A church of refuge<\/h4>\n
In the 1980s, Federation of Indigenous Evangelical Churches of Ecuador-FEINE began to look for theological training for their pastors. As a result, what is now Mennonite Mission Network sent workers to form relationships and support theological training. First, Mauricio and Sara Chenlo, ABMS-trained Argentinians, and later Colombian Mennonites Cesar Moya and Patricia Ure\u00f1a fostered Anabaptist teaching. What is now Iglesia Cristiana Anabautista Menonita de Ecuador (ICAME) began as home bible studies in Quito, Ecuador\u2019s capital city.<\/p>\n
With their eyes and hearts open to their neighbourhood, the church members helping people seeking refuge after migrating from other countries. Outreach to children is a big part of the church\u2019s work. The church has a radical leadership style with a pastoral team comprised of four women.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo demonstrate our beliefs, we live out those beliefs in Christ daily,\u201d say Vietnamese Mennonite pastors. \u201cChristian faith is a \u2018lived-out\u2019 faith, not just a system of beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Relating to other Anabaptist bodies<\/h4>\n![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
ICAME\u2019s Refugee and Migrant Peoples Project at Iglesia Menonita de Quito supports displaced people. Photo courtesy of Iglesia Menonita de Quito<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nConnections to the wider Anabaptist family are tangible through material aid from Mennonite Central Committee, financial aid and mission workers from Mennonite Mission Network and Central Plains Mennonite Conference, and mentorship from IMCOL in Colombia.<\/p>\n
During the pandemic, \u201cWe were able to share what we received from MCC (canned turkey, quilts, school kits),\u201d says Doris Espinoza (ICAME).<\/p>\n
ICAME leaders reached out to ask other churches about their needs were and gave generously from the aid they had received. \u201cThat\u2019s one way we were able to come together to share and to be a community as an example of the kingdom of God on earth,\u201d says Doris Espinoza.<\/p>\n
ICME prepared small kits to share with people who have gone through hard times. The church distributed 700 kits for people who didn\u2019t have a pound of rice or potatoes.<\/p>\n
In May 2022, the three Anabaptist church groups held a retreat.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an opportunity to know there are many more Mennonites in our country,\u201d says Fabian Buenaventura (IEME).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know there are differences,\u201d says Doris Espinoza, but focusing on what they have in common allows the three churches to learn from each other. In so doing, they are better equipped to bring the message of the kingdom of God to others.<\/p>\n
They look forward to future opportunities to build bonds between AnabaptistMennonite brothers and sisters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat has been a great blessing,\u201d says Fabian Buenaventura.<\/p>\n
Living out Anabaptist identity<\/h4>\n
In a Catholic country, the Mennonites are different because baptism comes after declaration of belief in Jesus.<\/p>\n
As followers of Jesus, the Mennonites are \u201cnot just someone who goes to church to worship. We are obedient to the Word of the Lord,\u201d says Vilma Cuji (ICME).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe follow Jesus in our practice, not as a written declaration but as a way of life,\u201d says Fabian Buenaventura (IEME). \u201cThis identifies us in our communities. We need to incarnate the mission. If we don\u2019t live it out we\u2019re just one more denomination.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are peacemakers,\u201d says Vilma Cuji. \u201cWe believe it is better to resolve problems. Our belief in Jesus takes precedence over our external identities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mennonite churches have worked to respond in a holistic way. Not only with the words of the gospel, but also through soup kitchens and child care centres, schools, and a foundation for girls who have been raised on the street. \u201cWe reflect Jesus in our lives, in our actions. We are the hands and feet of Jesus for a world that needs urgently to hear a message of hope,\u201d says \u00c1ngel Castro Le\u00f3n (IEME).<\/p>\n
One way ICME lived out peace convictions was by giving refreshments and sharing meals during a national strike to those who were arriving in Quito from provinces.<\/p>\n
Anabaptism touches on structures and helps to transform society to be more empathetic, less unequal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a peace church but it is impossible to speak of peace when there is no justice; when there is violence, poverty, inequality. Jesus taught a kingdom where all humans could have a more full life,\u201d says Alexandra Meneses Andrade (ICAME).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are focussed on being in the community, not being a closed church,\u201d says Doris Espinoza (ICAME).<\/p>\n
The churches live out the gospel as a holistic message: not just about saving the soul but the well being of the whole person.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne can\u2019t speak about following Jesus if we\u2019re up in the clouds, if we\u2019re not inserted in the reality of society,\u201d says Doris Espinoza.<\/p>\n
Challenges and opportunities<\/h4>\n
The church leaders lament that Ecuadorian society has become violent and corrupt. Many people feel hopeless.<\/p>\n
Having a peace identity may led the church to be silent, to tend to its own spaces. But the church\u2019s challenge is to be present in society, to speak to violence with a message of reconciliation and unity among the churches, says Alexandra Meneses Andrade (ICAME).<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s put all we have learned at the service of society so that we can make a contribution to holistic peace in Ecuador,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverywhere there is a church, we can announce that Jesus Christ is Lord \u2013 not as a religion, but as a God of hope, a God who transforms lives, a God who gives new opportunities, a God who tells us that nothing is impossible for God,\u201d says Fabian Buenaventura (IEME).<\/p>\n
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Connections to the wider Anabaptist family are tangible through material aid from Mennonite Central Committee, financial aid and mission workers from Mennonite Mission Network and Central Plains Mennonite Conference, and mentorship from IMCOL in Colombia.<\/p>\n
During the pandemic, \u201cWe were able to share what we received from MCC (canned turkey, quilts, school kits),\u201d says Doris Espinoza (ICAME).<\/p>\n
ICAME leaders reached out to ask other churches about their needs were and gave generously from the aid they had received. \u201cThat\u2019s one way we were able to come together to share and to be a community as an example of the kingdom of God on earth,\u201d says Doris Espinoza.<\/p>\n
ICME prepared small kits to share with people who have gone through hard times. The church distributed 700 kits for people who didn\u2019t have a pound of rice or potatoes.<\/p>\n
In May 2022, the three Anabaptist church groups held a retreat.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an opportunity to know there are many more Mennonites in our country,\u201d says Fabian Buenaventura (IEME).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know there are differences,\u201d says Doris Espinoza, but focusing on what they have in common allows the three churches to learn from each other. In so doing, they are better equipped to bring the message of the kingdom of God to others.<\/p>\n
They look forward to future opportunities to build bonds between AnabaptistMennonite brothers and sisters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat has been a great blessing,\u201d says Fabian Buenaventura.<\/p>\n
Living out Anabaptist identity<\/h4>\n
In a Catholic country, the Mennonites are different because baptism comes after declaration of belief in Jesus.<\/p>\n
As followers of Jesus, the Mennonites are \u201cnot just someone who goes to church to worship. We are obedient to the Word of the Lord,\u201d says Vilma Cuji (ICME).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe follow Jesus in our practice, not as a written declaration but as a way of life,\u201d says Fabian Buenaventura (IEME). \u201cThis identifies us in our communities. We need to incarnate the mission. If we don\u2019t live it out we\u2019re just one more denomination.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are peacemakers,\u201d says Vilma Cuji. \u201cWe believe it is better to resolve problems. Our belief in Jesus takes precedence over our external identities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mennonite churches have worked to respond in a holistic way. Not only with the words of the gospel, but also through soup kitchens and child care centres, schools, and a foundation for girls who have been raised on the street. \u201cWe reflect Jesus in our lives, in our actions. We are the hands and feet of Jesus for a world that needs urgently to hear a message of hope,\u201d says \u00c1ngel Castro Le\u00f3n (IEME).<\/p>\n
One way ICME lived out peace convictions was by giving refreshments and sharing meals during a national strike to those who were arriving in Quito from provinces.<\/p>\n
Anabaptism touches on structures and helps to transform society to be more empathetic, less unequal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a peace church but it is impossible to speak of peace when there is no justice; when there is violence, poverty, inequality. Jesus taught a kingdom where all humans could have a more full life,\u201d says Alexandra Meneses Andrade (ICAME).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are focussed on being in the community, not being a closed church,\u201d says Doris Espinoza (ICAME).<\/p>\n
The churches live out the gospel as a holistic message: not just about saving the soul but the well being of the whole person.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne can\u2019t speak about following Jesus if we\u2019re up in the clouds, if we\u2019re not inserted in the reality of society,\u201d says Doris Espinoza.<\/p>\n
Challenges and opportunities<\/h4>\n
The church leaders lament that Ecuadorian society has become violent and corrupt. Many people feel hopeless.<\/p>\n
Having a peace identity may led the church to be silent, to tend to its own spaces. But the church\u2019s challenge is to be present in society, to speak to violence with a message of reconciliation and unity among the churches, says Alexandra Meneses Andrade (ICAME).<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s put all we have learned at the service of society so that we can make a contribution to holistic peace in Ecuador,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverywhere there is a church, we can announce that Jesus Christ is Lord \u2013 not as a religion, but as a God of hope, a God who transforms lives, a God who gives new opportunities, a God who tells us that nothing is impossible for God,\u201d says Fabian Buenaventura (IEME).<\/p>\n
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