OUR MINISTRY
Here you will find information about our ministry projects of the past and present.
ATEK Training and Administrative Center
Come and help us build a better future for the Quechua people!
The Quechuas are hardworking subsistence farmers who live high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Traditionally animists, the Quechuas resisted the gospel for many years, but today there is an established, growing church among the Quechuas. However, because of geographic isolation and resulting poor education, churches are often weak and lack trained leadership.
Recognizing this need, SIL* and the evangelical Quechua churches in Cusco committed themselves to working together to strengthen the Quechua church through the use of the Cusco Quechua Bible. As a result, in July 2002, the interdenominational Quechua organization ATEK was born.
ATEK works among the 1.5 million Cusco Quechua speakers in southern Peru. It exists to contribute to the spiritual and physical development of Quechua communities by promoting the use of the Cusco Quechua Bible, developing Bible-based resources and providing Bible-based training that aids believers in evangelism and in strengthening Quechua families, churches and communities.
ATEK has grown rapidly in recent years and currently has 14 full-time and 2 part-time employees who work out of their office. In addition there are over 200 rural volunteers that come through from time to time. ATEK is dedicated to training trainers in literacy, family, church and leadership ministries, but it no longer has space to host training events or other meetings. Though moving to a larger rented facility could alleviate some space issues, it wouldn't offer the stability nor provide the customized space ATEK needs to carry out its ministries.
To continue to effectively strengthen the Quechua church, ATEK needs a place of its own. ATEK and SIL have raised funds for the purchase of a 650 m2 (1/8 acre) plot of land as well as the costs of the dorm rooms (see picture). Our goal is that by the end of the year, ATEK may move into their office. In order to make this dream a reality, we need your help.
We invite you to come for 1 - 3 weeks (or more) to help with the construction of the training center while enjoying rich fellowship with your Quechua brothers and sisters from ATEK. You could come with a group from your church or come alone (in which case we would connect you with another team). We recommend that each group also bring a contribution for project materials.
During the course of your visit, you will:
- Do construction on ATEK's center
- Interact formally and informally with ATEK members
- Take a trip to a Quechua village to experience Quechua culture and observe one of ATEK's trainings in progress
- Spend time with the SIL team in Cusco
- Visit Machu Picchu or other tourist sites
If you have further questions or need more info, contact Justin.
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the building project please click here.
*SIL is the organization for whom we work in Peru. SIL is a partner organization with Wycliffe dedicated to linguistics, translation, literacy and language research among the world’s lesser-known languages.
