Together, we celebrated 30 years of the Colombia Partnership!
To celebrate 30 years of the Colombia Partnership between Presbytery of the Miami Valley and the Presbytery of the North Coast, Colombia, there were two celebrations in the Summer of 2026:
The first events in Barranquilla, Colombia were in June, when a delegation of 20 from Presbytery of the Miami Valley traveled to Colombia to celebrate with partners from the Presbytery of the North Coast.
For the second celebration in July, our presbytery welcomed visitors traveling from the Presbytery of the North Coast, Colombia, who participated in celebration events here in Dayton.
Three people, one from Colombia, one from the Dayton area, and one now in Florida have given us their thoughts on the celebrations and the abiding significance of the 30-year Partnership.
Belkys Teheran Estrada, Principal of Colegio Americano de Barranquilla, Colombia, shared her faith story during worship at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dayton, when she visited in July. Twenty-two years ago, the Colombia Partnership first brought her to Westminster when she visited from Colombia. Here’s part of what she had to say:
“Today I want to thank God for the partnership between the Presbytery of the North Coast and the Presbytery of Miami Valley. For me, this is not only the story of two presbyteries. It is part of my own story. It is part of how God changed my life. I grew up in a home with three generations of women: my grandmother, my mother, and me. We did not have many resources, but we had faith, love, and the desire to move forward.
“The church gave me a scholarship that allowed me to study at the Colegio Americano, a Presbyterian school (where she serves today as Principal). That opportunity opened a door for me. It gave me an education, but it also gave me a community, values, and a place where I began to discover that God had a purpose for my life. Because of the church, I met people who believed in me. And because of this partnership, my world became much bigger…
“My prayer is that this partnership will continue for many more years, and that new generations will also find a place in this story. May they receive the same faith, love, and opportunities that I received. And may they also learn that the Spirit of God always moves outward, creating community, crossing borders, and bringing us together in Christ.”
Megan Worcester, from Oxford Presbyterian Church, attended both celebrations and gives us an excellent account of what went on. Here’s an excerpt:
“Over the past month five churches from Presbytery of the Miami Valley, celebrated the 30th Anniversary of our Partnership with their sister churches from the North Coast Presbytery. This is a major feat in our presbytery and can be seen as an example of how true partnerships can endure and thrive over the decades. During these weeks there were two different celebrations planned: one in June in Barranquilla, Colombia, and one in July around Dayton, Ohio. While these celebrations had moments of church-to-church fellowship and worship, the majority of the events on both sides focused on the presbytery-to-presbytery relationships…
“While both trips were short and jam packed with events and outings, they were also full of meaningful time together. We laughed together and shared stories of the past 30 years. We agreed that both countries are in troubling times, but we will work together to make things better. Most importantly, however, we reminded each other that we are not in this alone. None of our sister churches walk alone but are loved by both God and their brothers and sisters in Christ, despite our differences.”
The Rev. Mario Bolivar, Equipping Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Florida, shared his gratitude for the Partnership and personal effect it had upon his life. Here is what he had to say, along with a video Mario made for the occasion:
“Although I could not be present for this year’s partnership celebration, I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has invested in this ministry over the decades.
“This message is a personal tribute to the extraordinary partnership “Hermanamiento” between the Miami Valley Presbytery (Ohio) and the Presbytery of the North Coast of Colombia—a relationship that has faithfully connected two communities of faith for more than 30 years.
“I was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, and I am living testimony to the power of that partnership. As a child, I never imagined that translating for visiting mission teams would become part of God’s call on my life. Through the friendships, encouragement, and shared ministry fostered by this covenant relationship, God revealed gifts, opened doors, and ultimately led me to become a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).”
