H7 Story: A Hunger For God's Word
“We need a church. We need shepherds. We need teachers. We need trainers. Will you help us?”
In late November, Matthew and Sheila Nasekos, Travis Chapman, and Tessa Gourley traveled together to Colombia as we began to work towarding partnering there to help with church planting. We asked these individuals to share what the trip was like for them. Tessa Gourley could not respond as she was headed to another mission opportunity in Honduras directly from Columbia. But the other three individuals each shared about this experience.
While this article is a little on the long side, we wanted to include the majority of what was said as there was just so much incredibly exciting things to share!
Matthew Nasekos
I have been a part of mission opportunities for over 30 years but I have never seen such a hunger for God’s Word as I saw in Colombia.
“We need a church. We need shepherds. We need teachers. We need trainers. Will you help us? Could you bring theological resources and Bibles? Could you train our church planters, church leaders, parents, and youth?”
This is what the pastors and church planters requested before our visit and when we arrived, they were ready.
Day One: We spent the day in Bogota with the Colombian Church Planting Team that requested our visit. We got to know one another, shared about FCC, and learned more of their desire to plant Biblically faithful churches that plant additional churches. “Too many Christians and churches in Colombia are too focused on themselves while there are many here that do not have shepherds or access to the gospel. We want to make disciples that make disciples,” one of their leaders told us. The Colombian Church Planting Team is so on fire for spreading the gospel and establishing healthy churches in their land.
Day Two: About 75 people were gathered (in a community the population of Greeneville that has no church) to be taught God’s Word. We walked through the gospel with everyone, held a workshop on the power and freedom of trusting and teaching God’s Word (God’s Word Does The Work!), shared about Biblical Manhood and Womanhood to parents, and taught the youth and children. Our team did an amazing job teaching and encouraging the people. It was a joy to be both with the Colombian people and our team from FCC!
I was struck with how blessed we are here in Greene County. We have rich, faithful teaching of God’s Word, plentiful biblical resources, and many other blessings. We met people that have never owned a Bible, did not have the Bible in their language until this year, have very little resources, are impoverished and living in a state of malnutrition . . . and they will make great sacrifices to be taught about God.
Day Three: We visited a church in an area of the city full of homeless people, children included. This is the only church in this area, and when the doors opened, people filled the room. We worshiped, encouraged them, shared the gospel, fed them, offered them showers, clothed them, offered haircuts, and prayed with them. I asked the pastor if there were other churches nearby or if others come to serve with them. He said, “Most are afraid to come here, and there are no other churches.” We prayed with him and spent time encouraging him in his work.
Day Four: We visited some of the most impoverished people living in mud huts where water is scarce. (It is an arid part of Colombia). A pastor told us, “Our goal is to plant churches to reach another nineteen communities further in. The further in you go, the more difficult and dangerous it becomes, but we want all of our people to know Jesus.” I asked how FCC could help, and he said, “Teach us. Train us. Help us get Bibles and Biblical curriculum for our children.” When I asked if they needed anything else, he said, “Shade. There is an area where many people walk long distances to gather under a tree to hear God’s Word preached. Sometimes it is too hot or it rains and the people begin to scatter."
Day Five: Today was Sunday, and we gathered with believers to worship together. Travis faithfully preached from Psalm 126. After worship, we ate together and then the people gathered all day to learn as much as they could from God’s Word. We were with them for nine hours either in worship, preaching, teaching, or eating!
Day Six: We gathered with the Colombian Church Planting Team to reflect on all that we had seen, heard, and done. It was evident to all that there is a great need, for many have no church or have not heard of Jesus; there is a great hunger, for everyone we interacted with is asking to be fed God’s Word and help them reach the unreached; and there are many ready to help. FCC has been asked to answer the call and help plant churches that plant churches . . . both in Greene County and Colombia, South America!
In January, I will be returning to Colombia with Bob Radank, other FCC Members, and Kids Ministry Teachers. Isaac and Mikayla Nasekos, FCC Pillar Leadership Team Member Tessa Gourley, and the LIVE BOLD Interns from Longview will also join us. We would love to take 1-2 more FCCers that will help us teach and train church planters, parents, and youth!
While this article is a little on the long side, we wanted to include the majority of what was said as there was just so much incredibly exciting things to share!
Matthew Nasekos
I have been a part of mission opportunities for over 30 years but I have never seen such a hunger for God’s Word as I saw in Colombia.
“We need a church. We need shepherds. We need teachers. We need trainers. Will you help us? Could you bring theological resources and Bibles? Could you train our church planters, church leaders, parents, and youth?”
This is what the pastors and church planters requested before our visit and when we arrived, they were ready.
Day One: We spent the day in Bogota with the Colombian Church Planting Team that requested our visit. We got to know one another, shared about FCC, and learned more of their desire to plant Biblically faithful churches that plant additional churches. “Too many Christians and churches in Colombia are too focused on themselves while there are many here that do not have shepherds or access to the gospel. We want to make disciples that make disciples,” one of their leaders told us. The Colombian Church Planting Team is so on fire for spreading the gospel and establishing healthy churches in their land.
Day Two: About 75 people were gathered (in a community the population of Greeneville that has no church) to be taught God’s Word. We walked through the gospel with everyone, held a workshop on the power and freedom of trusting and teaching God’s Word (God’s Word Does The Work!), shared about Biblical Manhood and Womanhood to parents, and taught the youth and children. Our team did an amazing job teaching and encouraging the people. It was a joy to be both with the Colombian people and our team from FCC!
I was struck with how blessed we are here in Greene County. We have rich, faithful teaching of God’s Word, plentiful biblical resources, and many other blessings. We met people that have never owned a Bible, did not have the Bible in their language until this year, have very little resources, are impoverished and living in a state of malnutrition . . . and they will make great sacrifices to be taught about God.
Day Three: We visited a church in an area of the city full of homeless people, children included. This is the only church in this area, and when the doors opened, people filled the room. We worshiped, encouraged them, shared the gospel, fed them, offered them showers, clothed them, offered haircuts, and prayed with them. I asked the pastor if there were other churches nearby or if others come to serve with them. He said, “Most are afraid to come here, and there are no other churches.” We prayed with him and spent time encouraging him in his work.
Day Four: We visited some of the most impoverished people living in mud huts where water is scarce. (It is an arid part of Colombia). A pastor told us, “Our goal is to plant churches to reach another nineteen communities further in. The further in you go, the more difficult and dangerous it becomes, but we want all of our people to know Jesus.” I asked how FCC could help, and he said, “Teach us. Train us. Help us get Bibles and Biblical curriculum for our children.” When I asked if they needed anything else, he said, “Shade. There is an area where many people walk long distances to gather under a tree to hear God’s Word preached. Sometimes it is too hot or it rains and the people begin to scatter."
Day Five: Today was Sunday, and we gathered with believers to worship together. Travis faithfully preached from Psalm 126. After worship, we ate together and then the people gathered all day to learn as much as they could from God’s Word. We were with them for nine hours either in worship, preaching, teaching, or eating!
Day Six: We gathered with the Colombian Church Planting Team to reflect on all that we had seen, heard, and done. It was evident to all that there is a great need, for many have no church or have not heard of Jesus; there is a great hunger, for everyone we interacted with is asking to be fed God’s Word and help them reach the unreached; and there are many ready to help. FCC has been asked to answer the call and help plant churches that plant churches . . . both in Greene County and Colombia, South America!
In January, I will be returning to Colombia with Bob Radank, other FCC Members, and Kids Ministry Teachers. Isaac and Mikayla Nasekos, FCC Pillar Leadership Team Member Tessa Gourley, and the LIVE BOLD Interns from Longview will also join us. We would love to take 1-2 more FCCers that will help us teach and train church planters, parents, and youth!
Sheila Nasekos:
We covered lots of ground (both figuratively and literally) from the time our feet hit the ground in Bogota. It was amazing, humbling, convicting, and encouraging, to see the heart of the Colombian people for the gospel to spread and watch Christ’s church flourish in their own country. Whether we were in the high elevations of the refugee squatters village called Panama, or we were at sea level in the sweltering heat of La Guajira, there were people who had a hunger for God‘s Word and a hunger for it to be preached Biblically.
On Thursday of our trip, Matthew and I were able to share with the parents from the community of Panama about the importance of God‘s word in parenting. Imagine 30 women and 2 men jam-packed in a tiny room, eager to discuss God‘s word, full of questions and prayer requests. These parents have tender hearts for their children and desire to see them walking with the Lord. As we took their prayer requests, many of them asked for prayer for their children and their families. I ask that you will join us and praying for them as they seek to parent in difficult circumstances.
Some of my favorite times on the trip were when the Colombian team and the US team talked on the bus rides, or gathered around a meal and discussed the importance of the church, Biblical, faithful, preaching, or how to plant churches that plant churches. Each of those discussions always centered on the fact that the Lord’s hand would have to bless any endeavors that happened. It was really beautiful to see the heart of the Colombians for the growth of Christ Kingdom.
One of my favorite things to do on this trip was to get to know the women. This included the Colombian group as well as the women who are serving currently in Soatcha and the women of the church in La Guajira. To see the way that they serve the church where they are is beautiful. One of the highlights was singing with several of the women after the church service in La Guajira. They sang hymns in Spanish, and I sang in English. What a joy to praise the Lord in song with them.
It was encouraging to meet Colombians from every walk of life being impacted by the preaching of God‘s word, whether in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Bogota or in a remote community where people have only recently gotten the full word of God.
I’m excited to see how the Lord will use this vision trip for his glory and to see how it will impact the trips that take place in January and May 2025. May the Lord use his people. May the Lord continue to use his word, his church and his people for his glory in Columbia
We covered lots of ground (both figuratively and literally) from the time our feet hit the ground in Bogota. It was amazing, humbling, convicting, and encouraging, to see the heart of the Colombian people for the gospel to spread and watch Christ’s church flourish in their own country. Whether we were in the high elevations of the refugee squatters village called Panama, or we were at sea level in the sweltering heat of La Guajira, there were people who had a hunger for God‘s Word and a hunger for it to be preached Biblically.
On Thursday of our trip, Matthew and I were able to share with the parents from the community of Panama about the importance of God‘s word in parenting. Imagine 30 women and 2 men jam-packed in a tiny room, eager to discuss God‘s word, full of questions and prayer requests. These parents have tender hearts for their children and desire to see them walking with the Lord. As we took their prayer requests, many of them asked for prayer for their children and their families. I ask that you will join us and praying for them as they seek to parent in difficult circumstances.
Some of my favorite times on the trip were when the Colombian team and the US team talked on the bus rides, or gathered around a meal and discussed the importance of the church, Biblical, faithful, preaching, or how to plant churches that plant churches. Each of those discussions always centered on the fact that the Lord’s hand would have to bless any endeavors that happened. It was really beautiful to see the heart of the Colombians for the growth of Christ Kingdom.
One of my favorite things to do on this trip was to get to know the women. This included the Colombian group as well as the women who are serving currently in Soatcha and the women of the church in La Guajira. To see the way that they serve the church where they are is beautiful. One of the highlights was singing with several of the women after the church service in La Guajira. They sang hymns in Spanish, and I sang in English. What a joy to praise the Lord in song with them.
It was encouraging to meet Colombians from every walk of life being impacted by the preaching of God‘s word, whether in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Bogota or in a remote community where people have only recently gotten the full word of God.
I’m excited to see how the Lord will use this vision trip for his glory and to see how it will impact the trips that take place in January and May 2025. May the Lord use his people. May the Lord continue to use his word, his church and his people for his glory in Columbia
Travis Chapman
I was not sure what to expect. The only people I knew were the few from FCC that went with me on this trip. After only a few hours of being on Colombian soil, I saw not only a heart for people within this team, but a love and passion for God’s word and the establishment for churches as well. God was already at work and we simply got to be a part of it.
The hunger for God’s word was unlike anything I have experienced. We met with multiple pastors who were training and mentoring other pastors, and yet, they too were eager to grow in their knowledge of the scriptures in order to better communicate it to others.
We held “In Awe of Your Words” expositional training for pastors and other church leaders. In the area of Soacha, we made sure the leaders could explain what the gospel is and what the church is from the Bible. It was awesome to see people turning through pages of the Bible to find answers to these essential questions.
I met with a group of about 25 teenagers, played some games, and shared what it means to be a child of God. I also explained how that reality shapes the rest of our lives and taught them about the necessity of God’s word for their lives.
In La Guajira we visited a few Wayuu (Wha-you) communities. These are indigenous groups of people who speak both Spanish and their native language or Wayuunaiki (Wha-you-naky). The Wayuu communities are made up of 30-40 people, living in mud huts and living off of the land. There are literally hundreds of these communities. Pastor Fabian of The Upper Room Church (the church we worshiped in and I had the opportunity to preach) in La Guajira proper is actively planting churches and training pastors in these communities. The team that FCC is partnering with is stationed in the capital city of Bogota. They love the local church and want the word of God to spread. They wish to plant churches that plant churches.
I was not sure what to expect. The only people I knew were the few from FCC that went with me on this trip. After only a few hours of being on Colombian soil, I saw not only a heart for people within this team, but a love and passion for God’s word and the establishment for churches as well. God was already at work and we simply got to be a part of it.
The hunger for God’s word was unlike anything I have experienced. We met with multiple pastors who were training and mentoring other pastors, and yet, they too were eager to grow in their knowledge of the scriptures in order to better communicate it to others.
We held “In Awe of Your Words” expositional training for pastors and other church leaders. In the area of Soacha, we made sure the leaders could explain what the gospel is and what the church is from the Bible. It was awesome to see people turning through pages of the Bible to find answers to these essential questions.
I met with a group of about 25 teenagers, played some games, and shared what it means to be a child of God. I also explained how that reality shapes the rest of our lives and taught them about the necessity of God’s word for their lives.
In La Guajira we visited a few Wayuu (Wha-you) communities. These are indigenous groups of people who speak both Spanish and their native language or Wayuunaiki (Wha-you-naky). The Wayuu communities are made up of 30-40 people, living in mud huts and living off of the land. There are literally hundreds of these communities. Pastor Fabian of The Upper Room Church (the church we worshiped in and I had the opportunity to preach) in La Guajira proper is actively planting churches and training pastors in these communities. The team that FCC is partnering with is stationed in the capital city of Bogota. They love the local church and want the word of God to spread. They wish to plant churches that plant churches.
How can YOU be involved?
- Be a part of the trip in January. Email Matthew to get more information.
- Give at fccgreene.org/colombia.
- Pray for these groups going to Colombia and for the people of Colombia.