Personal Evangelism in the Banana Capital of the World

Non-profit faith based Short-term Volunteer Mission Projects designed with a clear focus on church planting in rural areas of the world.

I Saw God Do It!
with
Wil & Ann Pounds

Evangelism in the "Banana Capital of the World"

"Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).

Machala, Ecuador is one of the largest banana exporters in the world and calls itself the "Banana Capital of the World." Other high exports are coffee, shrimp, and cocoa shipped out from nearby Puerto Bolivar.

The coastal highway toward this Pacific port city plows through hundreds of miles of vast swaths of banana plantations in every direction. An hour further south lies the Peruvian border.

Machala, Ecuador city park
City plaza in Machala, Ecuador

Miles and miles of banana plantations in Machala, Ecuador

Cacao growing in Machala, Ecuador
Cacao from which chocolate beans are extracted growing in Machala, Ecuador

There are two universities, numerous private schools, and a strong evangelical work in the city. There are three Quichua bilingual (Spanish and Quechua) churches in Machala.

There was excitement in the Quichua church when I arrived. They had been requesting our evangelism conference for over a year. I began the four day evangelism conference on Sunday night and spoke to a packed congregation about "Bad News – Good News." I took them down the Roman Road to share how easy it is to present the plan of salvation to a friend.

Personal evangelism demonstratin in Machala, Ecuador

One of the many demonstrations on personal witnessing at the conference

Each participant received a free copy of my workbook on personal evangelism, and a free pocket New Testament in Spanish. I taught them an easy way to mark their New Testament with the plan of salvation, and then gave a demonstration on how to use their testaments in sharing Christ with unsaved friends. The class was divided into groups of three and each person practiced witnessing in a safe learning environment. We then went out witnessing for an hour.

Students practicing personal evangelism in class

Participants practice sharing the plan of salvation with one another.

Small group participation in personal evangelism workshop
We also use small groups to teach eternal security and discipleship.

Evangelism workshop in Machala, Ecuador

Small study groups at Abide in Christ evangelism conference in Machala, Ecuador

Quichua youth studying personal evangelism in Machala, Ecuador
Quichua youth studying at Abide in Christ personal evangelism workship in Machala, Ecuador.

These workshops on evangelism and Bible doctrine are also used to create interest in beginning Peniel Theological Seminary extensions in new locations throughout Ecuador.

I also taught a 40 hour classroom course for Peniel Seminary on the Cults in Pallatanga, Ecuador. This is in response to the eight presentations I gave at the Quichua National Pastor's Conference in Otovalo. In February 2014, Peniel will begin an extension with 30 students in Guayaquil, the largest city in the county.

Peniel seminary extension in Pallatanga, Ecuador
One of the small study groups preparing Bible response to a cult at the Pallatanga seminary class

Peniel Theological Seminary Pallatanga extension class on cults
Class on the Cuts at Peniel Theological Seminary extension in Pallatanga

what you can do

Partnership missions give you an opportunity to become personally involved in what God is doing in world missions. Pray daily for the work in Honduras. Give financially. We are a faith mission and are dependent upon your financial gifts. Please pray about becoming involved in the support of our mission. "As long as the Lord provides I will give ... $25 $50 $100 $___ a month."

Current Needs:

q Pastor and Church Leadership Training Ministry in Ecuador. Each trip costs approximately $4,000 and covers airplane tickets, room and board, rent for truck, gas, local workers, textbooks and food for students.

q Pray for evangelism saturation teams to do door-to-door evangelism and rallies at night.

q Pray for scholarships for Peniel Seminary students in Riobamba, Ecuador.

q Pray for Evangelism Workshops with Nicaragua Baptist pastors.

q Pray for wisdom to know where the Lord is leading to conduct evangelism workshops, and where to focus teaching ministry. We have been asked to return every three months and teach Ecuador pastors.

q We are presenting one-day, three-day weekend, and one week Evangelism Workshops for pastors and church leaders in churches in Latin America.

q Pray for Alberto & Nancy Copa

Alberto Copa Director of Peniel Theological Seminary Riobamba Ecuador

Alberto Copa with his wife Nancy

Alberto is a pastor and leader in the Quechua Evangelical Churches in Chimborazo Province, Ecuador. He is Director of the Peniel Theological Seminary in Riobamba, Ecuador. He has over 20 years' experience pastoring bilingual churches in Ecuador. He and his wife are both graduates of an evangelical seminary in Bolivia.

q All gifts to Abide in Christ are tax deductible under IRS 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status.

Abide in Christ, Inc.

P.O. Box 17921
Hattiesburg, MS 39404
(601) 408-9874
Wil & Ann Pounds

Up-to-date mission reports and prayer requests:

www.AbideInChrist.com/missions/

"Expect great things from God! Attempt great things for God!"

I Saw God Do It! with Wil & Ann Pounds

Evangelism in the "Banana Capital of the World"

what you can do

Abide in Christ, Inc.

"Expect great things from God!
Attempt great things for God!"

I Saw God Do It!
with
Wil & Ann Pounds