Who We Are

In January 2022, we had US ex-pats, Colombians and others drawn together by the Holy Spirit to launch the first English Speaking Christian Church in Medellin, Colombia. We hold weekly church gatherings which includes worship, Bible preaching and time of interaction. We also have live and online English Bible studies, women’s ministry and special bilingual events. We love God and love people! Come check us out!

Our Beliefs | Our People | Our Story | Our City

What We Believe

FULL DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

the bible

All Scripture contained in the Old and New Testaments is verbally, plenarily, and inerrantly inspired by God. It is the authoritative guide for all Christian understanding, life and ministry.

God

There is but one God eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each is infinite, eternal and almighty.

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son, is fully God and fully man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and He lived a sinless life. He died, shedding His blood in His substitutionary death for sinners, then was buried, arose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father.

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son as the third Person of the Godhead. The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment and unites man to Jesus Christ by faith. We believe the Holy Spirit seals and indwells all believers. The filling of the Holy Spirit is not an unconditional promise to all believers; the indwelling is.

Man

Man was created in the image and likeness of God. It was by man’s free volition that he disobeyed God, incurring physical and spiritual death (separation from God). Each human being is born with a sin nature. Because of this each human is a sinner by nature and is in need of a divine salvation.

Salvation

Salvation is a gift from God. This was accomplished by Christ’s substitutionary death; all who believe in Him are justified by the shedding of His blood. Because salvation is given by grace, the believer’s salvation is eternally secure.

Baptism

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is sent upon all who believe in Jesus Christ. This takes place in each believer at the moment of salvation. Continual infilling may follow. Each gift given by the Holy Spirit is for the edification of the Body of Christ, and is still present today.

Great Commission

We believe that the fulfillment of the Great Commission is the responsibility of all believers.

Church

The church is the body and the bride of Christ. It is dedicated to the worship and service of God and the observance of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The primary task of the church in all ages is to teach all nations and to make disciples through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.

Eternity

Christ will return to rapture His church. Immediately following this event will be the seven-year tribulation period. Concluding this, Christ will come again to the earth and establish His rule for a 1,000 year period. The Great White Throne judgment of the unsaved, coupled with Satan being cast into the lake of fire, will then allow Christ to establish a New Heaven and a New Earth. This is the consummation of all things.

Our Story

Our English Speaking Church in Medellin +

Pastor Brent Hillenga and Greater Grace +

In May 2021, three pastors from Baltimore came to spend a week in Medellin to learn about Grace Church Medellin. Unbeknownst to us, they and many others had been in prayer about starting a church in Medellin when they discovered our tiny group. For us, it was an incredible time with Pastors Brent, Manny, and Dominic. They have all been on the mission field for years, and their heart for ministry is contagious.

Their organization is called Greater Grace World Outreach, and they take “world outreach” and the Great Commission very seriously. To date, there are over 780 churches that have been started by pastors and members of the Greater Grace family. They also have a Bible College and Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.

Later in August, Brent and Dominic brought a group of 12 to visit for a week, and then in November Brent and Manny returned with 2 more people. At that time, we decided to call Pastor Brent as our Pastor and change the name from Grace Church Medellin to Greater Grace Medellin.

Our Future +

For this and future years, we are looking forward expectantly to participate in and watch God accomplish His will through us and our small church. If you are living in or visiting Medellin, we invite you to contact us and plan to visit soon. If you are considering relocating to Latin America, we encourage you to visit, think, and pray about Medellin. Most of us have lived in many locations in Central and South America, and we feel Medellin is one of the best places to live and serve Christ.

Our goal in coming here was to help establish an American-style non-denominational Bible church with music and messages in English. More importantly, we believe God wants to develop a Christian family in Medellin to minister to one another in times of need. When you are far away from home as so many of us are, it is nice to know that you have friends to come alongside and share burdens and provide comfort. Come for a long visit – you may never want to leave.

Location

Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia is a very large cosmopolitan city in South America. We are located in the beautiful, lush Aburra Valley at an elevation of 5,000 feet surrounded by mountains that are 7,000-8,000 feet. The population of the entire valley is about 4 ½ million people. And there is a growing community of foreign residents – many of whom are from the U.S. and Canada.

Transportation

Medellin has infrastructure that would be the envy of many large cities in the United States and Canada. For example, the Metro is extremely popular and cheap. It covers a huge portion of the valley, and rides cost an average of 75 cents USD. With the many connecting bus systems, there is easy access to almost anywhere in the city. And the Metro system also includes numerous “Metro Cable” lines that go up to the higher elevations and allow residents of the poorest areas of the city cheap transportation to and from work.

Weather

Medellin is known as “The City of Eternal Spring”. The reason is the spring-like weather conditions year-round. Temperatures range from the low 60s to the low 80s every day of the year! And insects are generally not an issue. So most people keep their windows and balcony doors open without screens. And most apartment buildings do not even have air conditioning or heating systems, because they aren’t necessary.

Other Benefits

The cost of living is much lower here than anywhere in the U.S. and Canada; about 30-35% of the cost in most US cities. The healthcare system in Colombia is the highest rated in all of Latin America. In fact, Medellin has 9 of the 58 highest-rated hospitals in Latin America. With all of these benefits, is it any wonder that thousands of people from all over the world are drawn to visit Medellin each year. And many of these visitors choose to stay or move here to retire.

Our City

Location +

Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia is a very large cosmopolitan city in South America. We are located in the beautiful, lush Aburra Valley at an elevation of 5,000 feet surrounded by mountains that are 7,000-8,000 feet. The population of the entire valley is about 4 ½ million people. And there is a growing community of foreign residents – many of whom are from the U.S., Canada, UK and Europe.

Transportation +

Medellin has infrastructure that would be the envy of many large cities in the United States and Canada. For example, the Metro is extremely popular and cheap. It covers a huge portion of the valley, and rides cost an average of 75 cents USD. With the many connecting bus systems, there is easy access to almost anywhere in the city. And the Metro system also includes numerous “Metro Cable” lines that go up to the higher elevations and allow residents of the poorest areas of the city cheap transportation to and from work.

Weather +

Medellin is known as “The City of Eternal Spring”. The reason is the spring-like weather conditions year-round. Temperatures range from the low 60s to the low 80s every day of the year! And insects are generally not an issue. So most people keep their windows and balcony doors open without screens. And most apartment buildings do not even have air conditioning or heating systems, because they aren’t necessary.

Other Benefits +

The cost of living is much lower here than anywhere in the U.S. and Canada; about 30-35% of the cost in most US cities. The healthcare system in Colombia is the highest rated in all of Latin America. In fact, Medellin has 9 of the 58 highest-rated hospitals in Latin America. With all of these benefits, is it any wonder that thousands of people from all over the world are drawn to visit Medellin each year. And many of these visitors choose to stay or move here to retire.

Our People

greater grace medellin's pastor brent hillenga and wife lucy hillenga

Pastor Brent & Lucy Hillenga

Prior to arriving in Medellin in 2022, the Hillenga’s ministered in different countries, and in 2012, P. Brent and Lucy along with P. Mike and Sue Stevens established Ministerios de Gracia Mayor in San Jose, Costa Rica.

+57 311 727 1007

pastorbrent@greatergracemedellin.org

Luverne & Connie Shull

Luverne and Connie are faithful leaders in our church. Through many years they have gained a wealth of Bible knowledge and experience, which is accompanied with the deep heart for prayer!

connieprayer@greatergracemedellin.org

Luverne & Connie Shull - Greater Grace Medellin