Maranatha Volunteers International Announces New Mission Effort in Colombia Starting in 2027

Maranatha Volunteers International announced during its forty-eighth annual convention that it will begin work in Colombia, starting in 2027. The announcement was made at the Mission: Maranatha event held in Sacramento, California, where nearly 1,600 attendees gathered. The organization highlighted the opportunity as a response to the request of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Colombia, which has long sought assistance in developing worship spaces and addressing community needs.

The collaboration with the Colombian church was discussed during meetings in August between Maranatha leaders and church officials. Social and political challenges previously hindered Maranatha’s involvement in the country, with only a few projects undertaken in the 1970s and 1990s. However, recent improvements in conditions have created a favorable environment for renewed engagement.

Don Noble, president of Maranatha, emphasized the importance of foundational work in any new country. “Anytime we enter a new country, there is a lot of foundational work to be done,” he said. “But [God] has never let us down. By faith we know that our work in Colombia will not be the exception.”

Henry Beltran, president of the Adventist Church in southern Colombia, expressed gratitude during his presentation at the convention. “We have a large need for places that are for the purpose of worshipping the Lord. There are many congregations that need a proper space. . . . We have been praying for Maranatha to come and help us for 20 years, and today that wait is over.”

The convention also featured testimonies from volunteers whose lives have been transformed by Maranatha missions. Adventist leaders from various regions shared their visions for expanding missions and expressed appreciation for Maranatha’s contributions. The event included performances by the Aeolians, Oakwood University’s award-winning choir, celebrating 80 years of service.

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