Asociación de Iglesias Hermanos Menonitas de Colombia (Association of MB Churches of Colombia) marked a historic milestone Aug. 7-10, 2024, as it gathered for the first official National Congress in the serene town of La Cumbre, northwest of Cali. This momentous event brought together approximately 80 leaders from across the country for worship, fellowship, community building and spiritual reflection. The congress, a culmination of decades of growth and dedication, symbolizes the unity and shared vision of the MB community in Colombia.
Each day began with lively worship sessions that set the tone for the rest of the day. Leaders from Colombia’s three established district conferences took turns leading the morning devotions. These moments of worship were more than just routine activities. It was a time for leaders to reconnect with their faith, draw strength from their shared beliefs and prepare their hearts for the discussions and activities that lay ahead.
Guest speaker Elton DaSilva, who was then the ICOMB global director, led the plenary sessions that delved into the challenges and opportunities that the global church faces in today’s rapidly changing world. The leaders engaged in deep and thoughtful dialogue centered around how the Christian faith can effectively respond to an often-antagonistic global agenda that seeks to undermine the principles of God’s kingdom.
Plenary sessions were followed by table discussions and strategy sessions to develop actionable strategies for the local context. The collaborative nature of these sessions fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose, as the leaders worked together to chart a course for the future of their conference.
In the afternoons, participants heard reports from the various districts, showcasing the dedication and creativity of the leaders in fulfilling their mission in Colombia and beyond. Leaders shared updates from the mission agency, training and discipleship centers, schools, theological training centers, social enterprises and missionaries and international partners.
The evenings were spent building community and fellowship, with games and interactive sessions designed to foster connections across generations. This intergenerational connection underscored the importance of mentoring and investing in the next generation of leaders. The passion, energy and fresh perspectives of the next generation was evident throughout the congress, signaling a bright future for the MB community in Colombia.
The Colombia national conference, with its approximately 45 congregations spread across the country, traces its beginnings to the work of North American missionaries in 1945. This first National Congress celebrated the church’s rich history and was also a pivotal moment in its ongoing journey. As the leaders returned to their communities, they carried with them a renewed sense of purpose and a shared vision for the future. Adapted from ICOMB newsletter
Did you know?
- Colombia is one of only 17 “megadiverse” countries. It is the second most biodiverse country in the world, after only Brazil which is 10 times its size. It has more bird species than Europe and North America combined.
- Colombia is the only country in South America that has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
- Colombia is the world’s leading source of emeralds. It is also the third largest exporter of coffee in the world after Brazil and Vietnam.
- Tejo is the traditional national sport. It is a team sport that some describe as a high-pressure game of cornhole. While it involves throwing objects at a target, those objects are heavy discs being hurled at clay pots covered in gunpowder landmines.
- By law, radio and public television must play the national anthem daily at 6 am and 6 pm.
- Colombia hosts the world’s largest salsa festival. Feria de Cali takes place December 25-30 each year and includes performances of music, dance and art.
Connie Faber joined the magazine staff in 1994 and assumed the duties of editor in 2004. She has won awards from the Evangelical Press Association for her writing and editing. Faber is the co-author of Family Matters: Discovering the Mennonite Brethren. She and her husband, David, have two daughters, one son, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law and three grandchildren. They are members of Ebenfeld MB Church in Hillsboro, Kansas.
