Earlier this month, the Government of Ecuador declared that due to the ongoing violence that the South American country is going through, it will continue to deploy the military in the streets and prisons, even after the end of the state of emergency order that was initially issued in January.
But even in the context of crime and violence in the country, more than one hundred pastors in the province of Esmeraldas who are serving amid these challenging circumstances, were encouraged by the recent donations of the "QR Bible: Principles for Living".
It is a special resource prepared by renowned pastor Gene Getz who is an educator, senior pastor of Fellowship Bible Church North in Plano, Texas, and author who has served in ministry for more than six decades authored over 60 books.
Pastor Getz explained that "the format, colors and design [of this Bible] are different from traditional Bibles," because it was intentionally created for Latino people. The Bible contains QR codes (hence the name) that can be scanned with a cell phone to watch videos that explain principles for a Christian lifestyle. "I've included 1,500 of these principles in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation," Getz adds.
Esmeraldas was chosen because it was isolated by both a series of floods and the violence that plagues the region, which made the area inaccessible. The delivery of Bibles took place in the context of a virtual training carried out together with the United Bible Societies in Ecuador and the local Pastors' Corps, who personally delivered the Bibles after the meeting.
"We needed this Bible," commented one of the pastors and leaders who attended the meeting, adding, "We praise God and thank each person who makes this project possible." Another participant noted his "gratitude to the brothers and sisters from different countries for remembering us in such a difficult time for the country."
On January 8, Ecuador's president, Daniel Noboa, established a 60-day state of emergency in response to the wave of violence affecting both the country's prisons and streets. The province of Esmeraldas has been one of the most affected by the conflict.
The "QR Bible: Principles for Living" arrived in that city through Renewal Ministries, Editorial Portavoz, United Bible Societies and Kerux Group. This joint effort aims to distribute 50,000 Bibles throughout the Americas, making 25,000 available for sale and, based on the resources generated, give 25,000 free copies to pastors and leaders who cannot afford them, initially in countries such as Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador. The work began in 2023 and has continued in 2024.
Daniel Oliva, president of United Bible Societies in Ecuador, commented that "our country is marked by violence, clashes between gangs and natural disasters. But in the midst of it all there are churches with pastors who are ministering the gospel to very needy areas. We are sharing the QR Bible with them."
The province of Esmeraldas has been one of the most affected by the conflict. For his part, Luis Valencia, president of the Pastors Corps of Esmeraldas, said that "in our province it was something spectacular to receive this training and this Bible because we were able to bring together pastors from the seven cantons, some even walked for hours or went out on horseback to reach specific points and connect with the training and receive their QR Bible."
"We came to each city with the intention of honoring those who serve God faithfully in spite of the complex circumstances in which they live," explained Ivan Leon, director of Kerux Group. "It is touching to see the reaction of the people when they receive their copy of the QR Bible. Many burst into tears and others in effusive praise because in both cases they feel the Lord's affection through this special gift."
Originall published on Diario Cristiano.
