Cariamanga is a small town in southern Ecuador, nestled in the Province of Loja. Years ago, Chris and his family lived nearby and started a Bible study in a local clothing store. Mostly women attended, reflecting the cultural norms where spiritual things are often seen as feminine. Sometimes, twenty women would gather, but only a few men.

Chris’ family later moved to Loja, the provincial capital. But years later, one of the women’s daughters, Michelle, reached out. She and her husband Javier had started gathering with a group in Cariamanga, but they were wrestling with questions: Do we need a pastor? What should church actually look like? What does the Bible really say?

Michelle and Javier had been reading a book about Biblical models of the church, and it stirred a deep hunger for something more authentic—something that aligned with the early church rather than tradition.

Chris reconnected with them and set up a meeting with the group’s leaders.

Together, they began exploring Scripture—what it says about the identity and purpose of the Church, how and why we gather, and what disciple-making looks like. For some, the ideas were challenging. For others, they were life-giving. Many experienced “aha” moments as their understanding shifted.

Now, Chris and his team are continuing to train the group in disciple-making tools and principles. Their hope is that this small community in Cariamanga will become a Spirit-led, Scripture-shaped movement—disciples making disciples until the whole town sings the glory of God.

This is a true story. Some details may have been edited to protect identities.