Gospel Partnership In Santa Marta, Colombia
An update from Joselo Mercado, Lead Pastor of Iglesia Gracia Soberana in Gaithersburg, on a trip he took to Colombia in late 2020…
A couple of days ago in comfortable 80 degree weather, and we are today expecting 3-6 inches of snow!
I arrived home late on Monday night from Santa Marta, Colombia after visiting Iglesia Biblica Soberana Gracia and Pastor Jacobis Aldana. To be honest, I really did not feel like getting on a plane and visiting another continent in the middle of the pandemic, but my wife, Kathy, really encouraged me to continue the work of encouraging pastors and churches. I am so pleased she did, as the trip could not have been better!
I will just give you some of the highlights...
The main purpose of the trip, which was accomplished, was to present the church membership with the possibility of starting an adoption process. The church response was very encouraging, about 5 of the keys leaders of the church communicated their gratefulness to SGC and the impact that Jacobis relationship with me have had in the life of the church.
I Was able to spend time with Jacobis and his family, his wife was super grateful for conversations, laughter and care. Kathy also sent her a very touching note, that she said was something she needed to hear at this time.
A prospective church planter from Bogota came to spend the weekend with his wife. I have been meeting with him for some time and Jacobis has been reaching out to him. He is considering moving to Santa Marta to be at Jacobis’ church and walk a process there.
I had a meeting on Friday with two pastors in Barranquilla. This church was planted by the church in Santa Marta. For a couple of years Jacobis would take a two hour bus ride every Sunday after completing his sermon in Santa Marta to preach in Barranquilla. Out of that effort Iglesia Biblica de la Ciudad was born. Barranquilla is a city of 2 million. The two elders of the church in Barranquilla are interested to see the possibility of adoption. I already have a relationship with one of the elders, I meet with him on a monthly basis for the past 18 months.
The Santa Marta church is helping plant a church in Valencia, Jacobis native town. This is a rural community 10 hours away. Our local church help them buy a vehicle that is allowing Jacobis do trip to invest in the leaders in Valencia.
I’m very optimistic about the relationship with the Santa Marta Church. Jacobis is a very bright, godly man. His main desire to be part of SGC is because of the centrality of the Gospel, he gets that and from my perspective that is the hardest value to get. In my opinion, of all the relationships I have, he is very ahead in the process.
Jacobis will be starting the 9 month ordination process early in 2021. We will hopefully have another trip with a mid-Atlantic elder to continue the process, and then in early 2022 me and my family will look to go and spend 3 weeks there to once again move things forward.
Thank you so much for allowing this ministry to happen!
