“A seed of faith.” That is where the story of Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús begins. This church is more than just a building. It represents a journey of faith. It embodies a community’s devotion.
The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús started from humble beginnings. It grew into a significant religious organization. Its roots trace back to 1958. During this time, Colombia faced internal conflict. Many Colombians sought refuge in Ecuador. Among them were believers from the Iglesia Pentecostal Unida de Colombia. They carried the seed of the Gospel.
Crispiniano Arredondo was a key figure. He was a craftsman from Cali. Arredondo dedicated himself to spreading God’s word in Ecuador. Later, Joaquín Jaramillo joined him. Together, they proclaimed the Gospel. The first services took place in 1958. News of this reached William Drost. He was a Canadian missionary in Colombia.
Drost traveled to Santo Domingo with Pastor Noel Ospina. They performed the first baptism in the Río Suma. Lindelia and Ofelia Arredondo were baptized. In 1959, Drost returned to Ecuador. He baptized 30 more believers. The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús was growing.
Averner Larsen, then Superintendent of IPUC, recognized the need for a missionary in Ecuador. Pastor Miguel Mariano Peña and his wife Beatriz de Peña were chosen. They arrived in Quito in October 1959. Later, they settled in Guayaquil. Despite facing hardships, the church grew. It spread throughout the country.
After the first missionary’s term ended, Eliseo Duarte took over from 1977 to 1981. His ministry was fruitful spiritually and administratively. After his successful mission, he returned to Colombia. From that moment on, the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús in Ecuador became autonomous.
The church extended its message to other countries including Peru, Chile and Uruguay. It also reached Venezuela, El Salvador and Spain. England, Italy, Switzerland, France, Costa Rica and Germany were included. Brazil, Honduras, Bolivia, Israel, Romania, the Dominican Republic and the United States also were reached.
Initially, the institution was known as Iglesia Pentecostal Unida del Ecuador. Later, it was legally recognized as Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús. It obtained legal status on January 16, 1976.
Today, the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús has over 1000 congregations. It has approximately 100,000 members. The church is administered by the Honorable Administrative Board. It works with sixteen District Boards. These boards are distributed across the country.
The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús perseveres. It continues to spread its message of salvation. It upholds the doctrines of the Bible. The church experiences impressive growth. It is full of joy and blessings. God’s work is evident through miracles and wonders.
The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús stands as a testament. It demonstrates the power of faith. It shows the strength of community. It embodies the enduring spirit of its members. It is a beacon of hope. It is a place where faith continues to thrive.