The Church Brings Hope to a Hurting World
God is using the amazing partnership we have with Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) to extend His Kingdom around the world through DCPI trained church planters.
The Church is designed to be a ministry of Jesus’ love on earth, and she is walking out that identity around the globe today. Let’s zoom in to Mocoa, the capital of Putumayo in southwestern Colombia, to get some detail on what this looks like.
With much heavy rain, three rivers overflowed, trees and buildings were torn down, neighborhoods got washed away, and streets were covered with boulders and debris. A destructive landslide hit Mocoa in the early hours of 1 April 2017, killing over 300 people, injuring over 300 more, and leaving more than 100 missing. Colombia’s President declared a state of disaster. It is helpful to note and acknowledge the pre-existing stressors that are being sustained by the people of Putumayo. It is a “red zone,” which is a byword for territory commandeered by FARC (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) to cultivate and process cocaine.
Several churches in Putumayo, specifically in and around Mocoa, were impacted by this natural disaster. The collective loss to these churches tallied at 20 deaths, 72 homes destroyed, 22 people missing, and 17 families who have lost all their belongings.
The mayor of Mocoa delegated a DCPI impact church in Cali, about 165 miles away, as the point place for receiving and distributing relief donations to those struck by the landslide. Together, hundreds of youth, church members and people from other congregations packed 1,500 bags full of groceries, toiletries, clothes & shoes into 200 huge burlap bags, along with gas stoves, blankets, and cots. All this (9 tons) was packed on to a relief truck and safely transported for 24 hours through the mountains to Mocoa, where a captain from the army escorted it into the city.
When churches are planted, they often last for years and years. People come to Christ! They are discipled! This is an eternal solution. Jesus changes people’s lives, communities and countries. Then the churches are conduits for care during catastrophes like earthquakes and mudslides to help meet needs and bring a witness for Christ. Churches bring hope that lasts an eternity!