A pastoral letter from Anabaptists in Ecuador

praying group

Beloved sisters and brothers: 

A state of “internal armed conflict” has been declared in Ecuador since January 2024. The government continues to struggle against violence from organized crime groups. The three Mennonite national churches in Ecuador – Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Ecuatoriana (IEME – MWC member church), Iglesia Cristiana Anabautista Menonita de Ecuador (ICAME), Iglesia Cristiana Menonita (ICME) – call for prayer from our global Anabaptist family. 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, receive warm greetings from the mountains and the coast of Ecuador.

We ask for your prayers because we know that God desires shalom and well-being for the people of Ecuador and our Mennonite churches. 

Darkness afflicts us daily; our country has transitioned from being an “island of peace” to a pit of gloom. Every day we are told stories of massacres and horror. Today our churches must face unthinkable dilemmas such as weighing whether we should assign a portion of the offering to the drug lords who hold our neighbourhoods to ransom. Doing so would placate them and ensure our congregations could continue to worship together on Sundays. 

We know that God wants a different destiny for us. 

As a community of leaders committed to nonviolence, the three Anabaptist conferences in Ecuador have united to work for peace in our country. However, we know that we cannot do this work alone.  

As such, we ask our dear brothers and sisters to join us in intercession so that the body of Christ becomes one with Ecuador.  

We also ask that you pray for the criminal groups so that violent and violated people may experience the shalom that leads to peace. 

May our combined work to unite various churches, and ways of being church, be a beacon of peace in these troubled and divisive times.  

Please join our Anabaptist brothers and sisters in lifting up Ecuador in prayer. 

In Jesus Christ, our peace, 

Henk Stenvers,
president 
Mennonite World Conference

Andrés Pacheco Lozano,
Peace Commission, chair 

Read about the Mennonite churches in Ecuador

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2 responses to “A pastoral letter from Anabaptists in Ecuador”

  1. Bishop George Ochieng of Kenya Mennonite Church Diocese of Nairobi Avatar
    Bishop George Ochieng of Kenya Mennonite Church Diocese of Nairobi

    Heavenly Father, we come to You today humbly seeking your protection, for for the people of Ecuador more so the families of believers and all of those close to them. Keep them safe while they are awake and watch over them as they sleep.

    Lord, create peaceful surroundings for them . Remove any threats of violence from from their lives and replace them with Your peace

    Merciful Father, we pray for those who have been wounded by violence and earthquake regions of Ecuador, Myanmar and DR Congo . Heal their bodies, minds, and spirits.

    Almighty God, grant the people in these violence prone areas strength in times of adversity. Help them to stand firm against violence

    Righteous Father , we ask for justice to prevail in Ecuador and DRC… May those who commit acts of violence be held accountable.

    Reply
  2. Anant K Masih Avatar
    Anant K Masih

    Prayer for the Ecuador Mennonite Church

    Heavenly Father,
    We lift up the Ecuador Mennonite Church before You today, asking for Your divine protection and peace. Lord, You are our refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble. We ask that You place a hedge of protection around this congregation—around every man, woman, and child who gathers to worship You and serve their community.

    God of mercy, we grieve the violence caused by gang members in the region. You see every wound, every fear, and every act of injustice. We pray that Your Spirit would move powerfully in the hearts of those involved in this violence. Plant seeds of peace in their hearts and minds. Let the light of Christ break through the darkness they are in. Bring transformation, healing, and redemption.

    We ask for courage for the church leaders and members—that they may continue to stand firm in faith, love their neighbors, and be beacons of hope in these difficult times. Let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

    Lord, we know You are near to the brokenhearted. Be near to Your people in Ecuador today. Protect them, strengthen them, and let Your justice and peace flow like a river.

    In Jesus’ name we pray,
    Amen.

    Reply

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