Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en Bolivia

This week, our journey through the global Wesleyan family brings us to the high Altiplano and the vibrant valleys of Bolivia.

Praying for the Evangélica Metodista en Bolivia (IEMB)

The Iglesia Evangélica Metodista en Bolivia (IEMB) consists of 9,190 members worshiping in 194 congregations. While it was founded by American missionaries in 1906, it underwent a radical transformation in 1969 to become an autonomous, indigenous-led church. Today, it is a church that looks and sounds like its nation, with a majority of its members coming from the Aymara and Quechua peoples.

The IEMB is a powerhouse of social action. They believe that spiritual salvation and physical well-being go hand-in-hand. In 2006, the Bolivian government recognized this by awarding the church the “Order of the Condor” – the nation’s highest honor – for their century of service to the poor.
Through a formal agreement with the government, the church manages 16 educational centers and numerous rural clinics. They are a lifeline for communities that are often overlooked, focusing on primary education, vocational training, and public health. For the IEMB, the Wesleyan fire is seen in the work of literacy and healing.

Indigenous leaders took the helm of the IEMB decades ago, ensuring the Gospel spoke directly to their identity and struggle for justice. The church remains a prophetic voice, particularly in the city of El Alto, one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. As people migrate from rural villages to the city, they carry their Methodist faith with them, often requesting the IEMB to plant new chapels to anchor their new urban communities.

How can we pray?

The IEMB motto is “Inspired by God to RESTORE the Church.”

For Indigenous Leadership: Pray for the Aymara, Quechua, and Guaraní leaders. Ask God for wisdom as they navigate the balance between traditional cultural identity and Christian discipleship.

For Health and Education: Pray for the teachers and doctors in Methodist-run schools and clinics. Ask God to provide resources and protection as they serve in remote, high-altitude regions.

For Rural Growth: Ask God to strengthen the 276 congregations, especially those in isolated areas where pastors travel long distances to reach their flocks.

A Prayer

Father, we thank You for the vibrant colors and resilient spirit of the Methodist church in Bolivia. We praise You for how You have raised up indigenous leaders to guide Your people. We ask for Your blessing on their schools and clinics – may they be places of healing and light. Strengthen their hands as they work for justice and restoration. Let the warmth of Your Spirit be felt in every village from the Andes to the Amazon. Amen.