The Ecuador National Women’s Ministry Council organized a national women’s congress called Held by the Father to unify and motivate women. 

National Women’s Ministry Coordinator Mayra Robalino led the event with the council, including leaders from the six districts in Ecuador. The council hoped to activate, unify, motivate, and push women to develop their gifts and women’s ministries around the country.

Held by the Father was live streamed on 17 September from the Central Mountain District’s center in Riobamba, Ecuador. It was transmitted by Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. It reached about 1,000 women. During the event, several ministry teams prayed for requests and responded to comments sent by social media. Additionally, each district performed a special such as a dance, recitation, or worship song.

Three pastors provided the teaching for the event: Waner Nunes, regional women’s ministry coordinator; Mayra Robalino, national women’s ministry coordinator; and Noemi Ainscough, a psychologist. 

“Our target is to care for these vulnerable women so that they can feel cared for, valued, and protected by God,” Robalino said. “That’s why we came up with the name. We want for them to feel like the church is walking alongside them during this time. We’re trying to care for women in a holistic way.”

Weeks before the event, a singing contest was held to find the person who would sing the theme song for the event. The winner was Yenny Romina Castillo from the Central Mountain District, who recorded the song with the Children’s and Youth Orchestra of the Central Mountain District. 

The national event will be repeated in each of the six districts in Ecuador throughout the rest of the year.

--Church of the Nazarene South America