Imagine refugees seeking shelter in a new land. They carried seeds of faith. These seeds sprouted into the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús in Ecuador. Today we stand before one of its churches in Llano Grande. It is a testament to faith’s enduring power.
The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús is not just a local church. It represents a significant movement. It is the largest non-Catholic religious organization in Ecuador. Its roots trace back to the late 1950s. Political turmoil in Colombia led to a great migration. Among those seeking refuge were members of the Iglesia Pentecostal Unida de Colombia. They carried their faith with them.
Crispiniano Arredondo arrived in 1953 near Santo Domingo de los Colorados. He was a craftsman by trade. But he was a messenger of God by calling. In his free time, he preached the word. Many people embraced Jesus Christ because of his work.
Joaquín Jaramillo also came from Colombia in 1957. He lived in Santo Domingo. He shared the same doctrine. Both men later joined forces. Together they spread the Gospel and the name of Jesus Christ.
The first worship services took place in 1958. News of this reached William Drost in Colombia. He was a Canadian missionary. Drost traveled to Santo Domingo with Pastor Noel Ospina. They performed the first baptism in the Suma River. Lindelia and Ofelia Arredondo were baptized. This was done in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
In 1959, William Drost returned to Ecuador. He baptized 30 new believers in the name of Jesus. The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús continued to grow.
Pastor Averner Larsen recognized the need for a dedicated missionary. Miguel Mariano Peña and his wife Beatriz were chosen. They arrived in Ecuador in October 1959. They first settled in Quito. Later, they moved to Guayaquil. They worked tirelessly. The church expanded across the country despite facing hardships.
Later, Pastor Eliseo Duarte took over the missionary work from 1977 to 1981. His leadership was fruitful. After his service, the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús in Ecuador became autonomous.
From Ecuador, the church’s message spread to other countries. These included Peru, Chile, and even distant lands like Spain and Switzerland. The church’s initial name was Iglesia Pentecostal Unida del Ecuador. It was later officially registered as Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús in 1976.
Today, the church has over 1,045 congregations. Around 350,000 members belong to the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús worldwide. In Ecuador alone, approximately 100,000 people are believers. The church is led by an administrative board and sixteen district boards.
The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús continues to spread its message. It upholds biblical principles. It experiences growth and blessings. Its work is marked by miracles and wonders. All of these serve the salvation of souls. The church perseveres announcing the word of God. Nothing stops it. As you stand here remember the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús began with refugees. It grew into a global testament of faith.