Colombia Pastoral Couples Training
Bogotá, Colombia
April 14 – 21
Flying over the 7.1 million inhabitants of Bogotá caused me to wonder, how can the church reach them all with the Good News? Then, the Lord reminded me of the influential shepherds and leaders He had just brought together for a week of training who were overseeing 25, 50, and some more than 100 congregations throughout the city. They were already reaching thousands!
“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.” Colossians 1:3-4
We believe that
To multiply the Gospel to reach others, the church needs pastoral couples equipped and encouraged to have healthy ministries and marriages. So, our Biblical studies, practical teaching, conversations and care aim to do just that. At the end of our training we asked the 84 leaders attending to express their appreciation for the week as a prayer of praise to the Lord. In general, they were thankful for:
- God’s perfect timing and provision to care for their spiritual health.
- How God’s Word spoke to their hearts and challenged them to walk in a manner worthy of their calling.
- The rest, restoration and refreshment that they experienced in their marriage.
- The opportunity to make new friends and network with others.
- How loved and encouraged they felt by everyone throughout the week.
Here is a sample of what they expressed:
Heavenly Father: Thank you for so much love and care. You never arrive early or late, you are an expert at arriving just when my life was exhausted, without strength and full of questions. Thank you and a thousand thanks. I leave renewed, full of your love, mercy. You are unique and you love me without condition. I love you. God you are a love that gives everything.
Thank you Lord for responding to the request to give us strength as a couple through your Word. Thank you for affirming the ministry to which we were called. Thank you for meeting pastors who love you and show love for others. We feel loved and accepted.
Thank you for renewing us mentally, spiritually, relationally as a couple, for inspiring us and for opening our vision to the future. Thank you for new friendships, new paths and experiences that brought a new rhythm to our lives and ministries. Thank you for leading the hearts of others to respond to needs of people that they have never met but care for deeply. Thank you, thank you!!!
Thank you God for having this time like a date with me where I was able to recognize your love for me and fall more in love with you, to be able to value my husband, to see and analyze my mistakes and to be able to focus on what is really worth it. I leave restored, in love, and very cared for.
Dear God: I want to thank you with all my heart for giving me this gift of being able to come to this retreat. You knew how much we needed it and that we were crying out for it. Thank you for helping me recognize my sins, my blind spots, and my weaknesses in my marriage. Thank you for forgiving me and for giving me all the tools I need to work every day for a strong and healthy marriage and for reminding me that I must love my husband with a love that gives everything.
Ways you can pray!
- We thank God for each of you who have helped make this training possible. Your prayers and support expressed the love of Christ and touched each one of these pastoral couples in a profound way.
- Please continue to pray for these couples as they return to their homes, families and ministries. May the Lord strengthen their faith to walk in obedience to all that He has shown them!
- We are working on our next training conferences in Central Asia (May 17 – 30) and Ukraine (June 1-10). Please join us in praying for the Lord to protect and prepare the hearts of all those who will attend.
Thank you, thank you, Thank You!!! We rejoice in the Lord’s lovingkindness and the many ways that He expresses this to His shepherds throughout the world.
All praise and glory to our Lord and Savior!
