In 1989 the vision for what is now ALTECO came as a clear conviction from God, a vision that would challenge the status quo of ‘traditional’ Amazonian missions while breathing new life into the work of discipling and empowering the tribal church.
As a chapter in a much greater story, ALTECO reflects God’s faithful pursuit of His people to the ends of the earth, to the depths of the Amazon jungle itself! Below is a timeline that highlights some of the key events, developments and catalytic concept building that have led to what ALTECO is today.
ALTECO History timeline
- Amazon Focus 501(c)(3) is incorporated in the USA.
- Various meetings and conferences took place in Peru with key tribal leaders and FAIENAP(1) where, among other things, the concept of partnering more broadly with indigenous leaders from different countries became a continuing conversation.
- Two meetings took place with visionary leaders from major mission boards to share the ALTECO vision, and discussed the first Amazon Consultation.
- God was working through Amazon Focus and through key indigenous leaders in South America to lay the foundation for the birth of ALTECO.
- The first Amazon Consultation (AC-04) was held on January 30, 2004, in the US, attended by more than 15 organizations, churches and businesses.
- At AC-04, the vision of ALTECO was discussed and endorsed. Steps were planned to move forward, and a steering committee was selected to guide the continuing interaction.
- Late 2004, our relationship and partnerships with CONPLEI(2) in Brazil begin to take root.
- Meetings took place in Peru, planning and coordinating with interested western and national leaders.
- The vision began to expand and take root in different countries.
- AC05 was attended by more than 22 organizations, churches and businesses.
- A consortium called ALTECO was approved.
- The steering committee was asked to become the first board for ALTECO.
- Early 2007, ALTECO gets its 501(c)(3) status in the US
- AC07 was attended by more than 60 organizations, churches and businesses.
- The first Amazon Consultation for South American tribal leaders was held in Peru.
- Trans-Amazon Network of Indigenous Christian Leaders was created by around 50 tribal leaders from 6 South American countries.
- Tribal leadership team was appointed, including 2 Brazilians, 2 Peruvians, 1 Paraguayan, 1 Bolivian, 1 Ecuadorian, and 1 Colombian.
- From 2008 to 2011, an Amazon Consultation was held each year in the US. Many organizations, churches and businesses came, and the work of the networks in North and South America continued to grow.
- ALTECO and Amazon Focus participate in the CONPLEI conference in Brazil in place of an annual Amazon Consultation.
- AC13 was attended by over 50 organizations, churches and businesses.
- AC14 was hosted in Ecuador and attended by over 60 organizations, churches and businesses. It was the first consultation hosted in South America!
- The first official gathering of ALTECO & MTO ‘Women of the Amazon’ (WOTA) was held. They soon presented their vision to develop country networks of indigenous women as branches of the already existing Indigenous Country Networks across the Amazon.
- ALTECO hosts research projects and training workshops in North and South America.
- Colombia hosts a national tribal consultation of their own in Colombia. ALTECO assists in equipping and formation advisement for networks in the country.
- The indigenous women leaders in Bolivia officially formed AMEI(4) -Bolivia, supported and encouraged by ALTECO, MTO and the Trans-Amazon Network.
- Strategy sessions with staff, tribal & national leaders hosted in Ecuador.
- Annual meetings with Trans-Amazon Tribal Network Leadership were held in Peru.
- Attend Indigenous Congress (national event for Amazon leaders) in Peru.
- CONPLEI tribal network conference took place in Brazil with 2500 indigenous people in attendance.
- The first “Consultation of Christian Indigenous Women of Peru” was held in Pucallpa, Peru. Their network branch would later be officially known as AIMBU.
- AC17, hosted in the US, was attended by over 45 organizations, churches and businesses. Hearing the stories and hearts of the women who shared during the Women of The Amazon panel was a moving highlight for all who attended.
- A working relationship with the indigenous network RELIEC(5) was established during a Colombian Consultation.
- ALTECO attends 2018 ETO(6) meetings in Peru.
- ALTECO was part of the Unreached Indigenous Peoples Consultation in Colombia.
- ETO meetings in Colombia took place with strategy sessions & long-term planning with leaders.
- An event took place in Peru connecting an American church with RELENAP(7) .
- The indigenous women leaders in Colombia officially form AMEI-Colombia, supported and encouraged by ALTECO, MTO and the Trans-Amazon Network.
- ALTECO assists in pandemic relief efforts in South America.
- South American networks look to bring relief to indigenous communities during a global pandemic.
- The ETO supports and accompanies local pastors as they minister to their communities during lock downs
Amazon Focus and ALTECO merge under the name ALTECO. We’re excited that this step will enhance the synergy we’ve always experienced and eliminate unnecessary duplication and overlap.
- ‘Women of the Amazon’ (WOTA) leaders are prioritized at an ALTECO/MTO training event. The women engage communication platforms to continue fellowship, progress, and unity among the various country networks after the event.
- A specialized, 3-year catalytic leadership training program is initiated, equipping around 30 key tribal, national, and western leaders.
- Amazonian indigenous Christian leaders of Colombia form their own national network, known as LICAC (8).
- Depth of connection with the Three Waves Movement improves through an increased presence of South Americans on the ALTECO Board of Directors.
- Leadership development program sees continued participation and momentum
- Indigenous leaders in Suriname officially form their own network, supported and encouraged by ALTECO, MTO, and the Trans-Amazon Network.
- Leadership development program is completed, and participants begin to shift focus towards multiplication efforts.
- ALTECO celebrates with CONPLEI(2) as the network commemorates a milestone anniversary.
(1) FAIENAP = Fraternity of Associations of Native Evangelical Churches of the Peruvian Amazon
(2) CONPLEI = Brazilian Tribal Network (National Council of Indigenous Evangelical Pastors & Leaders)
(3) DAI = The Indigenous Department of AMTB (Association of Cross-Cultural Mission Agencies of Brazil)
(4) AMEI = Amazon Indigenous Women’s Ministry
(5) RELIEC = Highland Colombian Tribal Network
(6) ETO = Leadership Team of the Three Waves Movement
(7) RELENAP = Peruvian Tribal Network
(8) LICAC = Amazonian Colombian Tribal Network
LOOKING FOR AMAZON FOCUS? YOU’VE REACHED THE RIGHT PLACE!
YES, Amazon Focus has recently “joined forces” with ALTECO in an even closer way than ever before! As the catalytic organization that initiated ALTECO back in 2004, Amazon Focus has since invested almost 100% of its organizational resources into ensuring the success of this critical movement of God in the Amazon region of South America. You can read more about our unique interwoven history on ALTECO’s history page below.
As sister-organizations, we’ve collaborated all these years – sharing personnel and working with the same purpose, vision and core values since ALTECO’s inception. Recently the Boards of Amazon Focus and ALTECO met together and made the decision to formally join the organizations under ALTECO’s 501(c)3 non-profit incorporation. We’re excited that this step will enhance the synergy we’ve always experienced and eliminate unnecessary duplication and overlap.
Amazon Focus now functions as a DBA (Doing Business As, or Trade Name) of ALTECO. For all practical purposes, this means very little changes for any of us. Amazon Focus staff will continue working in their same ministry roles, now under the banner of ALTECO, and with the added benefit of a larger team to work alongside.
Amazon Focus financial donors may now give to ALTECO or Amazon Focus for a transitionary period. [Your tax-deductible receipt will be issued by ALTECO.] For more information about your giving options, click here to donate or reach out to bookkeeping@alteco.org.