“Largest non-Catholic religious organization in Ecuador” is quite the title. The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús claims that honor. Welcome to a story of faith, resilience and community.
The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús began in 1958. It started as a foreign mission of the Iglesia Pentecostal Unida de Colombia. Today, the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús has grown exponentially. It now includes more than 1000 congregations. Its influence extends far beyond Ecuador’s borders.
Let’s step back to the 1950s. Colombia faced internal conflict. Many Colombians sought refuge in Ecuador. Some were members of the Iglesia Pentecostal Unida de Colombia. They carried the seeds of their faith. They wanted to share the Gospel of Jesus. Divine intervention allowed the brothers to spread. The good news of salvation was announced in Ecuador.
In 1953, a man named Crispiniano Arredondo arrived from Cali. He settled near Santo Domingo de los Colorados. Arredondo worked as a craftsman. He became the first messenger of God’s truth in Ecuador. He preached the word of God and many believed in Jesus Christ.
Later in 1957, Joaquín Jaramillo also arrived from Colombia. He belonged to the same brotherhood. Jaramillo proclaimed the same doctrine. Many people accepted Jesus Christ. These two servants of God joined forces. They united in proclaiming the Gospel. They preached the glorious name of Jesus Christ.
The first services took place in 1958. News of this reached Colombia. Canadian missionary William Drost traveled to Santo Domingo. He was accompanied by Pastor Noel Ospina. In the Suma River, they performed the first baptism. Lindelia and Ofelia Arredondo were baptized in the name of Jesus. This was for the forgiveness of sins.
In 1959, William Drost made a second trip to Ecuador. He baptized 30 believers in the name of Jesus. These people had already accepted Jesus Christ.
Pastor A. Verner Larsen received an official report. He learned about the events in Ecuador. He conveyed the need for a missionary to Ecuador. The congregation agreed. Pastor Miguel Mariano Peña and his wife Beatriz de Peña were chosen. They went to fulfill this great mission.
In October 1959, the missionary and his wife arrived in Ecuador. They settled in Quito. They would oversee the new work assigned to them. Later, they established their residence in Guayaquil.
These messengers worked with the Holy Spirit’s anointing. They had the support of the Church and its pastors. Despite many adversities, the Church grew. It expanded to different parts of the country.
Years later, a new missionary was needed. Eliseo Duarte was formally appointed. He served with vision and love. He ministered from 1977 to 1981. His work was fruitful spiritually and administratively. After completing his mission, he returned to Colombia. Since then, the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús in Ecuador is autonomous.
The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús extends this message to other countries. These include Peru, Chile and Uruguay. They also minister in Venezuela, El Salvador and Spain. Their work reaches England, Italy and Switzerland. They have locations in France and Costa Rica. The church also operates in Germany, Brazil and Honduras. They are in Bolivia, Israel and the United States.
Initially, the institution was known as the Iglesia Pentecostal Unida del Ecuador. Later, it was legally recognized as the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús. This occurred under Legal Status 2232. It was recorded in Official Registry No. 5 on January 16, 1976.
Today, the Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús is managed by the Honorable Administrative Board. It unites with sixteen District Boards. They are distributed across 16 districts nationwide. The entity has over 1045 congregations. Each has its pastor. The membership includes approximately 100,000 believers.
The Iglesia Evangélica Apostólica del Nombre de Jesús continues to preach the word of God. It shares the good news of salvation. Nothing will stop it.