“Faithful” That’s the word that comes to mind standing before Iglesia Bautista Jesus Es El Senior. This church represents a story of faith and perseverance in Quito. It’s a story that began with a vision. It’s a story that continues to unfold even today.
Let’s step back in time to understand the Iglesia Bautista Jesus Es El Senior’s roots. The Baptist movement arrived in Ecuador around 1950. Missionaries like W. M. Haverfield and E. G. Croker played key roles. They were sent by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. They started their work in Quito and then expanded to Guayaquil.
Before them, Dr. Harry Schweinsberg scouted Ecuador and Peru in 1949. He sought to establish Baptist missions. An interesting event occurred during his travels. A train controller urged him to continue to Cuenca instead of stopping in Ambato. This simple act saved him from the devastating Ambato earthquake.
In July 1950 Jorge Vásquez arrived in Quito from Cali Colombia. His mission was to work on the Baptist project. Then in September of the same year the Crocker and Haverfield families arrived. The first public announcement appeared in Quito’s El Comercio newspaper in November 1950. The Centro Bautista Cristiano invited people to its conference hall opening. Over 200 people attended. This marked the formal beginning of the Baptist ministry.
Harry Schweinsberg and his wife joined the work in February 1951. They visited Guayaquil and Cuenca. Later that year the Joiner family also arrived to support the mission. The Centro Bautista Cristiano saw a record attendance of 74 people that October.
Early challenges arose. In 1952 five candidates were prepared for baptism. The first baptismal ceremony occurred in the San Pedro River near Quito. Octavio Estrada Elías Enríquez Miguel Ángel Enríquez and Zoila Tenorio de Vásquez were baptized. Soon after the Primera Iglesia Bautista del Ecuador was organized. It had nine members. E. Gordon Croker became the pastor. Jorge Vásquez was named assistant pastor.
Opposition soon followed. A Catholic publication launched an anti-Protestant campaign. Baptists were labeled as “rabid” and “deceivers”. Despite this the Baptist work continued.
The Iglesia Bautista Jesus Es El Senior grew. A mission was established in Quito’s La Tola neighborhood. Seventy people attended the opening service. More baptisms followed. Families like the Carceléns joined the church.
The Baptist movement expanded to Guayaquil in 1954. Howard Lee Shoemake Jones played a crucial role. He and his family started services in a rented building. An advertisement in El Universo newspaper invited the public.
Over time the Baptist churches sought greater organization. The Misión Bautista encouraged the formation of Baptist associations. The goal was to create a national Baptist convention. This vision was realized in 1972.
Today Iglesia Bautista Jesus Es El Senior is part of a larger community. It encompasses over 250 churches across Ecuador. This church stands as a testament to faith overcoming adversity. It represents a community built on shared beliefs. It symbolizes a commitment to spreading their message. It is a living chapter in the ongoing story of faith in Ecuador.