Category Archives: Children
Huge Family News! — September-October 2025 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
We are grateful for what God has done over the past months here in Colombia. Every soul saved, every child fed, every leader trained is a reminder of His faithfulness. Thank you for enabling this mission through your prayers and giving.
Medical Missions Outreach Clinic
This year’s Optical Clinic campaign was our largest ever — with over 1,800 people receiving free eye exams and prescription glasses across two locations. Nearly 200 volunteers from our churches joined a team of 28 from MMO to make it happen. Most importantly, 275 individuals made professions of faith in Christ! Praise God for how He uses physical care to open doors for eternal healing.
Terriffic Women’s Conference
In October, our churches came together for a special two-day women’s conference held in a rented convention center. More than 100 women attended and were strengthened in their walk with Christ. Each woman received a book on living a Gospel-centered life, a gift that continues the work long after the event.
Ministry Travels
In September, I (Aaron) made a brief trip to Mexico for a discipleship and leadership conference. Then in October, I traveled to the United States to visit and preach in three supporting churches. These opportunities to reconnect and share what God is doing on the field were a great encouragement.
HUGE NEWS: We Are Adopting!
We’re thrilled to share that after more than two years of working with Colombian authorities, we are adopting a baby boy! Our son, Alexander, who is just over one year old and was born here in Bucaramanga, will come home to us on November 20th. The girls are beyond excited — and yes, he’ll have five mothers!
Thank You For Your Partnership
Your prayers and monthly support make all of this possible. Together, we are seeing lives changed and churches strengthened across Colombia. We’ve just released a short video update highlighting what God is doing—we’d love for you to watch and share it! I’ll include the link below.
Thank you for standing with us as we serve in Colombia — we couldn’t do it without you!
With Grateful Hearts,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
—Ephesians 3:20–21—
Here is a quick 2025 ministry update video:
https://youtu.be/ILi0hIy66EA
God’s Vibrant Work In Colombia — June-August 2025 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
The Gospel ministry has been as busy as ever here in Colombia, and God continues to bless. Rejoice with us in how he has worked over the past months.
Successful Youth Camp
Around 100 youth from our churches gathered in June for our third annual youth camp at a retreat center just outside our city. We also had the privilege this year of having a group of leaders and teens from one of our supporting churches, Trinity Baptist Church in Georgia. Our young people were challenged to believe the Gospel and live for God with the theme “Heroes of the Faith” based on Hebrews 11. Praise God, several were saved and made decisions for Christ!
Agape Finally Owns A Building!
After years of saving as a church and fundraising in the States, we finalized the purchase of the facility for Agape Baptist Church. The church isn’t a building, but it’s a great tool to continue to reach our community for Christ. Besides services, this building is also used to record Gospel programming in our studio, conduct Bible Institute training, host medical clinics, and offer many other events. Special thanks to those who sent special offerings to help us achieve this goal.
Another Year Of Faithfulness
The first church we started here in Colombia, El Faro, has continued to grow and remain faithful over the years. We had the privilege of helping them celebrate their eleventh anniversary in July. One of the highlights of each visit is seeing how many of the initial leaders we trained continue to love and serve God. Many are investing their lives in others as well. This is why we’re here!
Family Funnies…
Amira (15) has been playing on a local basketball team. She’s been getting terrific, especially at sinking three-pointer shots! Aubrie says it’s because of all the practice she had growing up, tossing her little sisters’ diapers in the trash.
Upcoming Events
Believe it or not, we are about to enter an even crazier season of life and ministry. Please pray for our upcoming evangelistic optical clinic with Medical Missions Outreach in September, as well as a large women’s conference in October. Both of these are opportunities to shine the light of the Gospel into the hearts and lives of those around us.
We are staying busy for the Lord. Pray that He continues to give us strength and grace for each challenge. It is an honor to serve Him!
Once again, thank you for standing with us in prayer and financial support. God is adding much fruit to your accounts!
Love In The LORD,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”
—Ruth 2:12—
Here is a video version of this prayer letter update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxaH_LI4oIo
The Gospel Works! — May 2025 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
We praise the Lord for the many opportunities he is opening up for us here in Colombia. We never tire of seeing people come to know Him!
Easter Celebration
Every day is a gift from God, and as believers, every week we celebrate the resurrection of Christ in our churches. But there’s just something special about Easter Sunday. We praise the Lord for multiple guests, professions of faith, baptisms, and new members joining each of the local congregations here in Bucaramanga. The churches are full and the tomb is empty!
Spreading The Gospel
The more we understand the Gospel, the more we are compelled to share it! Recently, our churches have seen significant fruit through tract distribution, outreach events, and especially our Online presence. Our YouTube channel (@verdadenamorbga) has been experiencing massive growth, with tens of thousands of people watching and hearing the gospel each week. We praise the Lord for each opportunity to lead others to Him!
Children’s Day
The last Saturday of April is known as Children’s Day here in Colombia. As in years past, this year we had a blast celebrating by inviting kids from the area and hosting a big event. Besides the games, face-painting, candy, meal, skits, and fun songs, we show them Jesus. Between events at our churches and the nonprofit center, hundreds of kids and their parents heard the Gospel, and dozens made professions of faith in Christ for salvation. What joy!
Quick Visit To The USA
At the end of May, we were able to travel to the States to visit family and a couple of our supporting churches. On our first Sunday back, I preached at our sending church, Lighthouse Baptist in Dawsonville, GA, and several people made professions of faith following the sermon. Praise the Lord!
Youth Camp
Please pray for our annual teen and singles camp, which is scheduled to take place at the end of June. We’ll be hosting a group from one of our supporting churches, Trinity Baptist Church in Georgia. We expect around 100 young people from our churches, and we’re praying that God will work mightily in their lives. Many teens have the desire to attend, but they lack the necessary resources. Would you consider sponsoring one or more? The cost is approximately $50 per person, and donations can be sent to Macedonia, marked “Aaron Vance — camp.”
Thank you, once again, for holding the ropes for us as we minister in Colombia. We are constantly amazed at God’s faithfulness and the work that He is doing here in us and through us. It’s all about Him!
With Love and Prayers,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
—Ephesians 3:20-21—
Spiritual Fruit Abounding! — March 2025 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
What a year it has already been! Join us in rejoicing over God’s blessings on the ministry here in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
The Refuge Of Life Center
In February, we launched a nonprofit feeding and education center in conjunction with our church in the Café Madrid neighborhood. We are serving around 50 underprivileged children each day. We provide a hot meal (often the only food they’ll have all day), help with their homework, and—most importantly—offer them hope. The children receive daily time in the Word, along with mentorship, counseling, and practical discipleship tailored to their individual needs and maturity level. We’re already seeing fruit from this program!
A project of this magnitude is quite costly. A generous donation from Impact Others helped us start strong, and we’re now working toward launching small businesses to support local families and ensure long-term sustainability.
Discipleship Initiative
Christ’s mandate to make disciples has always been at the heart of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) and the core of our ministry. This year, we reorganized our format and efforts at Ágape Baptist Church as a pilot program for our other ministries, and the results have been fantastic!
We meet in several small groups, each comprising 4–12 people, all of whom are reading through the Bible using the same reading plan. Each person highlights verses and passages that stand out to them, and we meet weekly to pray and discuss those highlights. Additionally, we incorporate outside readings to cover doctrine and the Christian life. It’s a reproducible and sustainable model, and I have high hopes for the long-term fruit it will bear.
Men’s Retreat
In March, we once again organized and hosted a camp for about 50 men from our churches. Over the course of a few days, we explored Scripture, focusing on the process God uses to form, purify, strengthen, and prepare us for spiritual battle. I thank the Lord for the way He is forging these men of valor!
Milestone Birthdays
We celebrated Aubrie’s birthday and Aris’s 10th in February, and in March, Amira’s quinceañera—a special Latin American tradition marking her 15th birthday and her transition into young womanhood. We’re proud of the godly young ladies our daughters are becoming!
Isn’t it amazing to be part of God’s work? We thank you for your prayers and financial support, which enable us to minister here in Colombia. This is eternal fruit—and it abounds to your account!
With Grateful Hearts,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
—Philippians 4:17—
God is still working, even in the middle of COVID19! – March 2020 Prayer Letter
Dear praying friends and family,
Many of you will agree that this year has already proven to be one of the most unique and challenging we have faced. But Christ is still faithful! Join us as we review God’s great work here in Colombia, and we look forward to the days ahead.
Church Growth
During the last two months, we experienced a surge of new converts and attenders in our churches. We rejoice in seeing several baptized, 21 adults in our most recent new members class, dozens now in discipleship, and 12 additional students in our Bible Institute. All three of our churches have grown, and we praise the Lord for how he is building his church.
Evangelistic Events
In February, we held evangelistic events for area children. We were able to reach over 150 kids through the local ministries of each of our three churches! Additionally, we took a team of 5 people to the remote village of Bocas Del Rosario. To get there, we drove 4 hours to a river port city, then took a small motorboat up the river for 3 hours. Over that weekend, we held Bible-Club style classes for 100 children, as well as an evening service for 80 adults (nearly everyone in the entire village!). The team plans to return each month, and the locals are asking us to start a church soon. Pray for wisdom in this new opportunity. We praise the Lord for dozens of professions of faith during each event.
Television and Media Outreach
In March, we hosted a team from Christian Media International. They have been raising funds to help us improve our media outreach and to get on local and national television. We’re very excited about this new door that is opening up to get the Gospel message to millions of Colombians who have yet to hear. They finished up their quick visit and brought us a couple of cameras to get started just before the outbreak of the Coronavirus. We must now go to digital services. God’s timing is impeccable!
COVID-19 In Colombia
Yes, we’re feeling the effects of this worldwide pandemic. Since mid-March, our city and country have been on total lock-down. All schools and most businesses are closed. Nobody can leave their houses except to get groceries and medicine, and all public meetings are banned, including churches. Police and military check every person that is out to see if they have a permit or a valid reason to leave their home, heavily fining those who violate the lock-down. Everything changed quickly, and we have tried to adapt. Our main church has gone entirely online, for now, using Facebook and YouTube to hold our services, as well as doing daily Bible studies. We have stayed connected to most of our people, and have even reached new people during this time. Our second and third churches have suffered more, as they are in more vulnerable areas, and not everyone has a reliable Internet connection or a device to watch services. The people, like many around the world, are hurting financially. Most aren’t able to work and were already living day-to-day. We have tried to deliver essential food supplies to those who need it most. It has been a great chance to minister even more and fulfill 1 John 3:16-18. Pray for us as we try to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Any additional support during this time will allow us to provide for more families.
Our Living Hope
There are many uncertainties and changes in our world today. Historically, that is when Christianity flourishes the most! When the pressure is applied, what’s on the inside comes out. As Christians, we have a living hope. We ought not to find our joy and identity in present circumstances, in health, in investment accounts, in job stability, or even in ministry itself. Our hope is in Christ, and HE never changes. We trust him to provide for us. We also pray for you as you go through much of the same there in the United States. We love you, and thank you for your faithfulness. Let us know how we can pray for you!
For Such A Time As This,
Aaron, Aubrie, Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea Vance
Enjoy some recent pictures from the ministry…
We had our very first Valentine’s banquet with 100 people present! 
We recognized over 50 ladies for International Women’s Day, which became our last “normal” service. 
Some children from the river village. Thank God for this open door! 
Thanks to CMI, we are able to broadcast the Gospel online and soon on Television! 
Facemasks, closed businesses, and military presence is now our new “normal.”
The Vance Family 
