Why we're moving to Ecuador!

Many of you know by now that we are moving to Cuenca, Ecuador as missionaries.  Most of you have expressed your support, even though some of you think we're crazy.  We've started this blog to chronicle this journey that started in January 2010 and that will last until God sends us home or calls us to glory.  Over the next few weeks we'll recap some of the events that had taken us this far.  But for now we'll share our vision, the reason we're moving to Ecuador...



We believe that God is calling us to begin a church planting movement in the southern provinces of Ecuador.  Specifically speaking, God has given us a vision for taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unreached and unengaged peoples of southern Ecuador by starting a church planting movement where by disciple-makers are made, leaders are reproduced, and churches are multiplied.

Our intention is to begin this work by planting our first church in the city of Cuenca.  Cuenca is the 3^rd largest city in Ecuador with a population of roughly 500,000, and it is surrounded by many other cities with populations ranging from 4,000-135,000.  For centuries, Cuenca and the southern provinces of Ecuador were cut off from much of the world due to lack of roads and impassable terrain.  Fortunately however, in the 1980’s, doors for the gospel were opened as airports and new roads into the region were built.  Because of this isolation, today Cuenca and the surrounding region still reflect their much of their Indian heritage and a strong colonial influence, leaving most of its 500,000 citizens lost and without Christ.   A majority of its citizens claim to be Catholic, at least culturally speaking, while few have ever heard the gospel.  In fact, recent polls show that as few as 1% of the region may be evangelized.  Sadly, Cuenca is an absolutely beautiful city with beautiful people who are yet lost and without the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In light of this heart-breaking truth, God has placed within us an unquenchable love and passion for the people of southern Ecuador.  We desperately want to reach them with the gospel, plant churches among them, and ultimately train and send them to reach their own.  

What about you? Would you consider partnering with us on this journey of making known the name and fame of Jesus Christ in southern Ecuador?