A team from Midwestern Seminary spent 10 days in Manta, Ecuador, partnering with a local church to train believers in evangelism and proclaim the gospel throughout the surrounding community.
Stay updated on stories like this — Get news delivered to your inbox
Led by Joe Allen III, assistant professor of missions, the team traveled May 29–June 7 with Midwestern students Jason Reyna, Adam Collins, and Tasha Vipond, along with Tim Hutchins, a member of Fellowship of Grace Church in Parkville, Missouri. The group served alongside IMB team associates Bronson and Christina Morgan and partnered with Iglesia Bautista el Palmar, a church led by pastor Marcos and supported by director of missions Pastor Darwin.
The trip grew out of a request from local church leaders who asked for a team to help train their members to share the gospel and model evangelism in their neighborhood.
Equipping the church for evangelism
Allen III stated that the seminary’s vision was central to this trip.
“Midwestern Seminary’s emphasis on being for the church came to the forefront as we responded to an invitation from a local pastor to train his church members to reach their neighbors,” he said.
The week began with evangelism training focused on practical gospel witness. Drawing primarily from 1 Corinthians 15 and passages in Romans and John, Allen III taught church members how to clearly communicate the gospel, answer common objections, and call people to trust in Christ.
He also helped believers think through questions they regularly encounter from Roman Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormons before demonstrating ways to begin conversations and transition naturally to gospel discussions.
After the initial training, the team spent each day sharing the gospel throughout the neighborhood surrounding the church. Working in small groups that included Americans, local church members, and translators, they walked door to door, engaged residents in conversation, and invited them to evening worship services.
“The Lord answered many prayers for this trip, including safe travel, team unity, and health, and He poured out abundant grace as we experienced great fruitfulness in our evangelistic efforts,” Allen III said.
Full story.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jonathan Lumley and originally published by the Pathway.
