MBTS team sees gospel fruit in Manta, Ecuador
By Jonathan Lumley, MBTS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A team from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) spent 10 days in Manta, Ecuador, partnering with a local church to train believers in evangelism and proclaim the gospel throughout the surrounding community.
“I was thrilled to hear the good report from the recent trip to Ecuador,” said President Jason Allen. “Jesus has sheep He has died for, and we who are on mission with Him are to be about finding and bringing these sheep into the flock through the preaching of the gospel and strategic missionary work. Thank you to Dr. Joe Allen for his dedication to this call by developing these crucial opportunities for students as they prepare to take the gospel to the nations.”
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 International Mission Board (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
Joe Allen 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 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 said.
The partnership with Iglesia Bautista el Palmar proved especially encouraging. “One of the best features of this trip was the partnership with the local church,” Allen said. “Because at least one church member accompanied each door-to-door group, the church collected over 150 names and contact numbers. We were able to introduce them to church members and invite them to the services. Partnering with the local church gave me confidence that the seeds we planted would be fertilized and cultivated.”
Each evening, the church gathered for worship and preaching. Most services drew around 100 people, while two nights featured community outreach events at local parks. One outreach took place during a neighborhood gathering where families participated in aerobics, volleyball and recreational activities. Later in the week, the church hosted a soccer match that drew local residents and created opportunities to share the gospel with approximately 75 people.
Throughout the trip, Midwestern Seminary students preached during evening services, shared their testimonies and helped mentor local believers as they engaged in evangelism.
SBCV gives toward missionary housing
By SBCV Staff
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — The Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia (SBCV) approved a special gift for the International Mission Board (IMB) during its executive board meeting in May. SBCV churches committed to a $300,000 investment to bless missionary families. This contribution goes toward a new initiative to update apartment-style housing at the IMB’s International Learning Center, where missionaries train before being sent around the world.
These facilities have provided more than 40 years of faithful use and are in need of renovations for upcoming generations of missionaries and their families.
“Virginia Southern Baptists will be able to fully renovate a ‘quad’ housing unit with this gift and express to missionaries and their families our love and support,” said Brian Autry, executive director of the SBCV. “Thank you SBCV churches for your heart to advance the gospel together to reach the nations as we care for IMB missionaries.”
SBCV joins several other state Baptist conventions that have given specifically to this cause.
The SBCV is committed to caring for missionaries — on the field and as they prepare for their service. Gifts will be collected from SBCV churches in a Christmas in July mission project. If you would like to contribute, please visit sbcv.org/ChristmasInJuly.
