SROM International Missions
"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation"
Mark 16:15
For years SROM has specialized in leading people to a knowledge of Jesus Christ through the outdoors. In the process SROM has trained thousands of individuals to become proficient leaders and wilderness men and women. We now perceive the Lord calling us to expand our vision to equip and empower individuals for skill development and mission opportunities in places and environments where other missionaries will not or are not able to go. SROM international opportunities give individuals a unique wilderness programming experience that will equip them with the ability to thrive in harsh environments. SROM international is a two part program designed to train Americans and nationals in aspects of wilderness ministry including wilderness skills and leadership competencies, and equip them with the ability to access difficult to reach peoples. The overarching goal of this course is to create a team, in partnership with local nationals that will expand the Kingdom of God to local youth and young adults, under-reached and unreached people groups in the country we serve. SROM international students will carry only their backpacks as they train and live in the high places of the world among nomadic people. This year we will be pursuing this goal in Ecuador. In addition to beautiful people, Ecuador is known for the Big Ten peaks: volcanoes with summits over 5,000 meters equivalent to 16,404ft.
Phase 1
You will fly into Quito, Ecuador. There you will meet with your instructors and drive to El Refugio Training and Retreat Center for course orientation and preparations. El Refugio is the national ministry partner with SROM. This will include gear issue, food planning, itinerary scheduling, national partnerships, and acclimatization. During orientation and preparation, you will work alongside Ecuadorian nationals who will be your team members during the trip. Nationals will be participating in each phase. After orientation and preparation you will leave for a short yet challenging acclimatization backpacking trip across the Pichincha mountain range. There are three peaks that make up the Pichincha massive, two of which will be climbed: Guagua Pichincha (15,670 ft.) and Rucu (15,180 ft).
Phase 2
After hiking across the Pichinchas, your team will begin mountaineering training to climb Cayambe (18,996 ft). Cayambe is Ecuador’s third highest peak and the highest point along the equator. It is also home to the only glacier on the equator. On the lower flanks of Cayambe you will learn glacier travel, climbing techniques, and crevasse rescue skills. Though phase two of this course is focused on mountaineering skill development, the lessons learned and applied will strengthen your leadership skills and build a team. Here you will be tested to grow as leaders in a team working for the Kingdom of God.
Phase 3
After Cayambe and the completion of team development you will have a short time of rest before you are sent out to the people groups of Ecuador. You will be part of a team that partners with national ministers who live either in Ecuador or South America. The purpose of local ministry partners is to bridge the language and cultural barriers and to facilitate follow-up and discipleship when entering a remote village or town. The majority of places you travel to will be remote and difficult to reach. In some areas, locals have never seen someone from the west. Depending on the atmosphere of the village and the welcome that is given, your team may have the chance to share the Gospel. You will be responsible for giving the village a “proclaimer.” Proclaimers are audio Bibles with installed microchips that contain Scriptures in the local dialect. The battery has a built-in generator and solar panel to play the proclaimer for 15 hours. It can be recharged enough times to play the entire New Testament over 1,000 times. The goal is to deliver a village one procliamer so that all (literate and illiterate) people in the village may hear the good news of the Gospel while you are there and after you leave.
This course is for SROM alumni or pre-qualified individuals. For qualifications, contact the SROM office and ask about Ecuador missions.
