FAQ’s

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1.     What is the specific ministry you are doing in Ecuador?

2.     When do you return to the United States?

3.     How long does church-planting take?

4.     How did you feel led to go to Ecuador for ministry?

5.     Where and how did you learn Spanish?

6.     How can I find out more about CrossWorld?

7.     How can we get in touch with you in Ecuador?

8.     How can I arrange to support your ministry?

9.     Is it possible to visit the ministry there and/or send teams to help?

Q.     What is the specific ministry you are doing in Ecuador?

A.      CrossWorld is a church-planting mission.  We church-planters assigned to Ecuador, and more specifically, the area of Cayambe. Church-planting means that we go to population centers that do not have a like-minded church and start one.  This involves activities like evangelistic crusades, door-to-door visiting, kids clubs, Bible studies in homes, worship services, and leadership training.  We are working with an Ecuadorian team from the church in El Quinche to plant a cluster of churches in the canton of Cayambe.  For more on our specific task, visit the “About Us” section of this website.   Back to top.

Q.      When do you return to the United States?

A.      Our stay here in Ecuador is based on terms.  After completing each term, we must return to the US for a period of “Home Assignment” which gives us the opportunity to reconnect with family, with supporters and friends of the ministry, and with life in the USA.  It also gives us a needed break from the stresses of life overseas.  The length of each term varies.  We have recently completed our first term of four years and are currently on home assignment for a year.  When we return for our second term, we anticipate staying for 2 years and coming back to the US for six months. We believe shorter terms and shorter periods of home assignment are healthier for us and for the ministry.  Back to top.

Q.      How long does church-planting take?

A.      Church-planting is not a short-term process.  Being church-planters in Ecuador is a career decision for us.  We are anticipating at least a 10-15 year process before a cluster of churches in Cayambe reaches maturity.  The process of church-planting means that we want the church to be as Ecuadorian as possible and led by an Ecuadorian pastor who is doctrinally sound.  Evangelism in Ecuador takes time, spiritual maturity takes time, leadership development takes time, but from our perspective it’s time spent building Christ’s Kingdom.  Back to top.

Q.     How did you feel led to go to Ecuador for ministry?

A.      The story of how God led us to Ecuador is written in detail on the page titled, Our Story.  Back to top.

Q.      Where and how did you learn Spanish?

A.      Although Brenda already knew a great deal of Spanish from her time living with her parents in Ecuador, Dave knew virtually no Spanish at all.  Therefore, the year before we began our ministry in Ecuador was spent in language school.  Language school is a one-year intensive course to prepare us for ministry in a Spanish-speaking culture.  CrossWorld sent us to El Instituto de La Lengua Española (or, The Spanish Language Institute) in San Jose, Costa Rica.   They have an excellent website describing their work in great detail.   Back to top.

Q.      How can I find out more about CrossWorld?

A.      CrossWorld has an excellent website detailing their history, doctrinal statement, and ministries around the world.  Their web address is www.crossworld.org.   For information in print, you can E-mail us at david.meyer@crossworld.org and we’d be happy to send you hardcopy brochures.  Back to Top.

Q.      How can we get in touch with you in Ecuador?

A.      We love to hear from our friends and family back in the US.  Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, communication back and forth is easier than ever.  With Internet phones, calls can be cheap.  We welcome any type of correspondence through the mail as well.  Unfortunately, UPS and FEDEX-type packages are very expensive to receive here, so it is always better to use the US Post Office.  Just make we know something is coming if it’s a package.  Please try to keep packages at less than 2 kg to avoid excessive customs taxes.  Of course there is nothing faster and more reliable than E-mail, so please feel free to write us.  If you are not currently receiving regular updates by E-mail, please let us know so we can add you to our mailing list.  All of our contact information can be found on our contact page.  Back to Top.

Q.      How can I arrange to support your ministry?

A.      There are several ways you can arrange your financial support.  While we are looking for regular monthly support, we gratefully accept special gifts.  Regular support can be arranged on a yearly, quarterly, or monthly schedule.  CrossWorld can set up an automatic withdrawal from the account of your choosing, you can send a check by regular mail, or any number of other types of transactions.  Which ever way you decide to give, you will receive a regular statement and tax deductible receipt.  Of course, your local church may be set up to funnel resources through a faith-promise giving system as well.   If there is a unique arrangement you would like to make, please send us an E-mail and we’d be glad to discuss the details with you.   CrossWorld has several expert staff members to assist in special transactions and tax-deduction laws.  If you’d like to join our support team, drop us an E-mail or contact CrossWorld directly explaining your intentions.  All the contact information can be found here.   Back to top.

Q.     Is it possible to visit the ministry there and/or send teams to help?

A.      There is no better way to become more involved in the process of planting churches in Ecuador than to come and see it for yourself.  Our doors are always open to receive visitors for any length of time.  Whenever someone comes for a visit, they always return more excited about the ministry.  We welcome ministry teams as well.  Part of our role in the local church back home is to help develop a strong missions heart within the church.  Experience has taught us that the best way to get your church excited about missions is to send a team to the mission field.  Teams come to do all kinds of ministry from medical and social work, to construction projects and evangelism and kids clubs.  We’d love to show you what life is like here in Ecuador.  If you’d like to come for a visit, just let us know.  Back to top.