Walls' Latin-American Mission

At nearly 2 miles above sea level in the northern-most part of Ecuador, along the Colombian border in the capital city of the Carchi province, a harvest is being gathered into the storehouses. Though Tulcan is known for its harvest of potatoes and guinea pigs, the harvest I’m talking about is one of reformation, spiritual fruit, and souls added unto the church. 

Before the Pastor School program started, Oscar Bolaños was already recognized by his local church as a gifted brother who seemed to be called of God for pastoral ministry. For this reason, they sent him to Santo Domingo to take part in our training program. During the entire program, Oscar was constantly involved in the life of the church in Tulcan through frequent visits, regular meetings with the members, leading Bible studies through Zoom, and praying for them. In the early part of this year, the church voted unanimously to call Oscar as their pastor, and shortly after the Pastor School graduation Oscar was ordained as the pastor of the Iglesia Bíblica Remanente (Remanent Bible Church). Jorge and I had the privilege of guiding the church in this process as well as taking part in the ordination ceremony. 

Since his ordination, the Lord has been doing a great work in the church. The church has been in a process of Reformation for several years now, but Oscar has been able to use the Sunday School times to teach on the nature and activities of the church (using Pastor Jeffrey Johnson’s book on the church), and has helped clarify for new members important principles such as the balance between the authority of the congregation and the pastor, the regulative principle of worship, the importance of expository preaching, the use of a Confession of Faith, church membership, etc. This time of teaching has brought clarity to many members and visitors who still had questions and doubts about the direction of the church—many of them coming from a Pentecostal background. 

The church is growing with new members being added, as well as many who had been attending for some time coming to understand the importance of church membership, with its benefits and responsibilities. Oscar has been preaching through the book of Philippians, having regular pastoral visits to the members and regular visitors, leading Bible studies, men’s studies, and also works of mercy to the needy in the church and community. His wife, Johanna, is also active as a helper for him in hospitality and care, but also serves the church by leading a weekly women’s study. Also, her experience as a pastor’s daughter is a great help to Oscar as he seeks to always maintain a healthy balance between the care of his wife and children and the ministry of the church. 

Another reason that has given us great joy and thankfulness for the work of God in Tulcan is the support of HeartCry. HeartCry began supporting the ministry of the Pastor School earlier this year, and they have continued to support Oscar as one of their missionaries since he was ordained as a pastor. You can see their page on the HeartCry website here.

What follows is some of Oscar’s own testimony about what has been going on in the church in Tulcan since his ordination. 

There are no words to describe the joy that my soul feels having served these 4 months as pastor of Iglesia Bíblica Remanente. Seeing the faithfulness, care and work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in His Church every day leads me to understand much more the grace and love that the Father has given us by sending His beloved Son to save His people from their sins.

Contemplating the beauty of a Church that, although imperfect in many ways, the Lord is leading us every day to correct the deficiencies and to establish His truth as our only authority in our faith and practice, this leads me to depend each day on His grace and Wisdom, recognizing that it is not by my faculties or gifts but by His infinite mercy and faithfulness that God preserves and builds His church.

I know that many challenges, joys and sufferings await me, but I am completely confident that my Lord will be with me in every step I take, in every decision I have to make and in every difficulty I have to face as pastor of this beloved Local Church.

Every Lord’s Day the Church gathers faithfully to worship our God. The attendance to the services by the members has been frequent as well as those who visit us regularly. During these months we have been teaching in the Sunday School: “The doctrine of the Church, its nature and purpose”. In the worship services, we are doing an expository study of the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. These teachings have been of great edification and encouragement to the church as we seek to be a Biblical Church united in doctrine and love for one another.

Every Wednesday night we meet with the purpose of praying for the different needs of each brother, we have seen that the Lord has supported us in a great way, answering according to His will the requests that our brothers share every Wednesday. We give thanks to God that the church has responded in a positive way by faithfully attending each prayer meeting and getting involved in the needs of each brother by praying for each other.

We give glory to our Lord, for His work of salvation in people. Our sisters Elenita, Johannita and Viviana publicly professed their faith in Christ, shared their testimony of conversion and formally requested membership in our local church. We all rejoice in the way God has worked in the lives of our sisters who are in the process of being baptized and being added to the membership of our church.

During this time we have been intentional in having fellowship with our brothers, for this reason we have proposed to invite to our home or visit at least two families every week, in order to pray for them and encourage them to continue trusting and loving the Lord. During this time we take the opportunity to answer questions or doubts that the brethren have and it has been a beautiful experience.

Words of Thanksgiving

I am deeply grateful to all of you for the support we received during all the time of my pastoral preparation in the city of Santo Domingo, you cannot imagine what a blessing all of you have been to my family and me. Although I may not know you personally, I know that being united to Christ by faith, makes us part of one people and one family in Christ, united by love for one another.

We will not tire of thanking our God for your lives and pray that every day the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ will always be in your churches and families.

With deep love in Christ – Pastor Oscar Bolaños

Prayer Requests

1. Please pray that the church in Tulcan would continue to grow in truth, holiness, and unity. Also, pray that the process of Reformation would be carried out with peace and grace.
2. Pray that Oscar can fulfill his ministry with faithfulness and integrity and can maintain a biblical balance between the care of his own soul, his family, and the church. 
3. Pray that the church would be a light to the city of Tulcan and that many more souls would be converted to Christ through the ministry of this church. 
4. Pray that God would continue raising up servants in this church who would take part in the ministry of the church and that many could grow in maturity and Christ-likeness.