Colombia
Find mission workers in Colombia
Alice Winters, missionary to Colombia, retires after 36 years
Statement of common witness — CLAI, NCC, CWS
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) established its first permanent mission in Latin America in Bogota. This culminated in the first Presbyterian Church, founded in Bogotá in 1856. With our partner church and mission personnel, Presbyterians are involved in education, leadership development, theological training, youth programs and social advocacy for human rights and peace. Our partners in Colombia are faithful witnesses, persevering as God’s people in the midst of struggle.
We support the ministries of our partners in the face of violence and instability within their country. We strive to be a faithful voice for them to the world at large and within our own church.
Read a brief history of Colombia.
Join the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Delegation to Colombia
Explore issues in Colombia
On this delegation we will:
- Visit with the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia (Presbyterian Church of Colombia) primarily in the Urubá Presbytery of northwest Colombia, the most rural, and most deeply affected by violence and displacement of the three Presbyteries.
- Visit the nation’s capital of Bogotá
- Meet with church communities and leadership, NGO’s, US and Colombian governmental officials, and community groups
- Explore nonviolence and Christian faith
Presbytery partnerships
Presbytery of Miami Valley
Winnebago Presbytery
Colombia Mission Network
- For information contact Maria Arroyo
The Colombia Mission Network is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies.
Partner churches
The Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS) established a mission in Bogota, Colombia, in 1856, its first permanent mission in Latin America. The first Protestant schools in Colombia were founded by Presbyterians — one for girls in 1869 and a school for boys the following year. In 1888 a second Presbyterian station was opened in Barranquilla, with a third at Medellín in 1889. The Presbyterian Church of Colombia (IPC) is a result of these early efforts.
Presbyterian Church of Colombia (IPC)
In the early 1990s differences within the IPC threatened to divide the church, the only PC(USA) partner in South America that had not experienced a split. A split was narrowly averted, however, in 1993 with an agreement to have two separate synods, the Reformed Synod and the Synod. The agreement commits each synod to respect the other and to cooperate in theological education, social service projects and church celebrations. The IPC has historically been committed to ecumenical cooperation, the defense of human rights and the struggle for peace. The IPC strives for leadership development, especially among young people of the church.
Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of Latin America (AIPRAL)
Partner organization
Reformed University of Colombia (CUR)
Formerly the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Gran Colombia, the School of Theology is now part of the Reformed University of Colombia (CUR). The CUR received formal recognition from the Colombian government in May 2002. The university provides degree programs for Reformed theological education for Protestants throughout the region.
Learn more about Colombia
Visit the BBC country profile.