In the face of escalating violence in Ecuador, Peter Wigginton and Delicia Bravo — coordinators of the Ecuador Partnership which includes Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia, Central Plains Mennonite Conference and Mennonite Mission Network — encouraged the three Ecuador Anabaptist conferences to study peacemaking together.
See Mennonites unite in Ecuador’s peace journey
From this initiative emerged the Ecuador Peace Team, comprising representatives from all three conferences. The peace team sent this letter to the MWC Peace Commission to raise awareness of Ecuador’s struggles and to request collective prayer alongside Anabaptists churches worldwide.
Here is a translation of a request from the Ecuador Peace Team to the Mennonite World Conference Peace Commission.
Darkness plagues us daily. Once known as an “island of peace,” our country has descended into darkness.
Daily we hear stories of slaughter and horror. Even the facades of our churches bear the blood of victims whose bodies once carried the promise of God’s reconciliation. Our churches now grapple with agonizing choices: Should we allocate offerings to the drug lords who extort our neighborhoods, giving Caesar what is Caesar’s, to ensure the congregation can continue to meet in Sunday services? No church should face these questions.
We know God’s destiny for us is not this darkness but shalom — peace, wholeness and well-being. Yet, we cannot pursue this alone.
Ecuador urgently needs your prayers and solidarity. We appeal to the Mennonite World Conference Peace Commission and global Anabaptist family to join us, that the body of Christ may stand as one with Ecuador.
Prayer requests
- For the church in Ecuador: Pray for strength and courage as we seek shalom amid violence. God promises, “I know the plans I have for you… plans for your welfare (shalom) and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). We cling to this, trusting that “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
- For transformation: Pray for the organized criminal groups driving this violence. We long for shalom to heal both the violent and the violated, for “in its shalom you will find your shalom” (Jeremiah 29:7). Jesus, our peace (shalom, Ephesians 2:14), is our hope.
- For unity and witness: Our diverse churches are uniting to model peace in these divided times. Pray that our work reflects Christ’s renewal: “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). May we bear the “first fruits of the Spirit” (Romans 8:23) as a prophetic witness against the world’s cycle of violence.
We ask prayer for the church in Ecuador because we know that God desires shalom and well-being for the Ecuadorian Mennonite church. “I will fulfill my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely, I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare (shalom) and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
A call to accompaniment
As Anabaptists, we are called to bring something new—restoration, conflict transformation, and healing—where the world offers only division and despair. We seek not just your prayers but your active presence. Walk with us as teachers of justice and peace, for “I have chosen him… to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and righteousness” (Genesis 18:19). Together, let us call the nations to “do justice, love mercy, and humble [ourselves] before [our] God” (Micah 6:8).
We trust in the Lord of heaven and earth, who commands us to live righteously and bear witness to the good news (Deuteronomy 4:5).
As we pray, we know our Savior guides our steps — and yours.
Blessings,
The Ecuador Peace Team
Mennonite Churches of Ecuador
Iglesia Cristiana Anabautista Menonita de Ecuador (ICAME)
Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Ecuador (ICME)
Iglesia Evangélica Menonita de Ecuador (IEME)
