Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Upon this rock I will build My church” is one of the powerful statements that Jesus pronounced in Matthew 16:18. Since then the Lord Jesus has not rested in carrying on his mission. The dynamics the Lord has used for the expansion of His kingdom in Ecuador is amazing. It’s real and it is happening in areas of the country where poverty and darkness had the control of people, families, and communities. In Jesus’ name children are being released from the oppression of poverty, families are being saved and new churches are being planted.
My name is Sixto Gamboa. Though I have been serving with Compassion for a number of years in different positions, I have been recently hired as National Director. Ecuador is a gorgeous country because of the beauty of its nature and its wonderful people. Sadly, inequity and other social factors have caused much poverty and hopelessness. Yet the preaching and teaching of the Good News are bringing good results. Compassion Ecuador has indeed been a key instrument to fight against poverty since 1974 and in this way to build Jesus’ Church.
It is over six years since God started challenging Compassion Ecuador to push boundaries into more remote areas of the country. It was determined that church partners had the means to get involved in church planting and move strategically to areas of poverty near them where there was no gospel witness. Also, Compassion began to find new church partners with vision and potential to take the challenge of planting of new churches and serve children. With God as a guide, church planting began. Since then and against many obstacles and challenges, our Lord has shown that He is the Lord of this ministry.
In the process, Compassion has learned many valuable lessons.Together, church partners, Compassion Ecuador and key stakeholders are part of the blessing of having planted more than 70 new churches in Ecuador.
The Christian community and the non-Christian have witnessed the miracle of God which is the presence of new churches serving children in dynamic ways. This has an even greater impact which is adding more families and people to the new congregations. These new churches are the very presence of God transforming and healing children and families. Thousands of infants and children are receiving care that Compassion and the church provide for them.
“The fight is not against flesh and blood,” said the apostle Paul and so it is true when Christ followers get involved in the task of church planting. This is certainly a new season for Compassion Ecuador. God is building His church and Compassion is a chosen instrument to facilitate, serve the poor communities of Ecuador and join hands with the church here and the church elsewhere.
As heavens rejoice when children and people in general come to know the Lord and a new church is planted, also our hearts are deeply touched. On behalf of Compassion Ecuador, our churches and our people, I want to share my joy and express my gratitude for partnering with us. It is God’s will that we will never stop doing it. God bless!
In Christ,
Sixto Gamboa
Ecuador National Director
