August 26, 2009
By Bruce and Stephanie Beers, serving in Ecuador
We have experienced God’s faithfulness in many ways in our lifetime, and recently we had the opportunity to look back at His faithfulness in the country of Ecuador. We had the privilege of being part of a “thanksgiving service,” initiated by the national church, as the mission officially “passed the torch” to our national brethren. It was gratifying to see many of our seminary students, now in full-time ministry, and listen to testimonies of God’s steadfast love throughout the years.
A Fruitful Harvest
The Alliance entered Ecuador in 1897. Over the past 112 years, His faithfulness has been amazing. Thousands of people have come to the Lord, and 300 Alliance churches have been established throughout the country. Those of us on the platform that night felt humbled and unworthy to be standing there. The real heroes were the first missionaries who came in those early years, suffered persecution, or laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel. We have been reaping what they sowed.
Fishers of Men
Last month we spent most of the day in a boat with a group of friends, some of whom would never walk through a church door. We visited an island in the Gulf of Guayaquil, and I was reminded of a fishing analogy. A fisherman once told us that they always have to wash their nets really well after they haul in a catch; if they don’t, the fish can smell “death” in the net and will swim away as fast as they can.
Sometimes I think that if we use the same old methods while “fishing for men,” the people can smell us a mile away and will run for the hills. The Lord has been challenging us to use creative means to reach others who really have no plans for being “caught.”
We are aware that over the years, not only has God been faithful, but all of you also have been faithful in praying for us, and we are so thankful for that. Please keep up the great work! We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for your prayers and giving to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. Many people have met the Great Fisherman and lives have been transformed as a result of your sacrifice.
We will finish out our four-year term next year and expect to be reassigned to another Latin American country after home assignment. We can transition from there, knowing that God’s faithfulness will continue, that He will continue to build His Church, and that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Thanks again for being our fishing buddies.
Learn More
Check out Alliance work in Ecuador.
What You Can Do
- Praise God for His faithfulness to Alliance missionaries and their national colleagues in Ecuador.
- Rejoice with them for a strong national church that is fully committed to completing the Great Commission.
- Pray for God’s continued blessing on the Ecuador national church.
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.