BMW - ECUADOR
BMW missionaries are planting churches in some of the highest mountains on the planet - the Andes of South America.
Ecuador is a small country in western South America that straddles the latitudinal line dividing the world in two. The country's name, Ecuador, is the Spanish word for “Equator”. About the size of the state of Colorado, Ecuador has a population of just over 12 million people. Only 5% of Ecuadoreans consider themselves to be evangelical in the broadest sense of the term. Nearly all of the remaining 95% are Roman Catholic.
Although this country has had the gospel for more than 100 years, it has a lower percentage of believers than any other South American nation. Ecuador is a beautiful land. Its snow-capped volcanoes (some of the highest in the world) glint pure white under the equatorial sun. Yet, its people do not understand that they can know and serve the very God who created these mountains.
Recently, some other missions agencies that have been in Ecuador for many years decided to pull up stakes and move to other places, as they consider Ecuador to be evangelized. BMW does not believe a 5% evangelical population (only 2% may actually be born again) constitutes an evangelized country, and our experience has demonstrated that there is still a great deal to be done in this place.
RIOBAMBA - UP IN THE VALLEY
After several survey trips, consultations, and much prayer and discussion, BMW's team decided to begin their work in the central region of the country. At the outset, the team consists of five families. Due to changes that have occurred in the last year, we now have one couple in Riobamba. Our desire is to see the church there achieve autonomy soon.
The colonial city of Riobamba is nestled in a high valley between the twin ridges of the Andes Mountains. At an elevation of just over 9,500 feet, this city of 140,000 people lies in the shadow of some magnificent snow-capped volcanoes. The granddaddy of them all is Mount Chimborazo, which is nothing short of colossal.Situated 10 miles northwest of Riobamba, it is the highest mountain in Ecuador. Because of its proximity to the equator, Chimborazo's 20,600-foot summit is considered to be the point on the earth closest to the sun.
Founded in 1534 by a Spanish Conquistador, Riobamba gained its independence from Spain on November 11, 1820. Riobamba is widely known as one of the occult centers of the country - cold, unreceptive and even resistant to the preaching of the gospel of Christ. Over 100 years ago a customs agent vehemently declared, "As long as Mt. Chimborazo stands, we will not allow a single Bible into this place."
EQUIPPING NATIONALS TO START CHURCHES
BMW’s purpose is reflected in our approach ministry. Like the legs of a tripod, the three components of New Testament missions as prescribed in Acts 13 and 14 support and stabilize the establishment of new churches which Jesus Christ intended to fulfill the Great Commission:
Evangelism. As in our other fields, our approach is to build relationships with lost people through various means and use every opportunity to proclaim the gospel to them, seeking to communicate the Good News with clear language and model it with consistent living.
Discipleship. As people come to Christ, we need to disciple them - teach them the Bible and model biblical precepts for the purpose of growth and maturity. That cannot be done quickly or superficially, and we are prepared to commit large amounts of time to this indispensable process. Effective discipleship comes not from meetings, but from relationships; not from a curriculum, but from personal training.
Leadership Development. Finally, in order to establish sound churches, we must train leaders in an in-depth manner, seeking faithful men who will be able to carry on the work of ministry. This, too, will require our involvement in the lives of national believers. Mentoring is molding people, not simply imparting information. It is done not only in classrooms, but also in homes and cafés, on mountainsides and riverbanks and city streets. (2 Tim 3.10,11)
MINISTRY UPDATE
Since 2002, when BMW entered the city of Riobamba, we have sought to employ a clear-cut philosophy of ministry. We made contacts by developing relationships with the nationals. This was accomplished by various means, but often by visiting their stores and businesses. As relationships were developed, the team sought to assess the interest in Bible study. As people demonstrated a desire to study the Bible, the missionaries began Bible studies in their homes. (We have developed a series of evangelistic Bible studies which lays a foundation in the Word of God, its authority and the importance it has in people’s lives. Salvation is introduced as the series progresses.) Many of these Bible studies have resulted in people coming to know Christ as their Savior.
Discipleship Bible studies have also been developed and through these studies, new believers are confronted with the importance of the local church. Subsequently, they join with a local church and continue growing and maturing in their faith. An additional series of discipleship studies deals with practical Christian living.
More intensive leadership training has begun among some believers through curriculum produced by the Bible Training Centre for Pastors, with whom BMW is a ministry partner. For more information on this approach to church-based leadership training, visit www.bibletraining.com.
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