The church in Colombia decided to take a stand when new mandatory sexual education programs were introduced that promoted gender neutrality (in other words, the curriculum teaches that over time children discover their gender rather than being born as a boy or a girl).  It also promotes other activities that are not congruent with the teaching of the Bible.  Thousands and thousands of people met throughout Colombia to either march or "sit-in" in support of traditional family values.  We joined the Medellín sit-in.  The government heard our voices and has backed down on the mandatory curriculum.  While the battle isn't over, it was encouraging to see the unity of the church and the fact that our voice was heard.

The mission of the Seminario Bíblico de Colombia is to educate and equip Christian leaders to serve God, the church and society.  The seminary would like to offer a Master's degree program in addition to the undergraduate degree in theology in order to expand this mission. The first step in doing so is to achieve a higher level of accreditation from the ministry of education.  In order to kick off this year-long (or longer) process, we were asked to organize a fair. The ultimate purpose was to educate the students and get them involved in the process.   The cotton-candy, popcorn, picture booth and dart game were just the gimmicks to keep them around.  A great time was had by all and now the whole seminary community is committed to this process and the prospect of increasing our impact!

After reading the syllabus for Ricardo's Church Planting class this semester, several students dropped the class.  They thought that the assignment to pair up and find a "person of peace" (a term used by the community church planting movement) and then begin to discipling him or her was an unfair assignment.  Fifteen (15) students remained for an exciting 8 weeks of in-class learning and practical experience.  

The final presentations that they gave on the "people of peace" were thrilling.  One team befriended Alex at the gym and are planning to start an in-home Bible study with him and his parents, another team is sharing the gospel with a taxi driver they met and his family.  Yet another group has begun discipling a rugby teammate, along with his wife and mother.  Ruben and his wife is the unsaved brother of one student who has always resisted the gospel.  He allowed two students to come visit his family...now he's inviting others into his home to watch Christian movies together.  And one team, after making the initial contact and offering to begin a Bible study was told "This is just what we've been waiting for."  In 8 short weeks not only did that begin a multifamily Bible Study in that home but another small group has already been birthed out of that one!

The students who remained confessed that they were stepping out of their comfort zone.  They've learned new ways to share they gospel and they've reached all sectors of society; from an unemployed young adult, to an independent seamstress, to a security guard, an ice cream vendor, an engineer and an entrepreneur.  Even though the class is over, the students plan to continue the groups they've started!  What an encouragement it is to see how the students themselves have been positively impacted through this assignment...and then know that they have made a positive impact on the city of Medellin as they've fulfilled the great commission!