La Revancha Mission First Sunday Service

The first Sunday service for the mission in La Revancha was February 14. There were kids in the Sunday School class and a group of 22 for the worship and preaching. We're thankful for the team who is serving, and for the faith that tells us God is going to put a great group of people together there.

11th Anniversary of IBB Manta

On February 7, 2016 Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Manta celebrated the 11th anniversary. Our first Sunday service was in 2005. We met in a living room in the Aurora neighborhood. 31 people attended. Over those first couple of years in rented homes, we had some services with just a handful of people. We're thankful for the way God has grown the congregation and led us all toward maturity in Christ.

A highlight of the anniversary service was praying for Pastor Darwin Moreira and his family, along with some of those who feel led to join them in the church planting effort in La Revancha. La Revancha is a large, community outside of Manta where we have felt led to launch a new congregation. Please pray for this new work.

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.

Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Anzalone family. Last week we had a couple of great outreach opportunities. First, the women's ministry has been delivering handmade diaper bags and gifts to the maternity clinic at one of the local community health centers. Our church was invited to participate in the Christmas party held for senior citizens, patient with disabilities, and all of the expectant mothers. We shared presents, candy, puppets, music, and a Gospel message with over 200 people present plus the health center staff and administrators. It was a great opportunity.
Since June, one of the families in our church has been inviting neighborhood children for a Saturday Bible time. This weekend we were invited to attend their Christmas program. The number of kids has grown to between 30 and 40. Parents from the community attended to see the kids sing and portray the Nativity. We also told the Gospel through the Christmas story. Pray for this outreach ministry to continue to grow.

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. 

Baptism Sunday

We are thankful for the way God is faithful to bring new disciples to our family of faith at Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Manta. We regularly see men, women, young adults, teens, and children give public testimony of their new life in Christ by means of baptism. When we first planted the church it was necessary to hold baptism celebrations at the local beach -- a very beautiful, public place--but many in our church family were not able to be present to witness the event. Since we have been using the baptismal pool in the auditorium, everyone present on Sunday morning gets to share in the excitement!
Another blessing in recent years is seeing many of the children who have attended Sunday School since their early years acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This is due to the influence of the real Christian testimony of their parents, and of the faithful ministry of our many fine Sunday School and Children's Worship teachers throughout these 10 years of ministry in Manta. David was baptized on the last Sunday of August, his mother and older sister are also following Jesus. David demonstrates good understanding of the Gospel, but even more importantly, he gives evidence of personal saving faith in Christ.