Jim & Sharon Smith

Ministering in Quito, Ecuador,
South America

Responding to God's call to missionary service in Quito--an equatorial metropolis of 2 million people, nearly 10,000 feet above sea level--the Smiths have been faithfully presenting the Gospel, planting churches, and training Christian leaders in Ecuador since 1978.

Jim was born into a missionary family; his parents were Jim and Joey Smith, missionaries for half a century in Mexico. Sharon grew up in a pastor's home; her parents are Carl and Elsie Boonstra. Dr. Boonstra also served as BBF Missions Director for 14 years.

Iglesia Biblica Bautista is the name of the work that the Smiths began as a home Bible study in 1980 and formally organized as a church in October, 1983. Steady growth led to renting a house for the study group and, eventually, the need for a permanent building, which the Lord graciously provided. Jim is serving as its pastor and the Lord has abundantly blessed their ministry among these great people.

The Smiths believe that the most effective way to multiply ministry is to train national leadership. In 1987 Jim founded the Baptist Bible Institute of Quito, which he currently administers. Both Jim and Sharon are teaching at the Institute. Several Institute graduates have begun their own local ministries as a result of the training they received through this four-year, intensive, Bible-training program.

Churches are being pastored by IBBQ graduates in Cotocollao, Carapungo, Pomasqui, Clemente Ballén, Santa Rita, Aymesa, Tena, Shandia, Baeza, San Carlos, Santo Domingo, and Springdale, Arkansas.

Please pray for the Bible Institute and for the Smiths, that God will continue to use them for His glory in Ecuador.

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