Julio and Ruth Ruibal started Ekklesía Colombian Christian Center in Cali, Colombia, 1978 – a local church with ministries in education, health and communication. After Julio’s martyrdom in December 1995, Ruth and their two daughters, Abby and Sarah, stayed on – Ruth as senior pastor in Ekklesía. Due to continued threats against the lives and families of the leadership, over the next five year period the elders and leaders left for other countries. At the same time, threatened congregational members left, but the Lord sent new people, some who visited out of curiosity. They found the Lord, were discipled, and several are now being trained for leadership. The vision is to raise leaders who will not only take their place in the local church, but be used to help establish and strengthen other churches.

Ruth continues to be a vital part of the city-church leadership and an instrument to bring unity to the pastors in Cali. However, the message and ministry of unity that the Lord has given her has gone beyond their borders to over 30 countries in all six inhabited continents. Her travels make it all more imperative for strong leadership to be raised in the local church.

Abby, married in March 2008, continues her studies towards a masters’ degree in Child and Family Therapy at Liberty University. She and her husband, Shane Holcomb, have a call to full-time ministry and counseling. Sarah, to be married in October 2008 to Nathan Bashaw, is active in Ekklesía and the church’s grade school where she teaches choreography and disciples teens. She frequently accompanies Ruth in international ministry.

For more information, please see our web site: www.ruibalministries.com.