Pray for Ecuador

Before the Inca and Spanish empires ruled Ecuador, the nation was once home to a dynamic web of chiefdoms that stretched from the tall peaks of the Andes to the massive expanse of the Amazon rainforest. The descendants of these people continue to call the region home, living alongside and mingling with the children of Spanish settlers. About two-thirds of Ecuador’s people live in cities, where the long spires of Spanish cathedrals tower over rows and rows of colorful homes. Outside the city, the tropical climate and rich soils help farmers grow massive amounts of fruit. Ecuadorians harvest more than eight million metric tons of fruit each year, filling crates with bright yellow bananas, fresh mangoes, and more than 20 other kinds of exotic fruit.

After winning independence from 300 years of Spanish rule, Ecuadorians have sought to help their communities flourish, but decades of political turmoil have stifled development. Since 1979, Ecuador’s presidency has seen frequent, volatile interruptions. When presidents leave office, their successors often reverse progress through major policy shifts. With political stability in constant doubt, the economy has struggled to support Ecuador’s 18 million people. Around a third of the nation’s people are still affected by poverty, and 20 percent of its children are malnourished. Young people struggle to complete their education or find work. Instability has also turned many neighborhoods into strongholds for gangs and drug cartels. Fighting between criminal groups and the abuse of local communities have made Ecuador one of the most violent countries in Latin America.

Roman Catholicism was brought to Ecuador by the Spanish in the 16th century, and its people have largely been Christian ever since. While Ecuador is mostly Catholic, evangelical churches have seen significant growth in the country in recent years. In 1967, only 120 of Ecuador’s Quichua — a large minority group in Ecuador— were Christians. Today in some areas, almost 50 percent of the Quichua people know Christ as their Savior. This story of transformation is spreading across Ecuador’s indigenous communities. However, just like the Catholic Church, numerous evangelical churches in Ecuador are filled with passive members — though passionate believers are calling them to true worship.