Iglesia Menonita de Quito
La Iglesia Menonita de Quito, (The Quito Mennonite Church) was established in early 2001 under the leadership of César Moya and Patricia Urueña([1]), Colombian missionaries of Mennonite Mission Network in partnership with the Mennnite Church of Colombia (IMCOL). It is a small congregation in the city of Quito, Ecuador, and it is strongly committed with various ministries such as the project with Colombian refugees, peace education for children, accompaniment to families in need, family bible studies in several sectors of the city- all of this based in the commitment to work for peace, opting for the marginalized and excluded. The Quito Mennonite Church hhas a strong Latin American Anabaptist identity identifying its commitment to nonviolence, a community emphasis to carry out the Gospel, and an preferential option for the poor.
Cesar and Patricia’s led to the birth of another congregation, la Iglesia Menonita de Riobamba, in the city of Rioamba located four hours to the south of Quito. Don and Jan Rheinheimer, North American missionaries of MMN, are now leading this group.
Stories
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"Parejas se comprometen con Cristo y con el uno al otro"
"La Consociedad de Ecuador crea un lugar de paz para los refugiados"
History
During the 90s, evangelical indigenous groups and other churches showed interest in the anabaptist theology and invited anabaptist groups and individuals to the country to contribute academically. The Federation of Evangelical Indegenous of Ecuador (Federacion Ecuatoriana de Indigenas Evangelicos FEINE) invited missionaries of MMN to teach and train pastors and leadrs. The Central Plains Mennonite Conference of the United States and the Colombian Mennonite Church got involved, and so the Moya-Uruena family arrived to Ecuador in early 2000. Initially, the work of the Colombian missionaries was focused on theological education to indigenous leaders and with other institutions.
Moya and Uruena started bible studies with families, and after a year the group began having worship services each Sunday in their homes. Among these families there were Catholics, evangelical Christians, Anglicans, and of independent churches. Although the group did not have Anabaptist background, their style of worship was very much Anabaptist as they shared in community, studied the Bible in group, shared about family and work issues, they helped each other economically, and were committed to peace and justice work.
Today, the congregation has grown with attendance of about 60-70 people, with great participation of Colombian immigrants and Ecuadorian families. During these ten years, two main ministries have developed: the peace education project, and the ministry with refugees.
Ministries
"Educación para la paz" Project (Peace Education)
In 2003, the congregation began its work with children around the neighborhood in education about peace and non-violence, answering to the context of violence with the presence of gangs. Monthly workshops are held with the participation of around 80 children or more.
The project has as its objectives the integral development of boys and girls between 5 and 12 years of age; to improve the quality of life of the families by education their children in values; and to encourage a culture of peace in the Inca sector in the city of Quito. “For more information about this project, click on “Educación para la Paz, Iglesia Menonita de Quito.
Refugee Project
The Refugee Project attempts to accompany Colombian refugees in their time of adaptation to a new life in Quito, Ecuador, after fleeing the country due to the armed conflict and left their homes and often times their families. Through a small program of food aid, small microcredit for them to start their own business, workshops about spiritual and emotional help, finances, domestic economy, business administration, home visits, and pastoral visits, the project wishes to give the necessary tools so that Colombian refugees can sustain themselves, to live with dignity, and have a healthy and integral life. The Refugee Program is an ecumenical Project between the Mennonite Church and the Episcopal Church. The congregation rents a “house of refuge” for refugee families, providing shelter for a few months to those families seeking refuge. For more information, go to [ http://anabautistasenecuador.org/refuigado.php Proyecto Refugiados, Iglesia Menonita de Quito.]
