Youth Camp and Women's Retreat

Youth and youth ministry leaders worked hard in the weeks before camp to raise money and to be prepared for a great week at camp. They attended a camp organized by a group of churches in another region of Ecuador who were kind enough to invite our church. It was held at Campamento  Bautista El Prado near Santo Domingo. The young people from Manta had a great time! They grew in faith and unity. When they returned, they were so excited that they organized a two-day youth retreat at our church with even more young people participating. God is at work in IBB Manta's youth ministry.

Women from IBB Manta were invited to a women's retreat at Campamento Cristiano Emaús. 10 women from the church attended the three-day event. They were blessed by the fellowship and outstanding conference speakers. Their report included encouraging the church's women's ministry to invite the speakers for a conference at the church in the future. We are grateful to Iglesias Bautista Rey de Vida for inviting our church to participate in camps and retreats.

Prayer Report March 2016

This month's prayer report features a lot of information about one of our Love in Action ministries, the food pantry. We call it Bendecidos para Bendecir, (Blessed to Bless) because God's blessings in our lives are for the purpose of blessing others.

Anzalone Prayer Report March 2016

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.