Missionaries from PMM, Inc. Empowering the evangelical and baptist churches of Ecuador, Latin America, and USA (hispanic world), through theological education, books & literature, pastoral training programs, leadership development, educative management, bioethics, and pastoral & family ministries, to become mature bodies of Christ, to in turn carry out the Great Commission around of the World. You can find more at: www.palmministries.org and www.facebook.com/joselitoyanitaorellana
A.P. and Faye Stone Professor of Christian Missions and Cultural Anthropology
It is my honor to write to you in behalf of the Orellanas to tell you about their very effective ministry in Ecuador and surrounding countries. Besides their “local” ministry duties to their local church and other churches and colleges in Ecuador, they also provide valuable training to leaders in surrounding countries in seminars dealing with leadership, counseling, Biblical teaching and preaching, family dynamics according to God’s Word, and marriage and family counseling. Joselito is also a well respected writer and author and has published bible commentaries as well as books dealing with Christian Education and Theological Education. He and Anita also work with various ministries from the states and serve as their liaison/seminar-leaders as they together conduct leadership training, and pastoral training programs in various countries in South America.
The purpose of my writing today is to inform you about the Ecuadorian economy and cultural issues dealing with the support of pastors and ministers in their area. First, the local currency in Ecuador is the US dollar and prices are approaching the level of the US economy. However, salaries are not even closely following the increase in prices. Culturally, churches have traditionally never paid pastors very much if any at all. Pastors were always bi-vocational. Being faith missionaries, the Orellanas must depend on outside support to supplement the small offerings they receive locally. This is why PMM exists – to help Latin American national missionaries and ministers with their livelihood and ministerial expenses. And, our Lord has blessed PMM and its partners in the process.
