International World Changers share Gospel in Ecuador

Convert uses teams to plant churches

Lydia DeGozo
International Mission Board

The sound of a church bell rang throughout the Quichua mountain village in Ecuador as Alfredo Chicaiza swung back and forth in the bell tower, announcing the arrival of the International World Changers student volunteers.

“[Alfredo] is a natural helper,” said a missionary who worked with Chicaiza. “He is quiet but consistent, and he and his wife have a deep spiritual understanding.”

This “simple but profound” faith has led Alfredo and his wife, Petrona, to become national church planters. Graduates of the International Bible League, these Quichua believers teach weekly Bible studies to dozens of people in their homes using a simple, interactive teaching guide.

An IWC trip was the catalyst that led Alfredo to become a believer. Nearly four years later, he welcomes IWC teams to Ambato, using their assistance to share the Gospel with vendors and shoppers in the market where Petrona sells vegetables to support his ministry. He also seeks high altitude Quichua farmers who often are overlooked in society.

“[IWC] encourages me right in the middle of the year,” he said. “It allows us to get out into new communities and talk with new people.”

The missionaries host volunteer teams 14 to 18 weeks a year to foster friendships they can use to form new Bible studies and churches. In the past year, dozens of these groups have sprung up with national believers taking the lead.

Without his own transportation, Alfredo arranges rides to villages, often paying $5 to $7 out of his own income. He is thankful for God’s provision and uses his time in these outlying villages to make contacts, build friendships and establish Bible studies.

“The Bible says we should make disciples in all the world,” he said. “We need to help those who don’t know the Word of God.”

• Find stories from other IWC projects and learn about upcoming projects at iwcstories.com.
• Get involved with the peoples of the Americas at americanpeoples.imb.org.

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