Covenant News

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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