Ecuadorian churches are growing spiritually through scripture and discipleship

Originally from the United States, Rachel first felt called to mission work as a young adult. She spent many years teaching at an international school in Paraguay, where she first met SIM mission workers and began to understand how her love of education could serve God’s kingdom in other ways. After time in Ethiopia supporting homeschooling families, Rachel officially joined SIM in 2018 and was sent to Ecuador a year later.

As she describes it, God gently moved her out of the classroom and into a wider ministry of equipping others especially through mentorship. “I’m still teaching,” she says, “just not in a school setting. I’m helping people grow in their skill set and walk with God. Little by little, He’s shifted my focus.”

This shift hasn’t always been easy. “Being a single female mission worker has its challenges, especially in cultures where women don’t always have the same voice,” Rachel shares. “But I’ve learned to lean on my male counterparts when needed and stay focused on what God’s calling me to do, investing deeply in mentoring and discipleship.”

Rachel describes her work as a process of multiplication.

“When we train people to lead well and help them discover how to study God’s Word for themselves, they can do the same for others. That’s how the Church grows, not just in size, but in maturity.”

“When we train people to lead well and help them discover how to study God’s Word for themselves, they can do the same for others. That’s how the Church grows, not just in size, but in maturity.”

But this past season has also brought personal challenges and a deeper need for trust in God. Rachel’s sister and her close Ecuadorian friend are both facing cancer. Walking alongside them through this has drawn Rachel into greater dependence on God, and on the community she has been walking with and investing in.

“I’ve had to learn to let people walk with me, just like I walk with them,” Rachel says. “That’s discipleship too. It’s not just what we teach in Bible studies. It’s sharing life, even the hard parts, and showing that our faith is real.”

Rather than pulling back from ministry, Rachel has chosen to invite others into her journey. “It’s been rewarding to keep discipling others through this,” she says. “When they see me walk through difficulty with faith, it encourages their own walk too.”

Despite the challenges, Rachel is pressing forward. She’s also exploring podcasting as a new tool to connect with younger believers and share discipleship resources and theological training  more widely and accessible.

“I want to keep training up Ecuadorians who will carry the work forward,” Rachel shares. “Who’s the next Timothy? That’s what I keep asking. 

My role isn’t just to teach but to prepare people to teach others.”