All Things Work Together for Good
As the deterioration of Venezuela’s
economy made daily survival increasingly
complicated, Yennys
realized that she had no other
option but to pack what little she
could carry and leave her home
and everything that was familiar.
She and her husband, Julio, immigrated
to Colombia and settled in
the marginalized neighborhood
near Belén Rincón in Medellín.
Almost 2 million Venezuelans
have settled in Colombia, resulting in harsh competition for
scarce employment opportunities and frequent maltreatment
by frustrated Colombians who see their opportunities
shrinking. However, the Interamerican Church, founded by
One Mission Society, has been actively seeking to serve
Venezuelans settling in their communities. Eder Payares
(trained in the OMS-founded Biblical Seminary of Colombia)
and his wife, Maritza, lead an Interamerican church in Belén
Rincón. The congregation began ministering to Yennys and
her husband, who responded to the Gospel and began
attending the church, where they met OMS missionaries
Chris and Heather Williams. Heather and
Maritza invited Yennys to attend a Dynamic Women in
Missions training event in Medellín called Seed Sowers.
Yennys was a young Christian and very timid about sharing
her faith with others. She attended the training and learned
practical and easy techniques to begin a spiritual conversation
with others. Equipped with a newfound confidence
and passion for Christ, she began sharing her faith with others
in her neighborhood. Pastor Eder recognized her passion
and commitment and has encouraged and equipped
her to begin a small-group church in her home in the barrio.
Today, Yennys is the leader of a small house church of about
25 people in a marginalized community. Pastor Eder and
Maritza continue to disciple and offer support as Yennys
leads the small congregation, using the house church planting
model of OMS, which has yielded more than 20,000
house churches in Colombia.
From the crisis and suffering caused by political, social,
and economic collapse to a new life in Christ with purpose
and direction, Yennys is an example of how God causes all
things to work together for good for those who are called
according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). We also see how
God weaves the relationships and ministries of OMS and
our national church partners to make disciples who are
making disciples and starting churches.
59,102 worshiping groups 217,022 decisions 24,219 baptisms
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