God's Ministry in Colombia

Colombia is the second largest country in South America with a population of nearly 50 million. After suffering through more than 50 years of an internal protracted conflict, peace accords were finally signed in 2016 in the hopes of moving Colombia away from violence and toward reconciliation, stability, and economic growth.

The Mennonite Church has been present in Colombia since the mid-1940s. Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia (IMCOL, Colombia Mennonite Church) is well-known for its leadership in working for justice and peace at both the community and national levels. Seminario Bíblico Menonita de Colombia (Mennonite Biblical Seminary of Colombia, SBMC) is a key part of how IMCOL prepares leaders. See here for more.

Ministry: SBMC has a rich 20-year history of training leaders both within and beyond IMCOL. Unfortunately, in the past four years it has experienced some stagnation. As a result of current work in Colombia, church leaders see this as a perfect time to revitalize the seminary and strengthen work it has done in the past, as well as offer a renewed vision. The seminary recently hired a new director, Santiago Espitia, a passionate visionary, to carry this work forward. He desires that the seminary be involved in the training and support of both current and new church leaders. Such work will advance and bolster the peace witness of church leaders as they remain committed to living out Jesus' call to peace, justice, and nonviolence in a society transitioning after war.

SBMC has invited me to serve with them in accompanying the broad work of the seminary. I have said yes to God’s calling in my life and am excited to join God’s mission and the work of the church in Colombia. I have accepted this position with eager anticipation and am excited to learn together with Colombian church leaders what it means to be Christ’s witnesses in the 21st century.