Presbyterian World Mission partners with the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. Founded in 1856 through efforts of our predecessor denomination, the Presbyterian Church in the U.S., the Presbyterian Church of Colombia was the first protestant church established in Colombia, and the first Presbyterian mission in Latin America. We have been engaged in God’s mission in Colombia for 160 years.
From the beginning, education has been a major focus of Presbyterian ministry in Colombia, a legacy which is strongly present today. There are Colegio Americano schools in several cities. The Reformed University in Barranquilla grew out of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where mission co-workers have taught since its founding in 1982. The Presbyterian Church in Columbia also speaks and acts to promote lasting peace in a country plagued by internal armed conflict. Volunteers join the church in its ministry of presence with some of Colombia’s 6 million internally displaced persons. Young Adult Volunteers support all of these ministry areas.
César Carhuachín
Cesar teaches theology and Bible at the Reformed University in Barranquilla.
Read more about his work on his profile page, which you can find here.
Write to Cesar at cesar.carhuachin@pcusa.org.
Sarah Henken
Sarah coordinates the Young Adult Volunteer site in Colombia and also serves as Peace Initiative Promoter with the Synod. She is based in Barranquilla.
Read more about her work on her profile page, which you can find here.
Write to Sarah at sarah.henken@pcusa.org
The Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia is comprised of three presbyteries in northern and central Colombia. Its mission focuses on education, evangelism, and service.
The Reformed University is an accredited institution of higher education operated by the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. Programs include theology, music, psychology, bilingual education, business administration, and environmental engineering.
Sarah Henken, mission co-worker, sarah.henken@pcusa.org
César Caruachin, mission co-worker, cesar.carhuachn@pcusa.org
The Colombia Accompaniment Program sends volunteers from the US church to accompany the Colombian church as it does courageous work to promote peace and reconciliation in Colombia. Volunteers apply through Presbyterian World Mission and receive training from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship prior to spending a month offering a ministry of presence in Colombia.
The Colombia Mission Network connects US and Colombian Presbyterians in mutual mission, (ColombiaMissionNetwork@gmail.com). The following Presbyteries are active in the Colombia Mission Network:
The Young Adult Volunteer Program opened a site in Colombia in 2014. YAVs gain a new perspective on what it means to be church through service with the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia or Presbyterian Church of Colombia. They live and work alongside the church, learning from and contributing to its holistic witness. The program aims to develop globally-minded leaders and cultivate awareness of the interconnections between church and society in the U.S. and Colombia.
