Recently, Grover Duling (national executive board chair), Scott Kinnick (Vice-chair), and Jose’ Calleja (regional elder in Puerto Rico) traveled to Colombia, South America, to the town of Cucuta, to meet with the leaders of 16 churches from Venezuela. They are independent Churches led by Pastor Humberto Velasco. Pastor Velasco is familiar with the Brethren teachings, so he sought out Pastor Calleja to see if the Covenant Brethren Church may be a Denomination for which his Churches could belong. What attracted them to the Brethren, is how everyone is equal in the Church and a high importance placed on the Word of God, the Bible.
They met for pastoral training provided by Pastor Calleja. They stated that this was something they very much appreciated and would benefit from more training. They also met to see if the Covenant Brethren Church was something they wanted to be a part of. Our leaders shared with them what CBC was founded on, our statement of faith, and for what we stood. Brother Grover led a session explaining the statement of faith and what they may expect if they choose to seek membership.
They realized they were meeting with brothers in Christ who shared with humility and listened to their struggles. The reason they had to meet across the border in Colombia was that it was not safe for our people to go to Venezuela. Although there were 16 pastors there, representing their 16 churches, these pastors said they knew of many others near them that were waiting for word of how this meeting would go. They too are wanting to know about the Covenant Brethren Church.
These churches are not asking for financial help. They seek training, structure, and a body that will pray with them in their ministry and challenges. Everyone present shared what a beautiful time of worship this was together and Grover, Scott, and Jose’ left with a feeling of excitement and blessing over the possibility of welcoming these fellow Brethren into the denomination.
While in Cucuta, Colombia, our representatives also had the opportunity to visit the office of Samaritan’s Purse, our partner in ministry. This group provides much-needed medical assistance and counseling in the name of Jesus for people immigrating from Venezuela.
They were excited to see Covenant Brethren Church working in South America since the churches that may join us would then already be linked to Samaritan’s Purse through our shared partnership. Although their headquarters is in Bogota they have an office on the border of Venezuela in Cucuta. What a blessing it was to see this wonderful ministry at work in that area of the world and to know that Covenant Brethren Church is a part of that ministry through our partnership.
Overall, this was a blessed trip, and God has once again opened a door for CBC to do ministry beyond our National borders.
Submitted by Craig Howard – Publications Committee
