Planting a church in La Unión, Ecuador, was going to be more difficult than Víctor Medrana thought. The local priest spoke out against the Bible studies Víctor was starting. He encouraged people to sign a petition to get the mayor to close them down because he claimed gunmen were meeting in these studies. The people were fearful and sided with the priest.

But, God had a plan for La Unión and Víctor shares, “Thanks to Him, these plans did not prevail. The mayor is my friend and he knew what we were doing and he supported us.”

La Unión needs to be set free from the powers of sin and death. It is known as one of most dangerous areas because drug dealers from other cities and countries like Colombia use it as a distribution area. There are bars, brothels, and gunmen for hire. As a result of the town’s dangerous reality, Víctor not only receives threats to close the church but also threats on his life.

How can someone plant a church under these conditions? With confidence, Víctor shares, “I am prepared and my wife and daughters are [ready] as well for anything that can happen. We know God sustains our lives and whatever happens is under His control.”

Víctor participated in the church planter training offered by Multiplication Network Ministries (MNM). “They trained us and we committed ourselves to be available to work in the tasks where God would call us,” Víctor shares.

Now Víctor is not just a full time pastor in La Unión but he is also designated as an MNM multiplier for Baptist church planters in the coastal region of Ecuador. He will be responsible to train new church planters the modules and encourage them in the same way he was encouraged.

“When God calls you to work in His Kingdom, you have to be in love with Jesus and passionate for the people because there are many who are without Christ and have no hope. Jesus came to die and to save. I am open to serve like Someone did for me.”

Víctor is also motivated to persevere in his work because of what he has seen God doing. “Since a few years ago, six brothels, seven dance halls, and more than ten bars have closed. God is gaining a lot of ground,” Víctor says. He adds that the church doesn’t only evangelize but they also have times of prayer where they petition the Lord for their area.

His vision to plant churches has not stopped. The church Víctor planted in La Unión is also planning to start other churches in rural areas. This will mean they will need to travel for many hours to reach them. But they feel compelled to share the gospel and will go where God leads them.