Christ to Cayambe

The theme of our ministry is “Christ to Cayambe”.  Jesus’ last command to his disciples was “go and make disciples”.  This Great Commission has continued from that day almost two thousand years ago to today and stretched across the globe from Jerusalem to Ecuador.  Our calling is to represent Christ to the people of Cayambe and introduce them to a relationship with Him that will change them for all eternity.  In our ministry, the fulfillment of that ministry takes shape in four continuous stages.

Introduction to Christ

As disciples of Christ we are called not so much to PREACH Christ, but rather to BE Christ before others.  This simple fact means that our ministry approach in Cayambe must be holistic.  We seek to demonstrate the love of Christ as we proclaim it.  A relationship with Christ seldom comes from a confrontation presentation of doctrine, but rather a slow process of revealed truth.  We reach people for Christ by meeting with them in their homes, doing Bible studies in small groups, helping around the house, working alongside them in community projects, and becoming a part of their daily life.  As they build a relationship with us, they also are introduced to a relationship with Christ.  The moment of decision many times comes after 6 months or a year, but when it is made, it is done with full confidence and conviction.

How it works:

Vicente and Dilia began living together about 18 years ago.  When they met, he brought one son and she brought two sons into the relationship from other partners.  Later they had two girls together.  Dilia met with Brenda in home Bible studies for about 6 months and didn’t seem to be making much progress with her spiritually.  One day Dilia came to us in tears having reached a point of crisis in her relationship with Vicente.  Her statement to us: “Only Jesus can save my family.” On that day she became a disciple of Christ by placing her faith in Him alone for the salvation of not only her eternal soul, but of her family as well.  Six months later, after observing a dramatic life change in Dilia, Vicente also came to Christ in faith.  One of their first commitments as a couple was to be married and make their relationship right before God.  They were married in their home, with their children as the best men and the ring bearers.  Dilia’s oldest son gave his mother away as the blushing bride.

Growth in Christ

When someone becomes a disciple of Christ, one of their earliest desires is to be united with their spiritual brothers in fellowship.  These local bodies of believers we call churches.  While a congregation of believers can take many different forms, from house churches to Mega-churches, the most practical and culturally acceptable form for the church in Cayambe seems to be local, community based congregations.  These church congregations are able to represent Christ in a corporate way directly in their community.  When disciples of Christ are made in a different community, we take that as a sign that God is working to create a new congregation in that community.

How it works:

In Primero de Mayo, a small suburb in the metropolitan area of Cayambe, the people who came to Christ in home Bible studies began meeting together in the local community center.  This congregation continues to grow under Ecuadorian leadership and is seeking to purchase land on which to build a more permanent meeting place for the congregation.

Leadership Development

As a congregation grows, and the individuals within that congregation of believers grow in maturity in their relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to make obvious those He has chosen to become leaders.  Though the gifts necessary for leadership are given by the Spirit, the leaders must also prepare themselves for leadership.  One of our primary roles in the disciple-making cycle is helping leaders get the training they need.  That training comes through formal Bible study, but it is also learned by example and by first-hand experience.  The joy of working with an Ecuadorian team is that those who come to Christ are quickly given ministries in which they can develop their gifts.

How it works:

The church in Primero de Mayo has always had leaders in the making.  From the beginning, Pablo and Dave worked together as co-pastors.  As soon as other men began accepting Christ, a mens’ Bible study group was created. By involving the men in the decision making process early in the life of the congregation, their leadership skills developed quickly. Pablo remains as the primary teaching elder and he has been joined by three deacons from among the congregation.

Reproduction

The completion of the disciple-making cycle is when those being discipled become the disciplers.  This reproduction should happen both on a personal and a congregational level.  It is the natural result of a changed life’s testimony before the world.  When someone becomes a true disciple of Christ, their life is changed.  It doesn’t just affect their eternal destiny.  Instead, it affects every aspect of their daily life: the illiterate learn to read their Bible, couples near separation discover God’s plan for marriage, addicts leave their vices behind, the unproductive become model employees, and harsh bosses become spiritual leaders.

How it works:

In the case of Cayambe, the church that began in the community of Primero de Mayo, has already started reaching out to two more places: central Cayambe and the mountain town of Cangahuapungo.  There is a cell group meeting in the home of one of our deacons in central Cayambe, and evangelistic presentations have been done in Cangahuapungo.