H7 Story: Strengthen His Church
The Boat Keeps Moving: God at Work through La Barca
When a church sends a team across borders, the most meaningful impact often continues long after the team returns home. That is what we are seeing through La Barca—the Boat Church—in Bogotá. God is strengthening local believers, equipping leaders, and helping the good news of Jesus travel farther through the faithful work of Colombian Christians.
When a church sends a team across borders, the most meaningful impact often continues long after the team returns home. That is what we are seeing through La Barca—the Boat Church—in Bogotá. God is strengthening local believers, equipping leaders, and helping the good news of Jesus travel farther through the faithful work of Colombian Christians.
Learning to lead like Jesus –
Paola and Andrés are young adults from another church in Bogotá who have a heart to serve and strengthen the local church. Like many believers, they have seen the hurt that can come when pastoral authority is used harshly. During a recent mission trip, they joined teaching based on Paul David Tripp’s book Lead, which calls pastors to serve and shepherd their congregations with humility.
The lessons did not end with the mission trip. Paola and Andrés have been sharing what they learned with people in their own church, and their teaching has been warmly received. It is encouraging to see brothers and sisters take what they have learned and pass it on.
Equipping the next generation –
Michael Schubert, FCC’s Kids Ministry Director, joined the January 2026 team and helped equip La Barca’s children’s ministry leaders with books and curriculum. Since then, the church has translated the materials and begun using them in its Sunday gatherings. Resources shared during a short visit are now helping local leaders teach children week after week.
Paola and Andrés are young adults from another church in Bogotá who have a heart to serve and strengthen the local church. Like many believers, they have seen the hurt that can come when pastoral authority is used harshly. During a recent mission trip, they joined teaching based on Paul David Tripp’s book Lead, which calls pastors to serve and shepherd their congregations with humility.
The lessons did not end with the mission trip. Paola and Andrés have been sharing what they learned with people in their own church, and their teaching has been warmly received. It is encouraging to see brothers and sisters take what they have learned and pass it on.
Equipping the next generation –
Michael Schubert, FCC’s Kids Ministry Director, joined the January 2026 team and helped equip La Barca’s children’s ministry leaders with books and curriculum. Since then, the church has translated the materials and begun using them in its Sunday gatherings. Resources shared during a short visit are now helping local leaders teach children week after week.
Taking biblical teaching to the Wayuu –
Our partnership has also grown through relationships with Wayuu pastors in La Guajira, the northern region of Colombia where the Wayuu people are indigenous. Three years ago, the Wayuu received Scripture in their own language, Wayuunaiki. Pastor Fabián, a Colombian pastor serving in a major city in La Guajira, has spent years traveling to remote villages to encourage pastors and share the gospel.
Through his relationship with leaders at La Barca, Wayuu pastors have joined the theological teaching offered by our teams over the past two years. They have recorded the lectures, translated them into Wayuunaiki, and taught the material in Wayuu communities throughout the year. What begins as a week of teaching is becoming a resource local pastors can continue to share in the language closest to their people.
Our partnership has also grown through relationships with Wayuu pastors in La Guajira, the northern region of Colombia where the Wayuu people are indigenous. Three years ago, the Wayuu received Scripture in their own language, Wayuunaiki. Pastor Fabián, a Colombian pastor serving in a major city in La Guajira, has spent years traveling to remote villages to encourage pastors and share the gospel.
Through his relationship with leaders at La Barca, Wayuu pastors have joined the theological teaching offered by our teams over the past two years. They have recorded the lectures, translated them into Wayuunaiki, and taught the material in Wayuu communities throughout the year. What begins as a week of teaching is becoming a resource local pastors can continue to share in the language closest to their people.
A growing devotion to the Lord –
Wendy is a single mother living in Soacha, an impoverished area where Gospel-centered churches are scarce. Her daughter needs frequent medical care, and Wendy travels to Bogotá several times each week for appointments. La Barca has served families in Soacha for years, providing care and supplies to single mothers. Although the trip takes about two hours and the cost is difficult to manage, Wendy makes the journey to worship with La Barca each Sunday. The church has raised funds to help cover her weekly travel.
During the last mission trip, a team member gave Wendy a 365-day devotional and encouraged her to use it to grow in her walk with the Lord. She now spends some of those long travel hours reading and reflecting on Scripture. It is a small, steady picture of God using his people to encourage faith.
Our next opportunity to serve –
From January 15–23, 2027, FCC will return to Colombia in partnership with five churches. One team will serve alongside La Barca in Bogotá, while another will minister in La Guajira. Both teams will provide theological teaching and host a children’s VBS. In Bogotá, the teaching will also include a women’s session. In La Guajira, the team plans to provide medical care and build thatched-roof shelters for two churches that currently meet beneath a tree.
Please pray for the churches, pastors, children, and families who will take part. Ask the Lord to strengthen La Barca and its ministry partners, to make the teaching fruitful, and to help many Colombians find and follow Jesus. We are grateful that the Lord is using this partnership to build up His church—and that the work continues in the hands of local believers long after a mission team comes home.
To learn more about La Barca’s recent work in earthquake-ravaged areas and learn more about their ministry and outreach in Bogotá, click here.
Wendy is a single mother living in Soacha, an impoverished area where Gospel-centered churches are scarce. Her daughter needs frequent medical care, and Wendy travels to Bogotá several times each week for appointments. La Barca has served families in Soacha for years, providing care and supplies to single mothers. Although the trip takes about two hours and the cost is difficult to manage, Wendy makes the journey to worship with La Barca each Sunday. The church has raised funds to help cover her weekly travel.
During the last mission trip, a team member gave Wendy a 365-day devotional and encouraged her to use it to grow in her walk with the Lord. She now spends some of those long travel hours reading and reflecting on Scripture. It is a small, steady picture of God using his people to encourage faith.
Our next opportunity to serve –
From January 15–23, 2027, FCC will return to Colombia in partnership with five churches. One team will serve alongside La Barca in Bogotá, while another will minister in La Guajira. Both teams will provide theological teaching and host a children’s VBS. In Bogotá, the teaching will also include a women’s session. In La Guajira, the team plans to provide medical care and build thatched-roof shelters for two churches that currently meet beneath a tree.
Please pray for the churches, pastors, children, and families who will take part. Ask the Lord to strengthen La Barca and its ministry partners, to make the teaching fruitful, and to help many Colombians find and follow Jesus. We are grateful that the Lord is using this partnership to build up His church—and that the work continues in the hands of local believers long after a mission team comes home.
To learn more about La Barca’s recent work in earthquake-ravaged areas and learn more about their ministry and outreach in Bogotá, click here.