Missionaries Bring the Gospel to Ecuador’s Notorious Prisons

More than 70 percent of the world’s cocaine now passes through Ecuador. Smuggled into the country from Colombia and Peru—the world’s two largest cocaine producers—it makes its way to the country’s ports before hitting the global market. It’s a problem directly linked to the rising homicide rate, which increased by 40 percent in 2025, as well as the country’s prison crisis, which is 30 percent over capacity. More than 500 inmates have died since 2021 due to internal gang activity, and prison riots have plagued the system for years.

“It is always a joy in the Lord to visit these prisons.” 

Within that prison chaos, however, an assisted ministry is sharing the gospel, providing much-needed basic supplies to inmates, and giving hope to men who once believed their lives were meaningless. “It is always a joy in the Lord to visit these prisons,” the ministry leader said. “We all leave spiritually edified and renewed in our resolve to press forward with the calling the Lord has placed upon us to minister there.”

Evangelism, Bibles, and Hygiene Kits

In a six-month period, missionaries conducted two major evangelistic events in the prison yard, and many inmates accepted the Lord as their Savior. Later, during individual cell visits, more opened their hearts to Christ.

“Every day, we hold church services and provide Bible teaching.”

“Building upon the results of these campaigns, we launched a discipleship program through our Bible institute—a one-year curriculum—that culminates in the awarding of a diploma,” the ministry leader said. “Every day, we hold church services and provide Bible teaching. In addition to this, the members of the prison church do their personal Bible devotional and read between three and six Bible chapters daily as a spiritual practice to keep them encouraged, stable, and firm in the path of the Lord.” 

To assist new believers in deepening their faith, missionaries gift them with their own Bibles. “Some guards also request our study materials,” the ministry leader said. “We provide them with a Bible so they also can complete the course.”  

In addition, missionaries distribute toiletry kits that include soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bread, yogurt, blankets, and towels. “These new believers live peacefully, without fighting or drug use, and shine as a witness to other inmates, guards, and authorities,” the ministry leader said.

Marcelo’s Story

Marcelo* was a 35-year-old drug trafficker arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison. While incarcerated, he became addicted to drugs. One day, while missionaries visited the prison, Marcelo heard the gospel and gave his life to Jesus. The missionaries discipled him and taught him the Scriptures through their biblical study course. “God delivered him from his drug addiction,” the ministry leader said. “After some time, he became a faithful member of our prison congregation.”

Later, Marcelo began to teach other inmates about the Bible, and when he was released from prison, he established his own small business. Now, he earns an honest living and is actively involved in a local congregation.

Christian Aid Mission is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation