In Bogota Olivia met the leaders of the three largest Evangelical Churches in Colombia. He first visited the "International Charismatic Mission", a "cell-based" church where the life of the Church takes place in small groups of twelve people. In particular, he met three associates of the senior pastor, Cesar Castellanos.
This Church, spread in various cities of Colombia, has 200,000 members in Bogota. Olivier was able to attend one of the seven churches that brings together 10,000 people each service and he was able to share the vision of JC2033 from the stage.
Another important visit was to Hector Pardo, senior pastor of the "Mi Tabernaculo" Church. Nicknamed the "Colombian Billy Graham", he is highly respected in the Evangelical Churches and is himself passionate for the vision of JC2033: "Jesus is our model. He brings us into his church, which is the family of God. His passion is unity: Father, let all be one ... so that the world will believe! If the various denominations, whatever they may be, come together for this project, the Church will truly be the Body of Christ. And it is through his body that he acts on the earth. 2033 will be a very special year. Let us be united to proclaim that God has glorified Christ!
The Resurrection of Jesus; the Heart of the Identity of all Christians
Fulvia Canias, founder and manager with her husband Eduardo of a "megachurch", the Iglesia Manantial, reacted very positively to the vision of JC2033. She asked Olivier to speak to 35 pastors of this Church. "When I was at Jesus' tomb in Jerusalem, I thought we were not celebrating his death, but his resurrection. It is He who gives us our identity ... We celebrate 2000 years of his victory, all Christians unite to proclaim to the world with one voice: "Jesus Christ is alive! ", Fulvia says forcefully (see here the video where she speaks-ES).
Another beautiful meeting was with Ms. Lorena Rios Cuellar, the director of the Department of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior of Colombia. Passionate about the JC2033 project, she tried to understand the link between the churches and the government to organize a Colombian celebration for the 2000 years of the resurrection. "I am united in the cause of this celebration and am very happy to accompany you, for such an important event. We must unite to celebrate, because the resurrection is the heart of our identity as Christians. This will be a historic celebration in the history of Colombia, "she told O. Fleury (see here the video where she speaks-ES).
Olivier also met several movements, such as "Le Grain de Blé", which is committed to ministering to children. Its manager; Patricia Rodrigues Mancera wonders how to prepare children and young people for 2033. Olivier proposed maybe a new volume to his novel "On the road to 2033". As she is finishing her training as a writer, maybe she will write the story of a young Colombian between 2029 and 2033!
Liz Poveda Enriquez, head of Open House, a movement in the service of persecuted Christians, is commited to the Indians of Colombian Amazonia. Many have been murdered by armed groups when they refuse drug trafficking. They are also discriminated against by Catholics if they convert to evangelical faith. "It's persecution from another time. I do not understand that it still exists, she says. But the vision of JC2033 brings hope because we will be part of a global movement and we will not be forgotten."
In Cartagena, the Joy of the Young!
In Cartagena, O. Fleury met with local pastors and especially the local community of Youth With A Mission (JUCUM). In a time of prayer, a hundred young people prayed for one hour for the approach of 2033.
At another meeting of this international movement, Olivier spoke of God's love for the world. At the end, he proposed to pray for the young ... and for two hours Olivier prayed for the 250 young people present, one after the other!
"These young people, who knew nothing about the project, discerned the issues. I was impressed. It was truly a time of mutual blessing, "says Olivier.
His visit to this coastal city ended with his participation in the Gathering of Pastoral Evangelicals of Colombia, with more than 300 leaders.
It is a meeting similar to that of "Transvision" in French-speaking Switzerland, where people meet for three days. After his intervention, many came to talk to him to express their desire to collaborate in the future. At the request of the leader of the Christian Evangelical Schools (more than 900), O. Fleury was interviewed for a video that will be shown!
And the Catholic Church?
In all our travels, we try to visit the various churches. In Colombia, the Catholic Church is in the majority. Before and during the trip, O. Fleury and Markus Buser, the YWAM-Colombia leader who prepared many visits, tried to contact the Catholic leaders. But without success!
"By the grace of God, I have been able to meet most of the evangelical and Pentecostal leaders of Colombia, but it must be realized that the unity between the leaders of the Catholic Church and the Evangelical Churches is not currently on the agenda, even if there are some good local relations. It is the subject of prayer to understand how it will be possible to live the 2000 years of the resurrection of Christ in unity. Maybe Pope Francis, who is open to evangelicals, will help change this situation? Suggests O. Fleury
And so a second trip is planned, where we will need to visit the Catholic authorities and set up the JC2033 office for Latin America. We entrust these next steps to your prayers.
Martin Hoegger
Main Image - MCI12 Church Columbia
