Thank you for visiting EL CAMINO MINIStRIES
We are so thankful for the time that you have taken to visit our website. Our ministry within Peru began in 2000 and we know the Lord has directed us every step of the way. We want to encourage you to read about our history, our clubs and our mission. Together, we will impact the world for HIM!
History
In 1998, Al Ellis attended an Open Doors Conference with Brother Andrew. The focus of the conference was on the persecution of Christians in Peru. Al was given a list of 400 pastors and Christian leaders who had gone to prison on bogus terrorist charges during the Peru Civil War in the 1980’s and 90’s.
During the next two years, Al and his family would pray daily for these precious brothers and sisters. In some cases, both husband and wife went to prison and their children were placed in the homes of strangers. In 2000, Al went on an Open Door courier Mission trip to Peru. He met Juan and his wife Cristina Mallea. Juan, a Christian brother, had led several people to the Lord while he was in prison. He was released after two years from the Castro Castro prison in Lima. Juan knew several of the imprisoned families. Al and Juan began a search and found what was left of the families living in shacks with no food.
El Camino Ministry, which Al started in Mexico in 1977, began supporting 12 of these families. In 2002, new court hearings took place and all were set free. A vision of the Christian Peruvian Children’s Bible Clubs began in the hearts of several of the brothers and sisters while they were in prison. Shortly after the big release, their vision became a reality when El Camino Ministries agreed to finance six clubs, led by former Christian prisoners.
Bob King joined the ministry in July of 1996 and has given this mission leadership while focusing to help special projects of the ministry.
In 2000, Al's daughter, Debra Ryan, began working alongside her Father, visiting persecuted families in Peru and providing support where needed. Debra developed a special bond with Juan and Cristina’s daughter Becky and they now work together as the "Second El Camino Generation", growing the ministry so that El Camino's Bible Clubs and feeding programs are sustained into the future.
El Camino Ministries is so thankful for the prayer and financial partners over the years including The King Family, who helped build many Bible Club Houses, complete with kitchens, in Lima and outlying areas. In July of 2006, a field of corn stalks was purchased and a retreat camp for the Bible Club children began construction. Al felt that each stalk of corn represented a child that would be reached for the Kingdom of God.
The Peruvian leaders and volunteers give the children from our seven ghetto club locations, a hot meal 4 to 7 days a week with Bible classes, scripture memorization and fun activities. Outside of these seven feeding Bible clubs, we have over 50 non-feeding Bible clubs that meet on the weekends throughout Lima in volunteer homes and churches.
All the Glory and Praise to our Lord!
BELieF
Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of lost and sinful man.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ.