Ecuador | SIM USA

Summary

The Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador are home to some of the most exotic and beautiful species of animals in the world. These islands are just one of many natural wonders that make Ecuador such a beautiful country. At the equator in western South America, Ecuador includes sections of the Amazon rain forest while the Andes Mountains, speckled with ruins of the Inca Empire, tower over the Pacific to the west.

Despite its beautiful landscape, Ecuador has long been marred by political turmoil and poverty. The country’s history has been filled with corruption and rebellion. With political stability always in question, the economy has never been able to support Ecuador’s nearly fifteen million people. While higher global oil prices have helped to reestablish the economy, 35 percent of Ecuadorians still live in poverty.

The Catholic Church in Ecuador has found its position being challenged in recent years by the increasing number of Evangelical churches. It has even resulted in violent actions against churches. Yet the impact of the gospel continues to spread. In 1967, only 120 of the 3 million Quichua were Christians. Today in some areas, almost 50 percent of the Quichua people have come to know Christ as their personal savior.

quick facts

continent:

South America

religion:

Christian 95%, Agnostic 4%, Ethnic religions 1%

capital city:

Quito

language:

Spanish, Quechua

government:

Presidential republic

GDP per capita:

$10,300

literacy rate:

93.6%

population:

17,093,159

major groups of people:

46% Mestizo; 25% Spanish-speaking Quichua; 10% Latin American White; 5% Chimborazo Highland Quichua; 5% Black

POPULATION IN UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:

prayer points

Confidence and training for rural believers who are hesitant to reach out to their families and neighbors with the gospel; passion in local Christians and local churches to come alongside expatriate workers and reach Loja province

More workers living in the rural area who can focus on multiplication, and involve the locals from the beginning, trusting fully in the Holy Spirit

Radio Hope’s two additional repeaters on air, covering two thirds of the Loja province population, making up roughly 300,000 people. Pray for wisdom in creating the content and the impact it will have among urban and rural people

The Equipping Leaders ministries to develop stable, maturing leaders, especially in rural communities, through training programs and ongoing discipleship

Workers to develop SIM’s Sports Friends ministry in rural areas

The partnership with a local sending agency and for impact in the area of mobilizing the church for mission