ecuador / south america

Spiritual Climate

Ecuador has rarely experienced political stability and is very familiar with widespread poverty and child labor. The younger generation makes up the majority of the population with 35% under the age of 15 years-old and remains some of the less-evangelized. Because many rural areas strongly resist religious change, relationship building and culturally relevant ministry is vital.

Ground-Level Perspectives

*In the mountains* Many churches are small in Ecuador. The challenges are great because the Catholic church has strongly opposed the work of the Protestant church. It is a great time to send workers to help build the churches.
— Jim & Corinne Thorp

Guayaquil has the highest incidence of abuse nationwide. One home estimates as many as 7 out of 10 girls who reside there have been victims of exploitation.
— Titus & Stephanie

Guayaquil is a large city. However, with the many people there is also a huge need.
— Jim & Corinne Thorp

Evangelical numbers are large enough to significantly impact society. The potential is great, but many in-house issues need resolution. Many churches exist independently, with no accountability or authority structure.
—Operation World

More about Ecuador

A Couple Raw Facts


President Illustration

Political stability has been rare; presidents rarely last even 18 months in the job.

Banana

Ecuador is the world’s largest exporter of bananas.

 

History & Future

Entered
2003

WorldVenture History in Ecuador

WorldVenture first entered Ecuador in early 2000. The focus of WorldVenture’s team in Ecuador is evangelism, church planting, restoration and justice ministries..

Today &
Tomorrow

Ecuador Team Goals

WorldVenture workers in Loja are hopeful that the future will bring significant breakthroughs in the areas of women's ministry and evangelism. In Guayaquil the hope is to create a movement of believers taking action in issues of justice regarding children victims of abuse and exploitation..

5 Global
Objectives

WorldVenture Global Objectives

  1. Evangelizing the Peoples of the World
    • Relationships being cultivated with non-believers
    • Decisions to follow Christ
    • Believers baptized
    • People engaged in intentional discipleship
    • Bible verses translated and Christian resources created or translated
  2. Extending Grace
    • People helped through development assistance
    • People provided with medical and health assistance
    • People helped toward justice who are in illegal, immoral, dangerous, exploited circumstances
    • People helped directly through disaster relief
  3. Establishing Churches
    • New churches established
    • Daughter churches established
  4. Equipping Leaders
    • Leaders being trained for ministry through formal contexts
    • Leaders being trained for ministry through non-formal contexts
    • TCKs (third culture kids) being equipped
    • 360º leaders being equipped
  5. Encouraging Mission Movements
    • National Christians preparing to become cross-cultural missionaries
    • National churches engaged in cross-cultural missions
    • National church groups engaged in cross-cultural missions

Living Here

 

FOOD & HOUSING

I ate a guinea pig there, once. It is a delicacy, but it doesn't taste like chicken. It wasn't bad, just not that great. In some places it is a traditional wedding meal.
— Jim Thorp

COMMUNITY

Over 60% of the latter’s population are extremely poor, and many live in slums built on a polluted marsh.
— Operation World

 

WEATHER & ENVIRONMENT

Guayaquil is a large city and not an easy place to live. It is hot and crowded. Loja is a beautiful city nestled in the mountains. Since it is so high, the climate is very mild.
— Jim & Corinne Thorp

 

LANGUAGE & CULTURE

The country’s greatest need may be stable government.— Operation World


Local News

The following is a live news feed mirrored from an independent news service, and offers a current stream of headlines coming out of the country. WorldVenture does not control headlines, but only "mirrors" them from other websites.

ecuador source:bbc - Google News
Ecuador President Rafael Correa sworn in for third term - BBC News

BBC News

Ecuador President Rafael Correa sworn in for third term
BBC News
Ecuador's President, Rafael Correa, has been sworn into office for an unprecedented third term in the capital, Quito. The left-wing leader and ally of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has a high popularity rating and his party controls Congress.


Friday, May 24, 2013 11:55:23 AM

Working Lives Ecuador - BBC News

BBC News

Working Lives Ecuador
BBC News
BBC. Accessibility links. Skip to content; Skip to local navigation; Accessibility Help. bbc.co.uk navigation. News · Sport · Weather · Travel · Culture · Autos · TV · Radio · More… Search term: Search. BBC News Latin America & Caribbean. Home · US ...


Friday, May 24, 2013 9:25:34 AM

Ecuador Pegasus satellite fears over space debris crash - BBC News

Ecuador Pegasus satellite fears over space debris crash
BBC News
The nano-satellite, called Pegasus, was launched from the Jiuquan spaceport in China less than a month ago. It is Ecuador's first and only satellite in orbit. Experts said Pegasus had collided with debris from a Soviet rocket but was still in orbit. It ...


Thursday, May 23, 2013 3:39:35 AM

Nigeria refuse to give up on Sidney Sam switch - BBC Sport

BBC Sport

Nigeria refuse to give up on Sidney Sam switch
BBC Sport
By Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Lagos. Nigeria retain hope they can persuade Sidney Sam to play for them despite his call-up to the Germany squad for two upcoming friendlies. Sam was born to a German mother but his father comes from Nigeria so he ...


Monday, May 20, 2013 8:22:13 AM

Ecuador recalls 'brawl' ambassador after spat with Peru - BBC News

Ecuador recalls 'brawl' ambassador after spat with Peru
BBC News
Ecuador's ambassador to Lima, Rodrigo Riofrio, has resigned after being involved in a brawl with two women in a supermarket in the Peruvian capital. The brawl between the ambassador and two female shoppers led to diplomatic tensions between the two ...


Tuesday, May 07, 2013 4:50:19 AM

This feed has 5 articles on 1 page

Opportunities

Opportunity TitleMinimum StayMaximum StayWorld AreaCountryOppSummaryOppResponsibilitiesOppRequirementsOppID
Church Planting Mentor3 YearsLifetimeSouth AmericaEcuadorWorldVenture is working to establish a church planting movement in Loja, Ecuador. The mother church in Loja is working to establish new churches throughout the province. The Ecuadorian workers need someone to mentor them in this experience and help them do the work of evangelism and church planting. The worker would need to begin by working alongside the Ecuadorian church to evangelize and establish the local churches. As this person gains experience in the work he would begin to teach and train the workers in the Biblical character of a pastor and how to start churches. WorldVenture has one couple in Loja pastoring the Mustard Seed Church that is starting the other churches. The worker would work out of this church and travel to the outlying cities and communities where the new churches are being established. Some training would also be done in the city of Loja.Male. Married. This worker would need to have training in Bible teaching as well as experience in church ministry. He would need to be willing to take time to gain experience to have the respect of the Ecuadorians as a Mentor in this area. He would need to have an aptitude for teaching but could gain the experience on the field. 1556
Children and Families at Risk2 YearsLifetimeSouth AmericaEcuadorMany children suffer from abuse and neglect in the city of Loja, Ecuador as a result of a poor family unit. Fathers can often be abusive and absent from the home. Part of the this is a result of the poverty in the society. The worker would minister to children at risk as well as work with the family social unit to improve these conditions.The worker would need to begin by working alongside the Ecuadorian church to find ways to minister to the children and families. The worker would need to enter the community to gain their confidence and plan ministries that would address the needs of the family. The worker would need to be able to work with very challenging family situations. Ecuadorian would need to be trained to carry on the work. This person would need to have a background in family ministry as well as an ability to apply principles of healthy family relationships in an Ecuadorian cultural setting. Experience in family services would be extremely helpful to find ways to minister to the needs of the family. 1557

We're Open to New Ideas

We have many opportunities requested by our teams, but we're open to new ideas. God has moved us into over 60 countries by bringing us people with vision, passion and calling. If you don't find an opportunity that fits, or doesn't fully fit ... let's talk. Our first priority is relationship (i.e. "Are we a good fit for each other? You and WorldVenture"). Once that is clear, we will walk with you into almost anything.

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Get Started

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Projects

Missionary Team


Matt & Kristy Messick

Preparing to serve in Ecuador


Leo & Lourdes Calva

Ministering in church planting and leadership development in Ecuador


Titus & Stephanie Folden

Serving through evangelism, discipleship and restoration with children-at-risk and in marginalized communities

Evangelizing the Peoples of the World

With respect for people and their cultures, we communicate, by word and deed, the full scope of biblical truth and, especially, the gospel. We make disciples of Jesus Christ among all peoples through different kinds of evangelism..

Relationships Being Cultivated with Non-Believers

We seek to build and nurture authentic relationships with people who have no knowledge of Jesus Christ with whom we can share our faith. Paul asks, 'How are they to believe in the one they have not heard of?' Romans 10:14. The answer is that they can't. It is our desire for those who have never heard the gospel or never understood it to have the chance know God. Many times a true opportunity to hear the gospel requires an environment of trust and friendship first.

Scriptures: Matt 28:18-20, Rom 10:14, 1 John 4:19.

 

Decisions to Follow Christ

We recognize both the internal conversion of the heart and external profession of faith as milestones in the journey of obedience to Jesus Christ. We encourage new believers to identify themselves as Christ-followers in ways that are recognized as authentic in the local context.

Scriptures: Romans 10:10, Matthew 5:14-16, Eph. 4:20-24, Mark 16:15 .

 

Believers Baptized

Baptism is another external milestone in the journey of obedience for a new believer. We encourage new Christ-followers to further identified themselves with Jesus Christ and the local community of faith through baptism by immersion.

Scriptures: Romans 6:3-6, Galatians 3:27, Matthew 28:19-20.

 

People Engaged in Intentional Discipleship

We nurture reasonable steps taken to pursue spiritual growth and evangelism from Christians and non-Christians. This often looks like greater depth in comprehending biblical truths and expressing their growing faith in ways meaningfully in their own culture.

Scriptures: Hebrews 10: 24-25, Eph. 4:11-17, Matthew 28: 18-20.

 

Bible Verses Translated and Christian Resources Created or Translated

We actively invest time and talent into Bible translation and creation of Christian media knowing that these investments will expand and deepen the influence of the gospel in a culture.

Scriptures: Acts 2:8-11, Philippians 2:9-11, Acts 13:47-49, Acts 8:26-39.

Extending Grace

Following the example of Jesus, we address human suffering and practical needs everywhere we share the gospel, whether it be through individual acts of mercy or community-wide programs.

Helping People through Development Assistance

Lasting community development is only achieved by insiders. Meaning, we assisted people in their own development efforts in the areas of acquiring sustainable food, water, shelter, literacy, vocational training, education, and employment. Our explicit goal is empowerment, dignity, and community ownership.

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 10:18, 1 Samuel 2:8, Psalm 145:15-16, Luke 12:33.

 

People Provided with Medical & Health Assistance

The grace and blessing of medical care where there is no other access to medical help is one of the longest standing outreaches of WorldVenture. Our hospitals and rural clinics dot some of the most difficult locations in the world.

Scriptures: Jeremiah 33:6, Isaiah 40:29, Matt 19:2.

 

Justice for those in Illegal, Immoral, & Dangerous Circumstances

We seek out those who have become vulnerable and fallen to the advantage of other people. We advocate for them within available legal systems, or we build exits and avenues for them to leave their circumstances.

Scriptures: Isaiah 43:2, Psalm 72:4, Isaiah 51:4-5, Ezekiel 34:15-16, Psalm 82:3-4.

 

Helping People Directly through Disaster Relief

In large scale disasters which are within locations we have workers and churches, we bring help directly to the people effected by the disaster. Our networks are often the most established in the communities to the point that larger relief organizations will defer to us on the ground. Yet our strategies always extend past the immediate response to include some form of rebuilding and restoration.

Scriptures: 1 Cor 16:1-4, Psalm 145:15-16, Philippians 4:19.

 

Establishing Churches

Building his church is central to Jesus’ purposes. We strive to establish healthy local churches that will establish other churches, resulting in church planting movements.

New Churches Established

Recognizing that church planting is typically more of a process rather than a one-time event, we speak of a church as being "established" when the local church and its local sister churches recognize it as such. We value real growth of the church, and use milestones like this to give us benchmarks to celebrate.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 15:20-21, Matthew 18:20, 1 Timothy 4:13, Acts 16:4-5.

 

Daughter Churches Established

 Another milestone we encourage as a mark of a maturing church is the multiplication of daughter churches. More than anything this is a sign of the outward growth and maturity of the faith community.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 16:4-5, Romans 15:20-21, Ephesians 2:19-22.

 

Equipping Leaders

We develop leaders who are able to lead others in contextualizing and maximizing their Kingdom impact – locally, regionally, and around the world.

Leaders Being Trained for Ministry through Formal Contexts

Leadership Development

Our workers staff numberous formal seminaries and bible schools as teachers or administrators. We know that people being equipped in and for ministry through formal degree/diploma granting institutions is an investment in the future health and vitality of the church.

Scriptures: Proverbs 2:10-11, Luke 2:45-47, Proverbs 1:1-7.

 

Leaders being Trained for Ministry through Non-Formal Contexts

Leadership Development

In addition to formal academic training, we encourage leadership development through non-formal ministry training seminars, courses, and programs. These programs are equally as powerful for deepening and establishing churches through informed and mature lay leaders.

Scriptures: Psalm 32:8, Psalm 119:105, John 10:3-4.

 

TCKs (Third Culture Kids) being Equipped

Experience has taught us that some of the most natural and effective future missionaries come from the children of our current missionaries. Not only does the investment in these children make it possible for their parents to work in remote locations, most of the international schools in which we partner encourage the personal ministry and impact these children can have while on the field.

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 4:9, Matthew 18:2-5, 1 Timothy 4:12.

 

"360º Leaders" being Equipped

Our 360° vision for impacting societies recognizes that there are a handful of key roads to impacting in any given city or provence or people group. For example, business and media are key influencers in a society, but often fall outside designated leadership tracks like pastors and teachers. We encourage the development of Christian leaders who will influence society through business, politics, medicine, media, social justice, and family and community development.

Scriptures: John 17:15-19, Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Romans 12:6-8, Matthew 25:23.

 

Encouraging Mission Movements

We will encourage individuals, churches, and church movements everywhere to connect with each other and other organizations, creating international relationships for networking, collaborating, and partnering to do missions “from everywhere to everywhere.”

National Christians Preparing to Become Missionaries

We encourage the natural progression of a maturing national church by advocating for the training and development of national Christians to become missionaries. Crossing-cultures is always difficult, even for those who are born and raised in multi-lingual, multi-cultural environments, and preparation can be a key element in the succeess of a national missionary.

Scriptures: Psalm 144:1, Galations 3:28, Psalm 32:8, Isaiah 61:1.

 

National Churches Engaged in Cross-Cultural Missions

In addition to individuals going out as missionaries, we encourage national churches to engage in missions.

Scriptures: Romans 10:15, John 15:1-27, Matthew 9:35-38.

 

National Church Groups Engaged in Cross-Cultural Missions

From the individual to the church and then finally to the multi-church association, we encourage many national church groups and church associations to engaged in missions. We seek a culture of outward movement and self-sacrifice as a healthy part of a national church.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 2 Corinthians 9:10-12, Romans 10:15.

 

GLOBAL OBJECTIVES

COUNTRY SEARCH



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