Iglesia Evangelica Apostolica del Nombre de Jesús

“Can you feel it?” our guide whispered, pausing before the Iglesia Evangelica Apostolica del Nombre de Jesús. “The energy of almost a hundred thousand souls connected by faith?” The Iglesia Evangelica Apostolica del Nombre de Jesús isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to the power of belief, a beacon for Ecuador’s largest non-Catholic religious organization. Founded in 1959, the Iglesia Evangelica Apostolica del Nombre de Jesús, also known as IEANJESUS, emerged from humble beginnings. Its roots trace back to Colombian missionaries who carried the Pentecostal flame across the border. The story begins with Crispiniano Arredondo, a craftsman who preached the Gospel in his spare time near Santo Domingo de los Colorados. He, along with Joaquin Jaramillo, laid the groundwork for this burgeoning faith. In 1958, the first services were held, drawing attention and leading to the arrival of Canadian missionary William Drost. He performed the first baptisms in the Suma River, a symbolic moment for the nascent church. The Iglesia Evangelica Apostolica del Nombre de Jesús continued to grow, fueled by the dedication of missionaries like Miguel Mariano Peña and his wife, Beatriz, who arrived in Quito in 1959. They faced hardships but persevered, witnessing the church expand throughout Ecuador. Over time, the church transitioned from the Iglesia Pentecostal Unida del Ecuador to its current name, achieving legal recognition in 1976. Today, with over 1,000 congregations across Ecuador and a global presence in 18 countries, the Iglesia Evangelica Apostolica del Nombre de Jesús is a force to be reckoned with. It’s a story of faith, perseverance, and the power of community. It’s a story written not just in texts but in the hearts of hundreds of thousands.