Blog Archives
Back in Colombia, Huge Building News, Exciting Ministry Days — March 2023 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
Hello again from Colombia! We returned to the field in February after a great furlough. It’s so good to be in the place where the Lord has called us. We hit the ground running, and God is already working. I’m excited about the days ahead.
Exciting Building News
We have had some significant developments since our last letter. Several gifts have come in for our building fund for Agape Baptist Church. In addition, we received a generous matching-funds offer from Calvary Baptist in Ashland, OH. We now only need around $45,000 out of our $200,000 goal. But we urgently need your help. We only have until July to finish raising these funds. Would you consider giving toward this project? Whether you can give $50 or $5,000, every little bit helps! We plan to purchase the same church building we rent, which is also the site of our Bible Institute, medical clinic outreaches, recording studio, and more. If extra funds come in, we will put those aside for a future purchase of the adjoining lot as we grow. Gifts can be sent Online and by mail through Macedonia World Baptist Missions (PO Box 519, Braselton, GA 30517) and marked “A. Vance – Building.”
Strong Churches
We are so encouraged by the growth of each church we started here. Even in our absence, most have seen new people saved and added to the membership. In fact, our current main work, Agape, is now running around 180 people, and we will be adding another service starting in April to accommodate more growth.
In March, we had a joint men’s camp, wherein 65 men from our congregations came together to speak of the theme, “United For His Cause.” Each of our lead pastors shared a message on unity and the Gospel that brings us together.
Family Update
Our girls are back into the homeschool routine again here in Colombia. They were sad to leave our sending church’s school, Lighthouse Christian Academy, where they enjoyed time with new friends and awesome teachers last year. Such is missionary kid life — lots of transitions, hellos, and sad goodbyes. Aubrie is doing a fantastic job teaching the girls.
We still have pending doctor appointments to pinpoint Aubrie’s autoimmune condition and treatment plan. We’re looking for just the right doctors to help her. Until then, we take one day at a time!
As far as my arm after the accident over a year ago, the doctors just gave me a clean bill of health in March! This is a miracle because there was virtually no progress in bone healing for over six months, and the plan was to do a bone graft surgery this year. I’ve adjusted to permanent limited mobility.
Thank You
We couldn’t be here without your prayers and financial support, and we don’t take it for granted! Thank you for your faithfulness. May God continue to bless you and keep you. Let us know how we can be praying for you!
Grace and Peace to You,
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—
I joined a group of pastors on a trip to Israel in January before returning to the field. It was a life-changing experience that will forever mark me! Seeing the land of the Bible has brought the Bible to life and will help me as I teach it to those who will teach others also. 
Jesus is building his church! Pray for us as we add another Sunday service on Easter. 
Man Camp 2023 — “United For His Cause” 
Praise God, Aris got saved & baptized in January! What a precious moment. 
Aubrie had a birthday in February, Aris turned 8 in February, and Amira turned 13 in March. Wait, we have a teenager?! 
Tickets Bought, Building to Buy, & Feliz Navidad — December 2022 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
This has been such a strange year. We have experienced many blessings, but we’ve also gone through many dark trials. Such is the Christian life. We long for that final day in which we are forever with Christ. Until then, we faint not!
Tickets Purchased For Our Return!
We are nearing the end of our 2022 furlough travels! Lord willing, we will return to Colombia on February 8th. The last 2-3 months have been the busiest by far. But God has blessed us in remarkable ways. During this furlough, we had 97 meetings in 40 different churches in 11 States. We’re thankful for the chance to visit some long-time supporting churches and add a couple of new monthly financial partners. We only lack around $400 per month to meet our monthly support goal.
Growing Ministry & Big Opportunities!
All four of our churches and Bible studies have grown since the start of our furlough. New salvations, baptisms, church members, and people training for ministry have been evident in each congregation. What great joy to hear these dear believers are walking in truth (3 John 4).
We’re on our way to meeting our goal of $200,000 by mid-2023 to purchase our current building for Agape Baptist Church. Pray if God would have you or your church invest in this opportunity to continue to reach Colombians with the Gospel for generations to come. You can make your tax-deductible gift Online (www.mwbm.org) or by mail (MWBM Inc., PO Box 519, Braselton, GA, 30517) and mark it “A. Vance — Building.”
Here is a quick video I recently recorded from the church building:
We also look forward to hosting another team from Medical Mission Outreach to do an Optical clinic from June 22- July 1, 2023. If you are interested in joining this trip, find more information on their website: www.medical-outreach.com.
Aubrie’s & Aaron’s Health
We still have no definitive answers concerning Aubrie’s autoimmune condition. She has gone through five levels of testing to pinpoint the issue but to no avail. As of now, we plan to follow up with rheumatologist and neurologist specialists in Colombia. Pray that we find some answers soon.
In December, I also had more imaging and tests done to see how my arm was healing after being run over by a truck in January 2022. Unfortunately, one of the fractures in my forearm still hasn’t progressed as expected. We’re still looking at a possible bone-graft surgery next year to fill in the gaps. They also suspect I am developing Dupuytren’s Contractures in one of my hands which may require surgery in a couple of years if it worsens. We long for that glorified body!
¡Feliz Navidad Y Año Nuevo!
From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the peace of God keep your hearts; may his grace be sufficient in your needs; may his love define your identity; may his power fill your lives; and may his Word sanctify you in every good work. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
In Christ’s Perfect Love,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;“
— 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 —
Our 2022 Christmas Card 
We thank God for the Cox family, a new missionary family who has come to work with us in Colombia for a few years. 
Each of our four girls joined me on a trip this year. Aris went with me to PA and she caught a big catfish on the way! 
I participated in Agape Baptist’s second-anniversary service in November. Christ is building his church! 
Jaime was baptized in November. We never get tired of seeing God change lives! 
Our youngest, Alethea, turned 5 in November. They grow so fast!
Vance Family to Colombia — September 2022 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
Colombia Trip Update
I traveled back to Colombia for a brief trip at the end of August. I preached and taught 12 times in 10 days in three of our churches, counseled several families and church leaders, and encouraged the men who are training for ministry. Additionally, I met with my surgeon and had a court hearing related to the accident in January in which I was run over by a delivery truck. It was a busy yet very blessed trip! One of the highlights was meeting with 20 new adults and their children who were in the middle of a new member’s class. These are mostly new believers, and all were reached since we left in May for our furlough. Christ is building his church! We’re already looking forward to our return early next year.
Medical Update
The orthopedic specialist who operated on my arm this January mentioned that I may need another bone graph surgery if one of the fractures doesn’t improve by December. Though I’ve learned to live with the pain and limited mobility, I would love to avoid this surgery if possible. Pray for healing.
Additionally, at the beginning of September, Aubrie tested positive for some type of auto-immune disease. More tests need to be run, but it appears we may have a long road ahead of us. There are many unknowns. Lately, it has just been one thing after another. May God’s grace be sufficient moment by moment.
Furlough Update
We are about to shift to another gear of our furlough, also known as “mission conference season.” From September through November, I will be traveling up and down the east coast and participating in several back-to-back conferences, both as a speaker and guest missionary. Pray for us during this busy time. May Christ allow us to encourage his churches and raise awareness for the cause of world evangelism. Pray for Aubrie and the girls, as they will mostly stay close to our home base in Georgia while the girls are in school. It’s hard not to be together.
Building Update
We are thankful for a couple of churches that have already sent in special offerings to help us with the $200,000 needed to buy the building we currently rent for our latest church, Ágape Baptist Church. This is also where we have our Bible College, big community outreach efforts, and television recording studio. We still have a long way to go, but I am confident that the funds will come in God’s timing. If you would like to make an eternal investment in reaching many people for years to come, you can send donations through our Mission Board and mark the checks or online giving “A. Vance – Building.”
Thank you once again for holding the ropes for us. God is using your faithful prayers and financial support to help us reach and train many souls in Colombia and South America. This is all spiritual fruit added to your account!
With Love & Grateful Hearts,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with the girls: Amira, Anabel, Aris & Alethea)
“But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”.
— Philippians 4:18-19 —
Our first church in Colombia, El Faro, celebrated its 8th anniversary in July. 
Our newest church, Ágape, has had standing room only for most services! 
Praise the Lord for Felipe, another young person who recently accepted Christ! 
It was great to be in GA with Pastor Alfonso and the Spanish ministry I started in 2006 for their missions conference in September. 
A benefit of furlough is spending time with family. We got to celebrate my dad’s (Richard Vance) birthday in person. 
There is still so much work to do for Christ in our city of Bucaramanga. (Nicknamed: La Ciudad Bonita / The Pretty City) 
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).
The Vance Family 
