Mennonite Mission Network — Better a vulnerable seedling than a plant with stubborn roots.
Such is the case in the Colombia Mennonite Church, whose members plant churches and in doing so often make themselves vulnerable—voluntarily.
The result of that vulnerability, according to mission worker Amanda Falla: “[The churches] spring up like flowers.”
When the Fallas first arrived in Barranquilla, serving through Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Church Canada Witness, they didn’t waste any time building relationships for their first church plant. In only three months, a church of 15 people regularly praised God with their instruments and offerings. During the next three years, the church blessed others to leave and begin two more churches.
In the past eight years, along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, five new churches have been planted through the leadership of the Fallas. There is also a Bible study group and several contacts that could grow into churches.
But church planting isn’t easy. Sometimes it requires willingness for people to step outside of their comfort zones.
Pastors Manuel Caicedo and María Elena Ruíz, who are mentored by the Fallas, chose to let God work through their vulnerability.
The married couple opened their home and church as a place of spiritual, emotional and physical renewal, although it meant becoming vulnerable to the suspicion of the community.
The ministry welcomes whoever walks in. Prostitutes, addicts and those with unhealthy relationships were among the first to do so.
This is the first ministry of its kind in the department of Cordoba in Colombia. In the beginning, it was not easy.
“We wanted to try living by faith,” Caicedo said. Many of their neighbors and fellow church members were concerned with what the family was doing and what kind of people they were attracting.
With time, the neighbors grew to understand that becoming a Mennonite meant changing your lifestyle to serve others. Together with the church members, they saw the positive effects that the church had on the lives of the renewed people. Their lives were different now; they re-connected with their families, became involved in the church and were accepted back into the community.
The Caicedos chose to live by faith, and made themselves vulnerable, because of their fervent call to “bring unity in the church, and peace in the community,” said Caicedo. As a result of the ministry of renewal, the church itself has been renewed. Members consider one another family— one that continues to expand.
Colombia hosts one of the world’s largest populations of displaced persons. Due to a war that has lasted nearly 60 years, an estimated 5 million men, women and children have fled from their homes. But Mennonite churches throughout Colombia are making themselves vulnerable to the violence by opening their doors to all.
Despite the potential danger it imposed on them, a few years ago the Fallas welcomed two families into their home.
“They asked us for help,” said Gamaliel Falla. “What could we do?”
Now, the displaced families have made homes elsewhere in Colombia and in Canada.
The Fallas and Caicedos continue God’s work in Colombia and God continues to work through their voluntary vulnerability.
In Colombia’s coastal region, there are seven departments, five of which now have a Mennonite Church presence. The Fallas hope that soon Mennonite churches will have a presence in each of the seven departments.
