Bolivia & Colombia: The Gospel Continues to Advance
Joselo Mercado is the Lead Pastor of Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, and is the SGC Key Leader for our work in LATAM. He brings us this update from a recent trip to Bolivia and Colombia…
From February 13–20, I had the joy of traveling to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and Medellín, Colombia, for a time of pastoral encouragement, teaching, and relational strengthening with churches connected to Sovereign Grace. This trip was especially meaningful to me personally, as it marked my first return to Santa Cruz in several years due to prior health challenges. Being able to resume this kind of ministry travel was itself a testimony to God’s sustaining grace.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (February 14–17)
From February 14–17, I had the privilege of spending time with Gracia Soberana Santa Cruz, pastored by David del Castillo alongside his father, Jorge del Castillo. It was a deep joy to reconnect with this church family after several years.
What I witnessed was profoundly encouraging. The church has grown numerically and spiritually. There are more leaders being raised up, a new meeting facility that better serves the congregation, and—most importantly—a visible hunger for the gospel. The maturity and clarity with which they are pursuing Christ reflect faithful pastoral labor over time.
This season also represents an important transition in leadership. Due to ongoing health challenges, Jorge has experienced significant vision loss, limiting his ability to carry the same pastoral responsibilities he once did. In light of this, David has stepped more fully into primary leadership. During my time there, it was evident that he is serving with humility, conviction, and growing pastoral strength. The congregation clearly respects him, and there is continuity rather than disruption. This transition, though born out of difficulty, is being handled with wisdom and grace. It was encouraging to witness both the honor given to Jorge’s longstanding ministry and the steady affirmation of David’s leadership in this new chapter.
Another highlight was seeing how the church has welcomed and integrated Cuban refugees into the life of the congregation. Several families who arrived in Bolivia seeking stability and opportunity have not only been received with compassion but have become active participants in the church’s mission. They are serving, building relationships, and growing in the faith. This visible expression of hospitality reflects the transforming power of the gospel. Part of this connection has come through relationships David has cultivated through the Simeon Trust ministry, which has strengthened pastoral networks and opened doors for meaningful gospel partnerships across borders. It was deeply moving to see displaced families find both spiritual homes and purpose within this church community.
Saturday provided a sweet opportunity to spend time with David’s family, strengthening relational bonds that are vital to long-term partnership. That evening, we gathered with the church’s leaders for an open Q&A session. The primary topics centered on parenting and marriage—particularly cultivating Christ-centered homes in an increasingly complex cultural environment. The leaders asked thoughtful, probing questions that revealed both humility and seriousness about shepherding their families and the church well.
From Sunday through Tuesday, I had the honor of serving at the church’s annual retreat. This retreat takes place during Carnival, one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Santa Cruz. While much of the city is immersed in festivities often marked by excess and spiritual darkness, this church intentionally withdraws to pursue light, growth, and holiness. It was powerful to see such a countercultural commitment.
The retreat theme was God’s Design for Man and Woman. Over several sessions, we explored biblical anthropology, the goodness of God’s created order, and the beauty of complementarity in marriage and the church. In a cultural moment filled with confusion about identity and gender, the church’s eagerness to understand and apply Scripture was deeply encouraging. Beyond the formal sessions, what stood out most was the growing sense of communion and friendship among the members. The gospel is not only being preached—it is shaping relationships.
I left Santa Cruz strengthened by their faith and grateful to witness tangible fruit from years of faithful ministry, even in the midst of pastoral transition.
Medellín, Colombia (February 18–20)
After concluding the retreat, I met my wife Kathy at the airport in Panama on Tuesday as we traveled together to Medellín, Colombia. Our purpose was to visit Iglesia Bíblica de Antioquía, a church currently considering entering the adoption process with Sovereign Grace Churches.
This visit was filled with encouragement from start to finish. On Wednesday, we spent time with Pastor Felipe Trujillo and his family in the Guatapé area, just outside Medellín. Sharing meals and extended conversation allowed us to better understand their vision, convictions, and heart for pastoral ministry. Relational trust is foundational in any potential partnership, and this time together was invaluable.
On Thursday, I had the opportunity to teach on the Seven Shared Values of Sovereign Grace Churches. We walked through theological convictions such as Reformed soteriology, gospel centrality, continuationism, complementarian leadership, elder governance, church planting, and interdependence among churches. The congregation listened attentively and engaged meaningfully.
The church is located in Envigado—an area historically associated with the criminal operations of Pablo Escobar during the 1980s. In a place once marked by extortion and violence, the light of the gospel is now being proclaimed with clarity and hope. That contrast was not lost on us. Where darkness once dominated, Christ is building His church.
We left Medellín encouraged by the seriousness with which this church is evaluating partnership and by the evident work of grace among them. The gospel is bearing fruit, and their desire for theological clarity and relational accountability is a strong sign of health.
Concluding Reflections
This week of ministry was marked by gratitude and renewed strength. Personally, it was a joy to resume travel in a more sustained way after past health limitations. Ministerially, it was deeply encouraging to see churches in two different countries growing in leadership, conviction, compassion, and gospel hunger.
In Santa Cruz, we witnessed a church flourishing in unity and clarity amid cultural darkness, navigating leadership transition with maturity, and extending Christ-like hospitality to refugees now serving among them. In Medellín, we saw a congregation thoughtfully pursuing partnership and standing as a testimony to the transforming power of Christ in a city with a complicated history.
Above all, this trip reaffirmed a central truth: the gospel continues to advance. Across nations, cultures, and contexts—even amid health trials, migration, and cultural upheaval—God is building His church. And it is a profound privilege to participate in that work.
