Blog Archives
Overflowing! — January-February 2026 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
Packed House At Agape!
We wish you could stand with us on a typical Sunday morning Agape Baptist Church. Before the first hymn even begins, chairs are being added, children are squeezed onto laps, and latecomers scan the walls for any remaining space to lean. Both services are now consistently beyond full capacity—an incredible answer to prayer and a visible reminder that God is drawing people to Himself through His Word. It is a “good problem”— and yet one that requires wisdom as we seek the Lord for next steps in space, structure, and shepherding.
Discipleship & Training
Beyond the numbers, we are rejoicing most in the depth of spiritual growth. This year, nearly 100 adults are actively engaged in intentional discipleship—meeting weekly in homes, studying Scripture, memorizing truth, and learning to walk faithfully with Christ in daily life. The fruit is evident: growing hunger for the Word, transformed lives, and new believers being grounded in the faith. Your prayers and support are directly shaping these lives.
We also recently relaunched our weekly “Faithful Men” gathering, and the response has been deeply encouraging. Every Monday, around 30 men fill the room—Bibles open to the book of Titus—preparing their hearts for leadership in their homes, church, and community. Many are young in the faith; others are stepping into ministry responsibility for the first time. Please pray that the Lord would continue raising up a generation of faithful, qualified men for His church.
Injured National Pastor
We ask a special prayer for Pastor José Nelson, whom we commissioned to lead a nearby church plant. He recently suffered a serious arm fracture while doing building repairs and is unable to work for a season, creating financial strain for his family. If the Lord leads you to be a blessing to them, please contact us.
Refuge of Life Nonprofit
At the Fundación Refugio Vida children’s center, 74 underprivileged children are now receiving daily meals, school tutoring, and Christ-centered discipleship. Ongoing support is always needed! Gifts can be sent to MWBM, Inc., designated “A. Vance — children’s center.”
Adoption & Travel Update
On the family front, we rejoice that Alexander’s adoption in Colombia is fully finalized—a huge answer to prayer! This now begins a lengthy U.S. immigration process, which has delayed our anticipated furlough travel to the United States until further notice. We trust the Lord’s timing and appreciate your prayers.
Love in Christ,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with Amira, Anabel, Aris, Alethea, & Alexander!)
“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—
A fruitful year! — November-December 2025 Prayer Letter
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
As we look back on 2025, our hearts are full of gratitude for what God has done and continues to do in Bucaramanga. The past two months have been packed full of events, milestones, growth, and blessings, both as a family and in our public ministry. Celebrate with us!
Alexander Is Home With Us!
As we mentioned in our previous letter, November 20th was a special day for us as a family, as we welcomed a new member through adoption. Alexander (1) has fit right into our crazy family. Pray for us as we work through the legal processes in both Colombia and the United States to formalize the adoption.
Milestones & Special Events
Agape Baptist Church, our main work in Bucaramanga, has continued to grow spiritually and numerically. November marked five years since we started this church, which has become a beloved body of believers. In addition to our regular outreach efforts, we held a special program on Christmas Eve, during which many of our church members gathered to assemble hundreds of sandwiches and gifts, which we then distributed among the homeless in our city. We praise God for his work in and through his people!
Christmas at Refuge of Life
Our nonprofit ministry, based at our church in the Cafe Madrid neighborhood, held its big Christmas program in December, during which we gave gifts to nearly 200 children. With their families also in attendance, more than 300 people gathered to hear the Gospel and enjoy the program and a meal. Though we finished off the year with a bit over 60 children we serve daily, it is a blessing to hold events like these that expand our reach and shine the light of Christ into the darkest corners of our city.
A Plenteous Harvest
There are times of life and ministry in which you simply have to prepare the land, other times to sow seed of the Word, other times to cultivate and prune, and then there is a time of reaping a harvest. This has been an outrageously fruitful year! We saw hundreds of people make professions of faith, dozens go through extensive discipleship, and nearly all of our churches are full to capacity each week. This is all part of the fruit that is added to your account! The harvest is ripe in Colombia! We are praying for more laborers to come and help us. Would you pray with us toward that end?
Love in Christ,
Aaron & Aubrie Vance
(Along with Amira, Anabel, Aris, Alethea, & Alexander!)
“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”
—Philemon 1:4-7—
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
Furlough Update & Church Robbery — June 2018 Prayer Letter
Dear Praying Friends & Family,
Hello again from the furlough road! We’ve got a lot to update you on in this letter, so buckle up!
Friends, Old & New
It has greatly encouraged us to visit some of our supporting churches and to see the many familiar faces of those who have been praying for us during all these years. It is awesome to share about God’s grace in Colombia, and the fruit that has been added to their account. We’ve also made some new friends at churches who have had us in to share about the ministry and are considering joining our team of rope-holders. Thank God for his faithful saints! Each month we are inching closer to our support goal. Contact us if you want us to come to your church.
Colombia’s New President
On June 17, Colombia had their final presidential runoff election, wherein Iván Duque won the majority vote. He looks to carry on the efforts of the last two presidents to eliminate the corruption, violence and drug trafficking that plagued the country for decades. Many are happy, others are not. We know, however, that real peace only comes through knowing Christ. Pray for this new leader, and for the people of Colombia, to know the true peace-giver.
Planting Seeds In New Fields
Our preachers and leaders in the two churches of Bucaramanga have been doing a tremendous job with the preaching, outreach, discipleship, as well as every other ministry. Thanks to technology, we talk very regularly and I am excited about getting back in the trenches with them. We are looking forward to planting a couple more churches when we return, and these leaders are already holding bible studies in some of the target areas. It is exciting to see!
Church Robbery
We had somebody break into our main church just a couple of weeks ago. They stole at least $1,500 worth of cash, and maybe other things. This was the church’s rent money, missions support and some of the building fund offerings. It looks like we will simply have to absorb the loss, as the police couldn’t find any significant evidence to continue an investigation. We thank God nobody was hurt and the damages were not worse, and we trust him to provide. He is always faithful.
Family Funnies
Aris, our 3-year-old, was just asked if she’s ever been on a family trip. She said NO! This is a kid who has had passports from two countries since she was a baby and has already visited more countries and US states than most people do in their lifetime. For her, life on the road is normal, as is traveling on planes and staying in hotel rooms. #MKlife
Prayer Requests
- Wisdom as we raise our children, lead ministries, and plan for the future.
- Continued safety as we travel on the road (several close calls lately).
- Remaining support to be raised (we are at around 85% of our recommended level of monthly support).
- Special financial needs for recuperating what was stolen in Colombia as well as other projects.
- Opportunities and boldness to witness as we travel here in America.
Once again, thank you for your faithful prayers and support. We love you all and pray that God continues to bless you as you strive to glorify him.
May Christ Be Magnified,
The Vance Family
Aaron • Aubrie • Amira • Anabel • Aris • Alethea
Here are a few recent pictures from our lives and ministry.
Click here to download a printable PDF of this letter
Alternatively, here is a JPG image of the letter that you can view and print:
The Vance Family 