Ordination

On October 16, Pastor Darwin Moreira was ordained for the ministry as lead pastor of Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Manta. Pastor Darwin has been a part of the church since beginning to follow Jesus in 2005, back when the congregation had just started meeting. He has served for 6 years as assistant pastor and recently led the launch of a new congregation near Manta. We are excited about the future of the church under Darwin's leadership.

A Good Start to the Year 2016

We have had a good start to 2016, with a theme of "Healthy Church" and with 3 disciples of Jesus Christ being baptized on the final Sunday of the month of January. We're expecting great things this year. February is going to be awesome! We'll have our 11th anniversary service, and then launch a new church plant.  A new ministry to provide afternoon child care to families in crisis will be started in partnership with Inca Link. Full speed ahead in 2016.

Food Pantry Christmas Party

On Saturday, December 5, the church prepared a Christmas activity especially for the women and children of the households served by the food pantry ministry, Bendecidos para Bendecir. The Women's Sunday morning Bible class prepared food, games, arts and crafts, and a special devotional. The children were treated to a great program of puppets, music, refreshments, stories, and candy, all prepared by our generous Sunday School staff. The men and teens who were present were given a New Testament, and heard a personal explanation of the Gospel story. Every "ministry client" received the usual box of staple food items, plus fresh vegetables and chicken. Thanks to generous donors of extra money, we were able to provide over 90 children with Christmas gifts to take home too! Everyone, both givers and receivers, were joyful, blessed, and grateful. Pray for this ministry as Gospel seed is planted and hard ground is cultivated and watered, that God will give a great harvest.

November 2015 Prayer Report

Help Wanted

Our November prayer report relates three areas where we need your help in prayer and giving. Here is a brief summary, but you can download the full report from this link: Anzalone Prayer Nov 2015

1. The Taylors have been serving with us as short-term missionaries for over 18 months. They need more financial support.

2. The church in Manta will be sending out and supporting Pastor Darwin Moreira and his family to plant a new church in the Manta area. You can help with the start-up and support of this new work.

3. Our food pantry ministry has been going strong for 7 months. We need your help in order to take the next steps in this service opportunity.

Contact us if you would like more information about being a partner in giving. 

May 2015 Prayer Report

We have been working with our church in Manta, Ecuador to get two new ministries off the ground. These are outreach and service ministries designed to put “Love in Action” around our church and community.

One of these is called Bolsas de bendición, (Bags of Blessing). Women of the church make small diaper bags, receiving blankets, and bibs. They fill the bags with other needs for newborns. Then they visit maternity clinics and local hospitals to give these gifts to moms of newborns, to pray with the mothers, and share some loving kindness. Doors have already opened for sharing God’s love and the message of the Gospel. One of the local clinics has invited the women’s group for weekly visits to speak to needy moms.    

 The church has also started a food pantry. The ministry is called Bendecidos para bendecir, (Blessed to Bless). Needy families are invited to receive a generous amount of 20 to 25 basic food items once each month. On May 3, we served our first group of 20 households. Besides food, our clients receive an evangelistic message, personal prayer and counseling, and a warm, loving welcome from those who serve. Both givers and receivers experience immense joy!

Please pray that these ministries and other service and outreach projects would bring a spiritual harvest. We would be very grateful for any special monetary donations that you may be led to give for these projects. Please contact us to find out how to be a partner with our church in putting “Love in Action” in Manta.