During a recent worship experience in Quito a father lead his children to the front of the sanctuary to testify about how God had changed his life through the Church. After sharing a passionate story of loss and redemption with the congregation this father lead his children in a song to honor our Heavenly Father and edify the church.
The actions of this good Father were stirring. He reminded us of the importance of a father who authentically leads his family. This good father did not try to hide the way he was pre-Christ, he did not revel in his past but for him it was important for his kids to hear about his touring point.
The song this beautiful family sang was a joyful praise to the God that saved them!
We had the joy of worshiping with a new church plant in La Pradera. The church is a work born of the heart of the Rodriguez sisters, some of our pioneering church planters in the Ecuadorian Church of God. This dedicated family definitely has a missionary vision for their country. They have tirelessly worked to establish the gospel in several places.
La Pradera is a new neighborhood north of the El Caldron section of Quito. The church is located on the street named Jesús del Gran Poder (Jesus of Grand Power), an apt name for a church address. Please pray with us as this new work shines the Gospel light in this neighborhood. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”
We were impressed that this work included the children in every aspect of the service. The church was very warm and welcoming.
A lovely time of worship.
Timothy had the honor of preaching over a section in 1John. By an act of the Holy Spirit one of the church leaders read a section of Proverbs during the opening of the worship service that prepared everyone’s heart for the sermon God had given to Timothy.
After church we had the opportunity to travel across town and eat with brother Alejandro Choez and his family. Brother Choez used to serve as the pastor at the Santa Clara Church. Pastor Choez and the Santa Clara Church played a significant role in forming our thoughts and feelings about Ecuador. One of Timothy’s first mission trips to Ecuador was to the Santa Clara church. He joined with a church group from Greenville Tennessee lead by Sister Roma Lee and helped with a construction project on the lower level of the church building. It was a great encouragement to relive some of our shared memories.
Brother Alejandro and family.
One of the great joys of ministry in Ecuador is the encouragement we both give and receive as we walk alongside our brothers and sisters here on the Equator
Time seems to move faster on the Equator! Our last few weeks have been packed with wonderful experiences. We had intended to post these updates in separate posts but we simply have not had the time to sit down at a computer until now. If you read this post really fast it will help you understand how we feel in this awesome, fast paced ministry!
¡El tiempo parece moverse más rápido en el ecuador! Nuestras últimas semanas han estado llenas de experiencias maravillosas. Teníamos la intención de publicar estas actualizaciones en publicaciones separadas, pero simplemente no hemos tenido tiempo de sentarnos en un coumputer hasta ahora. ¡Si lees esta publicación realmente rápido, te ayudará a entender cómo nos sentimos en este increíble y rápido ministerio!
Santa Clara’s Anniversary: Aniversario de Santa Clara:
We were privileged to attended the anniversary service of the Santa Clara Church. Timothy was honored to be one of the preachers during the service.
Tuvimos el privilegio de asistir al servicio de aniversario de la Iglesia de Santa Clara. Timothy tuvo el honor de ser uno de los predicadores durante el servicio.
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It is always encouraging to see our Seminary students as they actively minister in the local church! Jonathan gave an excellent sermon. ¡Siempre es alentador ver a nuestros estudiantes del Seminario mientras ministran activamente en la iglesia local! Jonathan dio un excelente sermón.We loved spending the day with the Santa Clara Church! ¡Nos encantó pasar el día con la Iglesia de Santa Clara!
A Wonderful Day In Pisambilla: Un día maravilloso en Pisambilla:
We needed some video for one of our supporting Churches who are scheduled to visit the Pisambilla Church next year. So we visited Pisambilla and enjoyed a wonderful worship service and then we were able to spend the day with Pastor Carlos and his family.
Necesitábamos un video para una de nuestras Iglesias de apoyo que tiene programado visitar la Iglesia de Pisambilla el próximo año. Así que visitamos Pisambilla y disfrutamos de un maravilloso servicio de adoración y luego pudimos pasar el día con el pastor Carlos y su familia.
It was wonderful to hear Sister Gloria preach, and again it is very encouraging to see our Seminary students faithfully serving their local churches! Fue maravilloso escuchar a la Hermana Gloria predicar, ¡y de nuevo es muy alentador ver a nuestros alumnos del Seminario sirviendo fielmente a las iglesias locales!
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We love spending time with our church in Pisambilla! ¡Nos encanta pasar tiempo con nuestra iglesia en Pisambilla!
Carapungo’s New Work: El nuevo trabajo de Carapungo:
The Ecuadorian Church can’t help but grow! The Gospel message of hope resonates well among a people who need hope.
¡La Iglesia Ecuatoriana no puede dejar de crecer! El mensaje de esperanza del Evangelio resuena bien entre las personas que necesitan esperanza.
One evening we received word from the Pastors of our Carapungo church about a new work that they had started in a town about an hour away from Quito. We were invited to visit next weekend and we are sure to have more information and good photos for an upcoming post.
Una noche recibimos noticias de los pastores de nuestra iglesia de Carapungo sobre un nuevo trabajo que habían comenzado en un pueblo a una hora de Quito. Fuimos invitados a visitar el próximo fin de semana y estamos seguros de que tendremos más información y buenas fotos para una próxima publicación.
This is an exciting time in Ecuador! The Carapungo Church is not the only Church to expand their reach in service of the Gospel. We are aware of five other new works and several Churches that are in the process of joining our movement!
¡Este es un momento emocionante en Ecuador! La Iglesia de Carapungo no es la única Iglesia que expande su alcance al servicio del Evangelio. ¡Somos conscientes de otras cinco obras nuevas y varias iglesias que están en proceso de unirse a nuestro movimiento!
Ten Believers Baptized From The Zabala Congregation: Diez creyentes bautizados de la Congregación de Zabala:
We were honored to attend a baptism service in the beautiful cloud forest town of Pacto. The Zabala Church baptized ten young Christians!
Nos sentimos honrados de asistir a un servicio de bautismo en el hermoso pueblo de Pacto, en el bosque nublado. ¡La Iglesia de Zabala bautizó a diez jóvenes cristianos!
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The river was swift and cold but the service was happy and our hearts were warm. Timothy helped baptize the young believers by standing upstream and being an anchor for each person so that the river would not take them!
El río fue rápido y frío, pero el servicio fue feliz y nuestros corazones fueron cálidos. ¡Timoteo ayudó a bautizar a los jóvenes creyentes parándose río arriba y siendo un ancla para cada persona para que el río no los llevara!
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Pastor Rodrigo baptized all ten believers and then invited each one to attend the Seminary (click here to give finical support or Seminary program) intensive week this year. We sung I have decided to follow Jesus on the banks of the river then we celebrated the Lord’s Supper together.
the Downings
The Downings
