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Colombian Churches Elect New Federation Leader
MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA (February 5, 2004) - Jorge Julian Perez was elected to a
two-year term as president of the Federation of Evangelical Covenant
Churches of Colombia as the denomination (known as FIPEC) held its
annual meeting January 29-31 at the Antioquia regional Covenant Church.
Outgoing president Carlos Diaz presented an eight-point strategic plan
for the next 10 years of ministry for FIPEC and its implementation began
at the event, which was attended by 63 delegates representing 33 of the
35 Covenant Churches.
Two new churches located in the city of Barranquilla and one new church
located in the small town of La Ye, Cordoba, were accepted into the
federation and nine new church works in process were also recognized.
The federation ordained Jorge Guevara and five individuals were
commissioned to serve as a mission team to minister to three Covenant
regions of the country during the next year.
"Jorge (Perez) brings with him a vision for improved unity among the
Covenant churches and ministries as well as expansion and growth of the
ministries currently in place, so that all of the territory of Colombia
has an active Covenant ministry presence in the various regions, towns
and cities," said Covenant missionary Gary Sander of Perez's selection.
Chuck Wysong, pastor at Christ Community Covenant Church in Arvada,
Colorado, was a special guest for the weekend and taught on the theme
"Finding how God has created our shape for ministry as a church and as a
leader." He also visited the Covenant Bible College-Ecuador campus in
LaMerced, Ecuador, before heading back to the United States.
"It has been a long and wonderful trip," reported Wysong in an email to
friends and colleagues. "We have Covenant pastors that are day in and
day out giving of their lives to advance the Kingdom. I will never be
the same because of their sacrifice and devotion to our Lord."
CEMPEC (Center for Ministerial Studies of the Colombia Covenant Church)
was also transformed into an Education Foundation following the FIPEC
annual meeting. This foundation, which is now seeking its official legal
operating license, will offer non-formal education diplomas in theology,
Christian education and missions. The center hopes to include a
curriculum for Holistic Transformational Studies in the near future.
For Covenant missionaries, things in Colombia are also encouraging. The
Sander family has recovered most of what was lost after their home was
robbed in December - more about the needs of the family can be learned
by calling the Department of World Mission at 773-907-3316. Cathy
Campobello's recent letter to supporters also had good news to report. A
fish hatchery has been a blessing to the area and matching funds are
being offered for those donating to Covenant Kids Foundation Fish
Farm-Colombia, which has helped to finance the effort. Campobello is
hoping to help start a Covenant music and worship academy and values the
prayers of Covenanters as she prepares for coordinating that ministry.
FIPEC, The Evangelical Covenant Church of Colombia founded in 1968,
represents 35 churches from three regions with a total average worship
attendance of more than 4,000 adults. For more information, contact Gary
Sander by email at mission@pactocol.org .
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