ENCOUNTER NEWSLETTER
Issue 21 - 2024
WHEN LIFE CRUMBLES:
BLANCA’S JOURNEY
Blanca and her son Jonathan at the 30th anniversary of the República Church
Blanca’s life crumbled in 1998. Her husband of 20 years walked out the door. Among many other disagreements, their inability to have children led to divorce. Everything that made life meaningful left with him. Blanca felt powerless to deal with the loss. Severe depression set in. Not one, but two suicide attempts followed.
To lash out at the pain life dished out, she turned to a life of partying. But loneliness still greeted her each night she stumbled home. So she ran. She left Quito, Ecuador, and ran all the way to the United States.
No matter what she tried, she failed to grab onto hope.
Blanca’s Self-Prescribed Cure
Blanca decided there was one cure for her pain. Achieving a long-held desire to become a mom. She returned to Quito and, miraculously, was able to adopt a 3-month-old baby boy, Jonathan. Jonathan brought a brief sense of purpose. Yet, the void remained, exacerbated by her ex-husband's death from Leukemia.
Desperate Measures & Dire Actions
In 2004, urged by her sister, Blanca sought counseling at La República Church. During a pivotal two-hour meeting with a counselor at the church, she opened her heart to the love and forgiveness of Jesus.
Blanca admits life didn’t magically fall into place. But she and Jonathan began attending the church, and she joined the Bible Academy. Through persistent trials, including legal battles with her ex-husband's second wife, Blanca found solace in the unwavering support of her church community.
Love Wins
Gradually, with the kindness and forgiveness she received from Jesus and the kindness and support she received from La República Church, she was able to give to those who hurt her. Where there was once pain, there is now peace. It’s not uncommon now to see Blanca sharing a table with her ex-husband's second wife.
And with support from church leaders, Blanca revealed Jonathan’s adoption to him. His initial response jolted Blanca. “Should I call you mom or madam?” he protested. Days later, love won again. He declared, “Mom, it doesn’t matter that I didn’t come from your belly. I am still your son, and you are still my mom.”
Along the way, many men from the church community have stepped in to be role models and father figures for Jonathan. Today, Blanca and Jonathan are active members of the República Church, volunteering in the children’s ministry and different church activities.
“I know that with God, everything is possible, even forgiving the hardest things. Your job is to accept the love of Jesus Christ. He will transform your heart.”
Blanca’s story is a testament to the transformational love of Jesus and the incarnational community of La República Church, enabled by generous donors like you. Your support makes you a vital part of these life-changing stories.
To lash out at the pain life dished out, she turned to a life of partying. But loneliness still greeted her each night she stumbled home. So she ran. She left Quito, Ecuador, and ran all the way to the United States.
No matter what she tried, she failed to grab onto hope.
Blanca’s Self-Prescribed Cure
Blanca decided there was one cure for her pain. Achieving a long-held desire to become a mom. She returned to Quito and, miraculously, was able to adopt a 3-month-old baby boy, Jonathan. Jonathan brought a brief sense of purpose. Yet, the void remained, exacerbated by her ex-husband's death from Leukemia.
Desperate Measures & Dire Actions
In 2004, urged by her sister, Blanca sought counseling at La República Church. During a pivotal two-hour meeting with a counselor at the church, she opened her heart to the love and forgiveness of Jesus.
Blanca admits life didn’t magically fall into place. But she and Jonathan began attending the church, and she joined the Bible Academy. Through persistent trials, including legal battles with her ex-husband's second wife, Blanca found solace in the unwavering support of her church community.
Love Wins
Gradually, with the kindness and forgiveness she received from Jesus and the kindness and support she received from La República Church, she was able to give to those who hurt her. Where there was once pain, there is now peace. It’s not uncommon now to see Blanca sharing a table with her ex-husband's second wife.
And with support from church leaders, Blanca revealed Jonathan’s adoption to him. His initial response jolted Blanca. “Should I call you mom or madam?” he protested. Days later, love won again. He declared, “Mom, it doesn’t matter that I didn’t come from your belly. I am still your son, and you are still my mom.”
Along the way, many men from the church community have stepped in to be role models and father figures for Jonathan. Today, Blanca and Jonathan are active members of the República Church, volunteering in the children’s ministry and different church activities.
“I know that with God, everything is possible, even forgiving the hardest things. Your job is to accept the love of Jesus Christ. He will transform your heart.”
Blanca’s story is a testament to the transformational love of Jesus and the incarnational community of La República Church, enabled by generous donors like you. Your support makes you a vital part of these life-changing stories.
EXTEND THE LIFE-GIVING LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST
IN LATIN AMERICA!
IN LATIN AMERICA!
Gifts to CMI will help develop churches and make disciples in Latin America’s most influential cities.
By partnering together, you’ve changed the forever future of over one million individuals who now belong to Christ.
By partnering together, you’ve changed the forever future of over one million individuals who now belong to Christ.
THE REPÚBLICA CHURCH CELEBRATED THEIR
30TH ANNIVERSARY IN QUITO, ECUADOR
30TH ANNIVERSARY IN QUITO, ECUADOR
On July 7th, the República Church celebrated their 30th Anniversary. The first daughter church in the Quito Movement, República was formed in 1994 when a team of missionaries, Ecuadorian pastors, and members from the Batán Church began services in a tent. The church grew very rapidly and pioneered a strong cell group ministry that served as a model for many other churches. Today, the church is the most visible evangelical church in Ecuador and is noted for its rich Bible Academy discipleship program.
1994: The church began in a tent, but quickly built a temporary auditorium.
1996: CMI’s then Executive Director Jim Murray visits the construction of the Christian Education building.
2007: With help from CMI, a 1,200-seat worship center is completed and grows to be one of the leading churches in Ecuador.
2024: Church members and leaders with connections to early years of the church received special recognition at the 30th Anniversary Celebrations.
2024: Mark Searing presenting a recognition to the República Church on behalf of CMI for their 30th anniversary.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
In 1985, Wendy’s Restaurants released an iconic television commercial that I never forgot. It’s been almost 40 years, it still makes me laugh.
The ad came out at the height of the Cold War and portrayed a Soviet fashion show. As a violin plays an upbeat folk tune, an announcer dressed to the chin in a military uniform introduces a model that walks the runway three times displaying “daywear,” “eveningwear,” and lastly “swimwear.” The punchline was in the visual. Every single outfit was the same plain, gray dress.
The ad most certainly stereotyped Soviet life, but the humor landed because the Soviet image at the time was a place of bland efficiency. Functional, but cold and lifeless. And if we are honest, there is a part of us that is drawn to that kind of security, simplicity, and predictability. Even in the Church, when something works, we try to clone it.
But sameness just isn’t the way God works. God rarely does anything the same way twice. Snowflakes are snowflakes, but each one is different. Even genetically identical twins have different interests and personalities. While underlying principles of ministry can translate, they must be embodied differently in each context.
These thoughts have been on my mind since my most recent trip to Ecuador. As I met with leaders of the various churches we helped form, I recognized the shared DNA – a common mission, a common message, and a common vision for their city and nation. And yet, every one of these churches is unique. Each has beauty and gifts that stand out from the others.
Like a prism, each refracts the light of Christ in different ways. One stands out for its evangelistic work. Another for its discipleship. Others for their commitment to the poor or passion for global missions. They are elements existing in all the churches but shine with different brilliance in each. And in their diversity, they strengthen one another bringing greater hope of seeing cities and nations transformed for Christ.
In Christ,
Craig Murray
Executive Director
Church Ministries International
The ad came out at the height of the Cold War and portrayed a Soviet fashion show. As a violin plays an upbeat folk tune, an announcer dressed to the chin in a military uniform introduces a model that walks the runway three times displaying “daywear,” “eveningwear,” and lastly “swimwear.” The punchline was in the visual. Every single outfit was the same plain, gray dress.
The ad most certainly stereotyped Soviet life, but the humor landed because the Soviet image at the time was a place of bland efficiency. Functional, but cold and lifeless. And if we are honest, there is a part of us that is drawn to that kind of security, simplicity, and predictability. Even in the Church, when something works, we try to clone it.
But sameness just isn’t the way God works. God rarely does anything the same way twice. Snowflakes are snowflakes, but each one is different. Even genetically identical twins have different interests and personalities. While underlying principles of ministry can translate, they must be embodied differently in each context.
These thoughts have been on my mind since my most recent trip to Ecuador. As I met with leaders of the various churches we helped form, I recognized the shared DNA – a common mission, a common message, and a common vision for their city and nation. And yet, every one of these churches is unique. Each has beauty and gifts that stand out from the others.
Like a prism, each refracts the light of Christ in different ways. One stands out for its evangelistic work. Another for its discipleship. Others for their commitment to the poor or passion for global missions. They are elements existing in all the churches but shine with different brilliance in each. And in their diversity, they strengthen one another bringing greater hope of seeing cities and nations transformed for Christ.
In Christ,
Craig Murray
Executive Director
Church Ministries International
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