Pray For
- local youth leaders and programs guided by the regional youth ministry team (JUMELI)
- encouragement, protection and provision for those ministering under pressing social and economic circumstances
- wisdom and guidance for Pastor Mariana Mafla as she pastors the church in central Quito and serves as district leader
- missionaries J.R. and Becky Crouse, assisting in Ecuador and throughout Latin America
- new missionaries Gabriel Estrella and Dalia Sanchez, who are raising prayer and financial support
PRESENT MINISTRIES
The mission district in Ecuador continues to grow and mature despite the grave security and economic crises that affect the country, especially in the coastal region. Community Church Planting and Raices are being implemented, resulting in kingdom expansion. Churches are also participating in holistic and transformational ministry, with a community garden in the capital city of Quito and a canteen in Esmeraldas that provides meals for at-risk children and senior citizens.
ORIGINS
Free Methodist work in Ecuador became a mission district under Free Methodist World Missions in 1983.
Country Leader

Mariana Mafla
Ecuador Mission District
Missionaries
J.R. & Becky Crouse
Based in Quito, Ecuador, the Crouses assist the Free Methodist Church in Ecuador and the Latin America Area (LAA) through leadership development, education and holistic transformation. J.R. is a member of the LAA Empowering Holistic Transformation team. He also serves...
Prayercast | Ecuador
Recent Heartbeat Articles
Continuous Learning: A Blessing for God’s Church
“I don't have time. I don't have money. I’m too old.” These are excuses people often use to stop learning. Pastora Mariana Mafla, the mission...
Moved by the Spirit
Esmeraldas is a beautiful province on the Ecuadorian Pacific Coast adorned by a brilliant sun, with waves hitting the boats that sail through its...
Missionaries
J.R. & Becky Crouse
Based in Quito, Ecuador, the Crouses assist the Free Methodist Church in Ecuador and the Latin America Area (LAA) through leadership development, education and holistic transformation. J.R. is a member of the LAA Empowering Holistic Transformation team. He also serves...
Prayercast | Ecuador
Recent Heartbeat Articles
Continuous Learning: A Blessing for God’s Church
“I don't have time. I don't have money. I’m too old.” These are excuses people often use to stop learning. Pastora Mariana Mafla, the mission...
Moved by the Spirit
Esmeraldas is a beautiful province on the Ecuadorian Pacific Coast adorned by a brilliant sun, with waves hitting the boats that sail through its...
COUNTRY STATISTICS
-
Mission District
- Population: 19,078,506 (64% urban)
- Evangelical Christians: 11%
- FM Work Opened: 1981
- FM Churches: 8
- Houses of Peace: 61
- FM Membership: 1,187
- Ordained Ministers: 2
- Conference Ministerial Candidates: 7
- District Leader: Pastor Mariana Mafla
- Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMWM through Latin America Area Director, Dr. Ricardo Gómez
Major Cities:
- Guayaquil (2.7 million)
- Quito (2.0 million)

Photo Credit: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Join the ministry in Ecuador
Church Planting & Development
Funding the Ecuador Church Planting and Development (CPD) will help resource the following people and strategic initiatives:
- Effective leadership development for children, youth and young adults through educational enrichment, after school programs, mentoring and discipleship (Through these church-based initiatives in the community, entire families are being led to faith in Christ and experiencing life transformation.)
- Follow up on contacts that could result in two new churches in Quito and one in Esmeraldas
- Over 20 people from the four Quito churches taking a course of study through FLET (Fundación Latinoamericana de Estudios Teológicos), part of Theological Education by Extension