Perhaps you’ve wondered about that unassuming building. That is the Iglesia de Dios. Its story in Ecuador is one of faith and perseverance. It began with a humble villa transforming into a sanctuary.
In 1970 Alfredo Bochán felt a calling to Ecuador. He preached the Gospel with fervor. He was under the Assemblies of God. Bochán conducted evangelistic campaigns. These took place in Portoviejo and Ambato. In November 1970 he settled in Guayaquil.
Alfredo Bochán married Betty Andrade Navas in June 1971. They lived in La Chala. The couple sought their neighborhood’s support to start a church. The neighborhood approved. The Bochán Andrade couple bought a property. It cost two million sucres. They secured a loan and repaid it in six years. This small villa in La Chala became the first Iglesia de Dios in Ecuador. It later expanded into a large hall.
Ministers like Rufino Morán and Ramón Mendoza joined Pastor Bochán. The church grew daily. Manuel Ángel Mendoza and Vicente Moreira were early leaders. Families joined too. Carmen Pin and Esperanza de Mendoza led the Ladies Auxiliary.
In 1972 the church published a note in “El Evangelio.” Esperanza de Mendoza reported on the denomination’s progress. The first national convention was held that year. Bishop Williams Alton attended. Manuel Ángel Mendoza began his ministry. He became the youth president. He later became the National Youth Director in 1975.
The Iglesia de Dios started a radio program in 1974. It was called “Cristo Dice.” The denomination reached other provinces through the radio. Irene de Balladares built a temple in Ambato. It could hold 400 people. The church faced persecution in Tungurahua. Some members even gave their lives for Christ. Some pastors were beaten. Indigenous members were rejected. Some had their homes burned. Even in jail, the Christians shared food with their persecutors. The work continued.
Manuel Ángel Mendoza became the first ordained minister. He began in the church’s cleaning ministry. He became co-pastor. In June 1977 he began pastoring a daughter church. It was located on Francisco Segura and Salinas streets. He and his family started five new congregations.
In 1977 the church reached families in Guayaquil’s Guasmo sector. Pastor Bochán and Pastor Mendoza visited and evangelized. José Morán offered a room for services. He became a worker in the new church. Vicente Moreira became the first official pastor. He and his wife accepted the challenge. The neighborhood threatened them during temple construction in 1982. The Iglesia de Dios del Guasmo Norte became the largest temple of the denomination.
A Bible institute formed in Guayaquil in 1978. It helped train ministers. The church offered literacy and nursing courses. They also started a primary school.
Pastor Alfredo Bochán served as the founding missionary. He was the first National Supervisor. In 1984 Pastor Jorge Luis Girón became the National Supervisor. He and his wife Elizabeth moved to Quito. They started the first church in the capital. Guillermo Vásconez pastored it.
The Giróns returned to the USA for theological studies in 1986. Guillermo Vásconez became the interim National Supervisor. During his term, membership grew by 26%. New churches were established.
In 1987 Pastor Juan Fernández became the National Supervisor. He and his wife Isabel focused on indigenous communities. The first indigenous Iglesia de Dios convention was in Palugsha in 1989.
In 1992 Manuel Ángel Mendoza became the National Supervisor. He served until 2006. He emphasized missions and church planting.
In 2006 Pastor Richar René Mendoza Vega became the National Supervisor. He restructured the church administration.
In 2016 Ecuador joined a new Superintendency with other countries. Richar Mendoza Vega became the Superintendent.
Today the Iglesia de Dios continues. It thrives thanks to dedicated pastors and leaders. They confirm their faith. Their numbers grow daily.