Wow, still can’t get our brains around all the goodness that transpired a little over a week ago. Thirty-seven people from Covenant and non-Covenant Churches from around Colombia recently completed another year of study, that resulted in receiving a certificate from the Biblical Seminary of Colombia. Little did we know when Julio worked with the FIPEC to develop a process for theological education back in 2018, the impact it would have. In the course of the past 4 years, over 200 lay leaders and pastors, have received formal training from the Biblical Seminary of Colombia, through certificate programs. On December 9th, 28 students were present at a special ceremony at the Biblical Seminary in Medellin where they received their certificates. The certificate in Bible and Ministry was the fourth the majority present have received over the course of their studies.
President of the FIPEC, Luis Barrientos shares the importance of this process.
Luz Dary was asked to share her testimony of how even amidst her husband’s illness and death, God met her through her studies and the other students who supported her.
Husband and wife from San Marcos completed the certificate in the midst of challenging circumstances.
We also had the distinct pleasure of having our friend, Elin, from the Embera Katio community present who has been studying a certificate in Old Testament with Julio for the past couple of years. What joy to see him receive his certificate and hear the impact these studies have had in his life and that of his community. The Biblical Seminary is launching a new certificate program in Old Testament for oral communities. This was something requested by the indigenous community and will be piloted in Elin’s community next year.
Elin was accompanied by his sister, who had never been to the city before.
The President of the Biblical Seminary and the Executive Secretary took part in the ceremony.
The weekend was special, not only because of the ceremony, but because of the opportunity to be together. People came from Monteria, San Marcos, Bogotá, Medellín, El Bagre, Soledad, Barranquilla to spend the weekend together. Most of them stayed in local homes and a few at the Biblical Seminary. We hosted a total of 11 people in our home and had such a blast! We ate breakfast together, told stories, decorated Christmas cookies.
During the weekend they met to dream about the future and propose action steps for theological education in the Covenant. This included choosing a provisional group that will work with the coordinator for theological education to propose next steps. 
We all went together via public transportation (Metro) to see the Christmas lights on the Medellin river.
They had a morning class on Saturday where they divided into groups and presented their final project, which was a mini sermon. Then, in the afternoon after the certificate ceremony, we enjoyed a lovely meal together at the Biblical Seminary.
Such a whirlwind weekend that gave testimony over and over again to God’s faithfulness. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for these students and has supported financially this process.
