Biblical Seminary of Colombia
80
Years of
Impact
By Steve Rehner , Field Director , Colombia
Eighty years ago , during World War II and a time of political and religious persecution in Colombia , God did something only he could do . He created a “ stream ” in the desert .
In 1943 , OMS entered Colombia . By 1944 , OMS missionaries were searching for a property to establish a seminary to train the nation ’ s men and women . At that time in Colombian history , many landowners did not want to sell to evangelicals . However , one doctor , desperate to leave the country , was willing to sell his property to OMS for $ 20,000 — a considerable discount ! But he needed the money immediately . Without knowing where the funds would come from , the missionaries , in faith , agreed to purchase this property on the outskirts of Medellín .
The next morning , after making the purchase agreement , the missionaries found four checks for $ 5,000 each in the Mission ’ s postal box downtown ! Lettie
Cowman , then OMS President and the author of the devotional book Streams in the Desert , had instructed her assistant two weeks earlier to empty the Streams royalties account and send all these funds to Colombia . This is an amazing example of God ’ s prompting and provision and why the first building on the property was named Streams .
The streams of God ’ s blessing have continued to pour from the Biblical Seminary of Colombia over these past 80 years , drenching Colombia and Latin America with theologically prepared men and women . The beautiful six-acre campus sits on the side of the valley overlooking Medellín ’ s sprawling five-millionperson metropolitan area . Back then , the seminary was rural , with open fields , cows , and pastureland . Now , the city has expanded and encompassed the campus entirely . The campus still has one of the most beautiful views in the world ; you can
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