H7 Story: Exceeded Our Expectations
From Mark Liebert
People have been asking me about my mission trip to Colombia in January. Sometimes it’s hard to put an experience into a few words, but not this time. My response has consistently been, “It exceeded my expectations!” Let me tell you why.
Matthew Nasekos (Longview Camp Director) organized the trip so that their “Live Bold” interns (and former interns) could run a camp for about 40 underprivileged kids from around Bogota. His team of young men and women did a wonderful job loving the kids, teaching them about Jesus, and modeling God’s compassion for the unreached.
Matthew asked Bob Radank and me to come along and teach Bible and Theology to a group of 12 Colombian adults. These adults are men and women who love Jesus, have a heart for church planting in their native country, and who recognize their need to grow and learn as leaders. I was also given a chance to preach in a local church. (I learned Spanish as a missionary kid in South America).
I expected long days, lots of teaching (with translation help from Camila, as needed), some challenging circumstances, and less than adequate sleep – and all of that held true. However, there were several things I didn’t expect, which is why the trip was so memorable for me.
I didn’t expect to teach people who were hungry for the Word of God. Have you ever taught for multiple hours on end to an audience that listened carefully, took detailed notes, asked lots of questions, and even recorded the entire event so they could replay it later to others? Well, I hadn’t either…until now, and I can tell you this – it’s both motivating and incredibly humbling (James 3:1-2).
I didn’t expect to have impromptu conversations that were deeply personal. In one situation, I met a man’s three-year-old daughter had died unexpectedly about a year and a half ago. He was told that she had died because either he or his wife had sinned. Instead of receiving comfort, he received shame and guilt. I was able to share with him how Jesus confronted this lie with the man born blind (John 9:1-3) and rejected it completely. I explained how every sin we have ever committed (or will commit) is covered by the blood of Christ who provides continual cleansing (I John 1:9), such that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). I could see the relief and peace in his eyes. We prayed (and cried) together.
I didn’t expect that I would build friendships in the short time we spent together. But since I’ve returned home I’ve had continued What’s App conversations with some of my new Colombian friends, and we are praying for one another (Ephesians 1:15-16).
There is much more that can be said, but I would simply ask that you pray for us. We need wisdom regarding how to continue supporting the work God is clearly doing in Colombia. He is on the move!
People have been asking me about my mission trip to Colombia in January. Sometimes it’s hard to put an experience into a few words, but not this time. My response has consistently been, “It exceeded my expectations!” Let me tell you why.
Matthew Nasekos (Longview Camp Director) organized the trip so that their “Live Bold” interns (and former interns) could run a camp for about 40 underprivileged kids from around Bogota. His team of young men and women did a wonderful job loving the kids, teaching them about Jesus, and modeling God’s compassion for the unreached.
Matthew asked Bob Radank and me to come along and teach Bible and Theology to a group of 12 Colombian adults. These adults are men and women who love Jesus, have a heart for church planting in their native country, and who recognize their need to grow and learn as leaders. I was also given a chance to preach in a local church. (I learned Spanish as a missionary kid in South America).
I expected long days, lots of teaching (with translation help from Camila, as needed), some challenging circumstances, and less than adequate sleep – and all of that held true. However, there were several things I didn’t expect, which is why the trip was so memorable for me.
I didn’t expect to teach people who were hungry for the Word of God. Have you ever taught for multiple hours on end to an audience that listened carefully, took detailed notes, asked lots of questions, and even recorded the entire event so they could replay it later to others? Well, I hadn’t either…until now, and I can tell you this – it’s both motivating and incredibly humbling (James 3:1-2).
I didn’t expect to have impromptu conversations that were deeply personal. In one situation, I met a man’s three-year-old daughter had died unexpectedly about a year and a half ago. He was told that she had died because either he or his wife had sinned. Instead of receiving comfort, he received shame and guilt. I was able to share with him how Jesus confronted this lie with the man born blind (John 9:1-3) and rejected it completely. I explained how every sin we have ever committed (or will commit) is covered by the blood of Christ who provides continual cleansing (I John 1:9), such that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). I could see the relief and peace in his eyes. We prayed (and cried) together.
I didn’t expect that I would build friendships in the short time we spent together. But since I’ve returned home I’ve had continued What’s App conversations with some of my new Colombian friends, and we are praying for one another (Ephesians 1:15-16).
There is much more that can be said, but I would simply ask that you pray for us. We need wisdom regarding how to continue supporting the work God is clearly doing in Colombia. He is on the move!
From Bob Radank
In January, Matthew Nasekos invited Mark Liebert and me to provide theological training for a group of 12 Colombian adults. While the interns ran a youth camp, Mark and I shared 12 lectures over three days, teaching on the order of salvation as well as on topics like “What is a Church?” and “How to Make Disciples.” The time in Colombia was profoundly meaningful—what some might call “life-changing.” But rather than just a cliché, the experience had a deep impact on me.
I saw a hunger for God’s Word unlike anything I’ve encountered. People eagerly listened, took notes, and even recorded our lectures. The depth of their engagement challenged me to examine my own hunger for Scripture.
There was also a strong motivation to change. One man, who ran a nonprofit he considered a church, listened intently to my lecture on biblical church structure. At the end, he asked if his organization met the biblical requirements for a church. I gently explained that it did not. Without hesitation, he expressed a desire to transform it into a true church. His humility in responding to truth so quickly reminded me to be just as willing to change.
I also witnessed a deep yearning for accountability and fellowship. The Colombian leaders shared how their churches had become inward-focused, yet these individuals were actively involved in outreach. Many longed for stronger connections with like-minded believers, making me reflect on the blessings of the friendships and mentors God has placed in my life—and how easy it is to take them for granted.
There were many other lessons, but time won’t allow me to share them all. Please pray as FCC leadership considers how we can continue supporting these faithful servants. All of us who went on this trip were stirred by the possibilities of future work, seeing that God is doing life-changing things in Colombia. May He do the same in us as He uses us for His glory!
In January, Matthew Nasekos invited Mark Liebert and me to provide theological training for a group of 12 Colombian adults. While the interns ran a youth camp, Mark and I shared 12 lectures over three days, teaching on the order of salvation as well as on topics like “What is a Church?” and “How to Make Disciples.” The time in Colombia was profoundly meaningful—what some might call “life-changing.” But rather than just a cliché, the experience had a deep impact on me.
I saw a hunger for God’s Word unlike anything I’ve encountered. People eagerly listened, took notes, and even recorded our lectures. The depth of their engagement challenged me to examine my own hunger for Scripture.
There was also a strong motivation to change. One man, who ran a nonprofit he considered a church, listened intently to my lecture on biblical church structure. At the end, he asked if his organization met the biblical requirements for a church. I gently explained that it did not. Without hesitation, he expressed a desire to transform it into a true church. His humility in responding to truth so quickly reminded me to be just as willing to change.
I also witnessed a deep yearning for accountability and fellowship. The Colombian leaders shared how their churches had become inward-focused, yet these individuals were actively involved in outreach. Many longed for stronger connections with like-minded believers, making me reflect on the blessings of the friendships and mentors God has placed in my life—and how easy it is to take them for granted.
There were many other lessons, but time won’t allow me to share them all. Please pray as FCC leadership considers how we can continue supporting these faithful servants. All of us who went on this trip were stirred by the possibilities of future work, seeing that God is doing life-changing things in Colombia. May He do the same in us as He uses us for His glory!
