Category Archives: Events
Blessings and Burdens — June 2024 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
The past couple of months have been blessed, though filled with trials. Through it all, we praise God for his goodness and faithfulness as we minister in Colombia. He continues to work in mighty ways. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support!
Ongoing Church Ministry
I’m genuinely amazed at how Jesus continually builds his church. Besides constantly witnessing new spiritual births as people believe the Gospel, we see them grow and work together in Jesus’ mission. Week by week, people are bringing their friends to Jesus. We’ve been busy with special events, too. We recently celebrated Children’s Day, serving over 100 kids from the community and sharing lots of fun and the Gospel. We showed a Gospel film; many people brought lost friends and family. God is working, and what a blessing to be a part of it!
Exciting Youth Camp
At the end of June, we hosted our second annual youth camp, in which over 50 teens and young adults gathered from the various churches we have started here in Bucaramanga. We studied the life of Daniel and were challenged to live counter-cultural lives. As these young people feel the reality of living in modern Babylon, many made decisions that will change the course of their lives and their eternity. Praise the Lord!
Pray For My Father
My dad, Richard Vance, was taken in May to the hospital with a severe infection, sepsis in his blood, and several other issues. He came very close to death a few times over the following weeks. After several surgeries on his foot, and after the specialists determined it could not be salvaged, his leg was amputated just below the knee. He was diagnosed with neuropathy and Charcot bone degenerative disease. He is now on the long road to recovery, therapy, and life adjustment. Lord willing, he will soon be transferred temporarily to a rehabilitation center. He has had an excellent spirit through it all and seems to be at peace with the change. I went to spend a week with him in June between our ministry busyness in Colombia, and I am so glad I did! Pray for him and my mom in the days ahead.
Family News
Aubrie and I recently celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary and our second daughter, Anabel’s, 12th birthday. Time is just flying by! We also enjoyed a visit from some of Aubrie’s family. We even took her uncle to try paragliding over the city!
Praises and Prayer Requests
- Lord willing, we’ll finally sign papers to purchase the building for Agape Baptist Church in July. We praise the Lord that the exchange rate has improved by around 10% since our last prayer letter. We were very concerned about this matter earlier this year, but God’s timing is perfect!
- In August, we will once again host a team from Medical Mission Outreach to offer an optical clinic and outreach for our community. Pray for the logistics of the trip and the souls of the people we will serve.
- Aubrie is still needing another surgery for her skin cancer. This will likely be before our next update.
For The Name of Christ,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
—Colossians 3:17—
What a blessing to serve kids from the community on Children’s Day! 
Showing the flim “The Case For Christ” 
Pouring into the next generation of youth for the glory of God. 
Not only was I able to go visit my dad in June, I also got to see my brother, sister & mom. A rare event to be all together! 
I thank God for excellent in-laws! 
After 15 years of marriage to Aubrie, there’s still nobody I’d rather do life with. I thank God for my wife!
Thousands Served, and Hundreds Saved! — June 2023 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
It has been a very busy season here in Colombia, and God continues to do amazing things! Hundreds of people have come to know and believe the Gospel in the last few months. Thank you for praying for us and for supporting us financially to be able to serve on the mission field.
Addition & Multiplication
Our primary church, Ágape Baptist Church, has continued to grow immensely. We added an extra Sunday morning service two months ago to accommodate the new people. Our weekly attendance is now over 240 individuals each Sunday! Besides the new attendance highs, we’re even more excited about people getting saved, baptized, discipled, and added to our church. We hold a “Faithful Men” meeting every Monday for men who feel a call toward ministry. The name of this meeting is based on 2 Timothy 2:2. It is one of my favorite times of the week, as I meet with 20-25 men hungry to grow spiritually and serve the Lord Jesus. Pray for them as they prepare to follow God’s leading, and as they teach others also.
Special Guests From The USA
In June, we enjoyed a refreshing visit with a group from First Baptist Church in Ashland, Ohio. Over a week, they helped us distribute many thousands of Gospel tracts! The group saw our city’s need and some ministries and churches God has allowed us to start here over the years. We put Pastor Stollings to work preaching and teaching six times! We also enjoyed having a young man named Samuel with us for three weeks. He is praying about being a missionary and even considering Colombia. Pray that God would direct his steps.
Huge Outreach Effort
At the end of June, we also hosted a group of 27 volunteers from Medical Missions Outreach to offer a vision clinic to our community. The devil fought tirelessly, and he did his best to stop everything. However, we still helped over 1,500 people with glasses. Each person heard the Gospel one-on-one, and we praise the Lord for at least 290 professions of faith! Each number represents a person, a soul whom the Lord loves. We are already looking forward to MMO’s return in August of 2024.
Almost to the Goal!
We’re inching closer to being able to purchase our current rented facility. Out of the initial $200,000 goal, thanks to many of you, we are only lacking around $30,000! Would you consider helping us reach this goal in the next few months? Every little bit helps! For those wondering, our next stage would be to also purchase the empty lot behind our church and expand our auditorium and classroom space in God’s timing and according to his will.
Family Funnies
A friend recently told Alethea (5 years old) that her shoes were on the wrong feet, and her big sister Aris (8 years old) said they’re always on the wrong feet because she’s left-handed.
With Love in Christ Jesus,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;”
—Philippians 1:3-5—
Many in Colombia long for a political reformation. Protests and marches are common. But what Colombia needs is a spiritual awakening! We get to be a part. 
We added another 20 adults and their families to church membership in June! I love to see how Christ builds his church. 
With the pastor and mission team from First Baptist Church, Ashland, Ohio 
Part of the 1,500 people we served from the community with free glasses and the Gospel. 
Some of the 100 volunteers from our churches and some of the MMO volunteers. What a great group God! 
My girls got to serve all week alongside wonderful MMO volunteers like Mrs. Yvonne. 
Aubrie and I just celebrated 14 years of marriage. It has been quite a crazy ride, but I am so thankful we get to do this life together! 
Furlough and Open Doors — June 2022 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
Greetings from the USA! We have officially begun our furlough after our second term in Colombia. We’re excited to see what the Lord has in store for us during the next several months as we travel and give reports to supporting and new churches around the country. We plan to return to the field in January 2023, God willing.
Big Days & Big Blessings
All of our churches continue to grow and reach new people. In Agape Baptist, we held a special conference for Holy Week in the days before Easter. Many visitors came, and some made professions of faith! We also had a special children’s day for the community on one Saturday, in which we saw over 100 guests and dozens of salvation decisions. It’s great to see new people, but it’s also great to see our church members, many of whom are new believers themselves, all growing, working, and serving the Lord together!
Wide Open Doors
We were recently asked to take over a congregation that was left without a pastor. The name of this church is Open Doors. It is about 6 hours from our city, in the town of Barbosa. We have been sending a team of preachers and workers, led by Felipe, whom I baptized 4 years ago. Our main purpose would be to help them transition to a permanent pastor, but we’re praying for the Lord’s leading. This would be the fifth church under our ministry, not including the two other mission Bible studies that also meet weekly and the Spanish-speaking church we started in the USA years ago. We praise the Lord for the Doors he is opening!
Expanding Media Ministry
Thanks to Christian Media International, we now have a recording studio to take our media to the next level! Over the last two years, they have sent three teams and invested in equipment to get us up and running. In addition to sharing our church services and daily devotionals on social media, we are working out details to get on a national broadcast TV station by 2023. This channel (Canal TRO) has an estimated daily viewership of over 5 million people who need the Gospel!
Help Us Buy A Building
In Agape, the church where we are currently working, we rent a large facility in a strategic location. We have invested a lot into remodeling, as well as accommodating our studio and Bible institute there. But the owner needs to sell. He will give us the first priority. It won’t be cheap, but we are trusting the Lord to provide. We need to raise around $200,000 by 2023. Will you help us pray for this need, as well as how you might be able to get involved? Any gift helps, and can be sent through Macedonia and be marked: “A. Vance – Building.”
Family Funnies
We took the girls to a Chinese buffet while traveling between states one day. Anabel, who is 10, said, “I didn’t know Chinese and Buffet could ever go together! It’s amazing!” It’s funny what we take for granted.
Thanks again for your faithful prayers and support. If you would like us to come to share an update with your church, or to present the ministry to be considered for financial support, please reach out to me at aaronlvance@gmail.com or (678) 696-0082. We are hoping to find several more partners to help with future church plants and keep up with the expanding ministry.
Because Christ is Worthy,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
— 2 Corinthians 1:11 —
The girls got to help start up the first airplane on our way back to the USA. 
A blessed Children’s Day at Ágape… 
Nursing home ministry group from our first church in Colombia, El Faro 
We look forward to using this recording studio to proclaim the Gospel message! 
Our sweet Anabel turned 10 in May. She really loves helping with the animals.
God Works Through Blessings & Trials — March 2022 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
Hectic and crazy are words that could easily describe February and March. At the same time, we have seen God’s blessings in abundance. People are getting saved, baptized, discipled, and commissioned. It’s a great time to serve the Lord in Colombia!
Church at Capacity!
All of the churches here are growing! Our newest work, Agape Baptist, is especially busting at the seams lately. After just over a year, we are now at nearly 100% capacity! Over 150 people gather each week to study the Word, encourage one another and serve together. Several were recently baptized, and we just presented another 30 new people for membership. We enjoyed a joint men’s camp with our other churches in March. Nearly 50 men set aside a couple of days to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1). We praise God for working in raising up men for his cause. Christ is building his church! Speaking of buildings, though, pray that God gives us wisdom for our next steps. We would love to purchase our current facility and the adjacent property, but it will cost quite a bit. If this is God’s will, we trust Him for the funds.
Bible Institute Back In Session!
In February, we launched a new semester of Bible and ministry training. This year we have a record high of students, with over 60 adults attending classes! Besides our basic Bible and hermeneutics classes, I meet weekly with 25 men who especially want to train for the Gospel ministry.
Robbery at Café Madrid Baptist!
Our second church, which we started around five years ago, is in one of the most dangerous communities in our city. In all these years, we never had any problems… until this February. Somebody stole nearly everything — almost all the chairs, fans, sound equipment, food, and even the children’s ministry craft supplies. After it happened, I posted this on Facebook, and two of our supporting churches responded almost immediately with special gifts. Thanks to Lighthouse Baptist in Georgia and Community Baptist in North Carolina for your generosity!
God Still Works Miracles!
I am still healing well after being run over by a truck in January. Therapy has been brutal, but it’s the good type of pain (if that exists!). The doctors told me two months ago that the tendon that controls my index finger was severed, as I had no movement whatsoever in that finger. The orthopedic surgeon said this could only be repaired through another surgery, though so much time had passed since the accident that the likelihood of a full recovery was low. Miraculously, I have regained movement and some strength in that finger. The doctors are confused, but we praise the Lord — He still works miracles!
Schedule for Furlough 2022
We will be back in the US from May 2022 through January 2023 for a furlough to give an update to our supporting churches and try to raise more monthly financial support for the growing ministry. Our calendar is already starting to fill up. If you would like to schedule us, please email me at aaronlvance@gmail.com or call/text at (678) 696-0082. We’d love the opportunity to come to share what God is doing in Colombia. Many of you receive our update letters but are not yet part of our support team. Would you consider partnering with us to continue to carry out the Great Commission?
Thanks again to all of you for your prayers and support. Everything good here also comes with some hardship and spiritual warfare. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s a blessing to serve our King. Please keep praying!
In Christ’s Humble Service,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;”
— 1 Thessalonians 3:9 —
Pastor Félix baptizing an 80-year-old convert at our first church, El Faro. 
Our Man Camp was a great success. Thank God for raising up faithful men. 
One of the best things about the Bible Institute this year is seeing graduates now teaching some of the classes! Pastor Juan is doing a great job teaching this class on the Gospels. 
Amira turned twelve in March! She is becoming quite the seamstress too (she made this dress).
Run Over By a Truck! — January 2022 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
We often forget that every day is a gift from God, and every breath we take is a token of His grace. I was reminded of this truth once again at the beginning of January. People said I shouldn’t have survived. But by God’s grace, I did.
Run Over By A Truck
Yes, that literally happened! While doing errands on my motorcycle, the breaks went out on a truck behind me. He pummeled into me, then ran over my left arm. Thankfully it wasn’t worse. Surgeons were able to repair two severe fractures with plates and screws. They are hopeful for a recovery in about 6 months. I may also need another surgery soon to repair a ruptured tendon in my finger. I may never get full mobility back in my hand. Until then, I am learning how to do many things with one hand and thank God for preserving my life. He still has me here for something! Aubrie and the girls have been amazing little nurses.
Standing In The Gap
The accident occurred two days before the youth camp I mentioned in our last letter. I was one of the main speakers, but as you can imagine, my body wasn’t up for the 14-hour bus ride! We still sent a group of around 30 youth, mostly from the new church. Another pastor preached the messages God wanted to be preached, and God mightily worked! Many made decisions for salvation, sanctification, and service. Thanks to all who prayed and gave toward this need.
More Laborers
Jesus told us in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” We have been doing this for over twelve years now, both for the world and for Colombia. First, he sent us. Then, little by little, we have seen more missionaries and pastors come to work the ripe mission field around our country. Just in the past month, two more missionary families have arrived to work here in our city. We praise the Lord! Pray with us for the Cox and Carpio families. However, there are still many untouched corners of this harvest field. Will you also pray that God sends more willing workers?
Furlough Tickets Bought!
Lord willing, we will be landing in Atlanta, GA on May 18th to begin a 7-month furlough. We will use this time to rest as a family, to report God’s work to some of our supporting churches, to raise more support for the growing ministry, to reconnect with family, and to help churches and Christians renew their passion for world missions. It will also give the churches and leaders here a chance to step up and not rely too much on our presence. We’re still trying to find a place to stay and a car to drive, but we know God will provide. Also, if you would like to schedule a meeting for us to present the ministry, please reach out to me.
Thank you all for your prayers and financial support. Thanks also to those who have recently sent special gifts. These have helped more than you can know. Friend, our time is short. The night comes when no man can work. If the Lord were to come back today, may he find us faithful and fruitful, laboring in love, by his power, and for his glory!
In God’s Strength,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Our girls are on the balcony of our home. God often sends rainbows to remind us of his goodness and faithfulness. 
The transit police officer is writing up the report after my motorcycle accident. 
You can see the damage and repair done to fix my arm. We thank God it wasn’t worse! 
Our youth pastor, Felipe, with some of the teens at camp. 
Pastor José Nelson is now leading our Café Madrid church.
The Vance Family 
