Arriving in the middle of the night, right after the police, to counsel a couple in a violent domestic dispute…

A difficult visit with a couple of the verge of divorce…

Counseling a rebellious teen filled with rage against his parents…

Guiding a young woman in an abusive relationship…

A frantic phone call from a mother whose daughter didn’t come home that night…

This is making disciples.  

In the past two months, we have dealt with a wave of issues both within and outside of our church family. We know God is moving in our midst when the people begin to stir, and while it’s emotionally taxing for us, it’s when we see the most spiritual growth in the people we are discipling. We know that, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3-4). 

Making disciples isn’t just about teaching Bible classes — it’s about living life with people. That includes walking with them through the rough patches of life. It means guiding them with the Word of God through some of the most difficult decisions of their lives. The events and activities we do on a grand scale with large groups are exciting, but the real work is done one-on-one with each person. It’s not newsworthy, but it produces the greatest fruit of the ministry. 

We’ve seen God bring young people back after a period of rebellion. 

We’ve seen God heal couples from old wounds that were destroying their marriages.

We’ve seen God restore children to their parents.

We’ve seen God lead believers through the fire of trials and help them emerge stronger in their faith.

When you pray for an overseas ministry, you are fighting “not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12), but rather you are taking the spiritual fight to the enemy. Your prayers for international disciple-makers may, in a very literal way, be a lifesaver for someone in ministry. I know they have been for us. We encourage you to continue to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for the ministry in Ecuador, and for others all over the world. 

Want to pray for this church in Ecuador? Here's a few ways you can pray specifically:

• Pray for marriages to be strengthened amid a culture of divorce. Pray especially for faith to be the guiding factor to better intimacy and communication.
• Pray for young adults to find their way while transitioning to adulthood.
• Pray for the young married couples and for the couples who are currently living together with plans to get married. Many struggle to put God at the center of their home. 
• Pray for the youth to resist the many temptations that the world offers. The teen pregnancy rate is sky-rocketing here. Half of the girls who have grown up in the church are now single mothers.
• Pray for the next generation of children attending the kids’ club. Pray that their families would come to Christ as well.

Dave and his wife, Brenda, make disciples and lead a church in Ecuador. Let Dave know you prayed.