Bill and Ann Mangham

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

One hundred and twelve years. Wow! My heart rejoiced as I stood behind the pulpit with Ecuadorian National Church President, David Muthre, on June 19, 2009. Pastor Muthre presented me with a plaque to present to the U.S. Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), and to the Canadian C&MA in appreciation for 112 years of missionary investment in the country of Ecuador. This was all part of a special celebration service to celebrate the transition of the C&MA Mission from Ecuador.

The evening began with worship songs and prayer. Following this Rev. Miguel Lecaro shared a brief historical summary of the Mission/National Church. Rev. Lecaro has been the Pastor of the Alliance Temple Church in Guayaquil for almost sixty years!

Pastor Muthre shared a message titled, “The Legacy of Alliance Missionaries in Ecuador”. He emphasized five elements that have been passed on as a legacy to the National Church. 1. The legacy of aggressive evangelism. 2. The legacy of intensive discipleship. 3. The legacy of effective administration. 4. The legacy of sound doctrine. 5. The legacy of cross-cultural missions. What a legacy! My heart soared as I thought of the investment of all of the missionaries who have served on the Ecuador field. What a great tribute to their sacrifice and ministries and what a great tribute to God’s faithfulness.

As I listened to Pastor Muthre speak with passion about sending Ecuadorian missionaries around the world I was again reminded of the strategic investment of the Mission in that country.

In the course of the celebration many plaques were presented to Rev. Mike Welty, Field Director for the Ecuador field. Mike and Carol have given godly and strategic leadership to the field and appreciation was expressed to them as they return to the U.S. in July and, following a year of home assignment, retire from active missionary service. All of the missionaries present at the service were asked to come to the platform where they received expressions of appreciation from the National Church and from several local churches. Dr. Bob Fetherlin attended the service to represent the U.S. Alliance Church. He gave words of greeting and expressed his joy to see the Ecuador National Church as a mature church with a vision to send missionaries around the world.

This special celebration service ended with the congregation singing the hymn, “Jesus Only”.

Following the service the National Church Board treated the missionaries and several local pastors to a steak dinner at a local restaurant.

This service marks the official closure of the local C&MA Ecuador Mission. Bruce and Stephanie Beers will conclude their church planting ministry in Guayaquil next year and Paul and Nelda Johnson will finish their final term leading short-term groups. Some missionaries will continue to live in Ecuador and minister in a regional capacity.

One hundred and twelve years is a long time. Hundreds of C&MA missionaries invested their lives well in the Ecuadorian church. Missionary grave markers standing in Ecuadorian soil are a visual reminder of the sacrificial commitment of Alliance missionaries to reach Ecuadorians for Christ. Lives have been transformed, local churches planted, and a strong national church has been established. The C&MA of North America can be proud of its long term investment in the Kingdom in Ecuador.

Missionaries who serve in the Latin America Region join with our fellow missionaries in Ecuador to rejoice with them over the completion of a job well done. It will be exciting in the future to see the Kingdom impact around the world that will result from the continued partnership of the Ecuadorian National Church and the C&MA of North America.

For His Glory,
Bill Mangham
Latin America Regional Director
The Christian and Missionary Alliance

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

1. Pray for the continued growth of the C&MA in Ecuador. Pray that God will send out many Ecuadorian missionaries in the future.
2. Pray for Ann and me as we minister at the Home Assignment Ministies Seminar (July 17-23). Pray that we will be an encouragement to the missionaries attending.
3. We will be traveling to Panama and Colombia, August 15-29. Pray that the Lord will give us wisdom and good connections with national leaders and missionaries.

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