but rather mother churches.




Day 4 was such a busy day that I will continue this post tomorrow.