The Riobamba Norte Iglesia Del Nazareno in Riobamba, Ecuador, baptized 36 people on 31 January 2021 at the Sierra Centro District facilities. The baptisms were the fruit of evangelism, discipleship, and coming alongside several families who have experienced miracles of healing and provision in this COVID-19 pandemic. 

The service was led by Pastor Mayra Robalino with her husband, Sierra Centro District Superintendent Mario Paredes. For more than eight months, the church’s ministries have grown in the midst of the crisis as many churches close.

“These 36 people are the fruits of our daily prayers—every morning at 5:00 a.m.—and an intentional discipleship through many electronic means, especially Zoom,” Paredes said. “The church is very involved and encouraged to continue to fulfill the Great Commission.”

In the last two months of 2020, this group (of which 85 percent are new to the faith) was discipled through programs for couples, young people, women, and children, among others. It brought joy to many see the public act of obedience of new brothers in Christ. 

“We hope these people too will freely give that which they freely have received,” Paredes said. “We hope they will share the good news with their families so that we may continue wining people for Christ.”

--Church of the Nazarene South America