Ecuador: Evangelism and Discipleship

David and Deborah Butts have been engaged in evangelism and have served as missionaries in Quito for more than six years. They represent the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.

Their work is in the Ambato area of Ecuador, where the population is mostly Quechua people, the indigenous Indians of the area. There are almost 2 million Quechua people in Ecuador and Peru, and they are broken into 14 distinct groups.

"As we began our ministry in Ambato, we worked hard at evangelism," remembers David. "God allowed people to come to Christ, then they wanted their friends to hear. The problem was that they always needed to bring their friends and neighbours to me."

David quickly realised this was not effective. There weren't enough hours in the day to develop relationships with so many people. The work was capped by his limited time. "We did addition really well," he says, "but there was no multiplication."

Effective evangelism
When David became familiar with Bible League International's plan for evangelism and discipleship through reproduction, he knew his prayers had been answered.

"Bible League International teaches lay people to do the work of evangelism and discipleship," says David. "And they were able to help us with the various learning levels of the Quechua people we work with. We are so thankful that Bible League International has translated the Bible study materials into Quechua."

The Quechua are very hard working people, but they only make about $5 per day, and that is when they are able to get work. Most live off their small patch of land.

David says, "Before Bible League International came to Ecuador, our people didn't have Bibles; they were simply not accessible on their meager incomes."

Like missionaries around the world, David and Deborah Butts are thankful for the Bible training tools they receive from Bible League International. As they accept the call of the Great Commission, their ministry of evangelism is growing.

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