Colombia
The Expositors’ Seminary
MEMBER SCHOOL
Number of Graduates: 171 | Churches Impacted: 19
To provide a rigorous theological education that equips church leaders to rightly handle God's Word and shepherd His people.
MISSION
KEY DETAILS ON THE EXPOSITORS’ SEMINARY
About
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The Expositors' Seminary seeks to prepare the next generation of expository preachers in Colombia. Our prayer is that God's glory will spread throughout our nation through faithful pastors who proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ from every pulpit in local churches in Colombia.
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We seek to train men called to the ministry or pastors currently serving their churches. Expository preaching is the focus of this training. We also seek to teach sound ecclesiology and biblical eldership.
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In our "Bible and Theology" certificate, we use an intensive modular model, with classes every two weeks throughout the term. Students complete their assignments through Canvas.
On the other hand, our "Biblical Studies" certificate has a hybrid format, with lectures at the beginning of each module, and students complete their assignments through Canvas the rest of the weeks.
In both certificates, each student is assigned a mentor pastor for regular discipleship.
Training
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We currently offer two certificates:
Certificate in Biblical Studies: This one-year program focuses on providing solid theological education to all believers with the goal of better serving in their local churches.
Certificate in Bible and Theology: This two-year program focuses on providing exegetical, theological, and biblical knowledge to believers who wish to serve in ministry or who are current teachers in their local churches.
Certificate in Expository Preaching: We are ready to open this certificate to provide solid exegetical and homiletical training to men called to ministry or pastors currently teaching in their churches.
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Our seminary was founded in 2017 by Fernando Jaimes, a missionary sent by Grace Community Church. A few years later, the seminary was consolidated with the support of another GCC missionary, Santiago Armel, and we managed to open two locations, in Bogotá and Cali.
With the support of other men, local church leaders, SEMDEX now has more than 10 professors and more than 150 active students.
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Our goal is to direct our efforts toward finding pastors or men called to ministry who have a desire to receive theological training. To this end, we aim to strengthen our academic offerings by providing a Certificate in Expository Preaching to help them become more faithful in their teaching ministry.
With the Lord's help, our teachers are willing to travel to other cities to provide this training to groups of pastors in remote areas, fulfilling the Great Commission.
Context
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Population: 49,588,357 (2024 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Mestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Indigenous 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official) 98.9%, indigenous 1%, Portuguese 0.1%; 65 indigenous languages exist (2023 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 63.6%, Protestant 17.2% (Evangelical 16.7%, Adventist 0.3%, other Protestant 0.2%), Jehovah's Witness 0.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 0.1%, other 0.3%, believer, 0.2%. agnostic 1%, atheist 1%, none 14.2%, unspecified 1.8% (2023 est.)
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
Refugees (Country of Origin): 2,875,743 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2023)
Internally Displaced Persons: 6,863,334 (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985) (2023)
Stateless Persons: 11 (2022)
Stats from CIA.gov
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Colombia emerged as a nation out of the dissolution of Gran Columbia in 1830, along with Ecuador and Venezuela. During the 20th century, conflict between government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups steadily grew. In 2016, the Colombian Government issued a final accord, calling for the demobilization, disarmament, and reincorporation into society of one of the primary paramilitary organizations (FARC). The government also committed to forming a new system of institutions to carry out justice against criminal organizations. Protection of civil liberties and transparent elections are proof that despite decades of internal conflict, organized crime, and rampant drug trade, the nation’s democratic institutions remain relatively strong. Roman Catholicism has been the dominant religion in the country for many years, although the number of practicing Catholics has decreased of late. On the other hand, the number of Evangelical Christians in Colombia is growing and now stands at 16.7% of the population.
Compiled from CIA.gov, Operation World, and Joshua Project
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Stories from The Expositors’ Seminary
The City That Cries for a Church
In Venezuela, a group of believers gathers week after week, praying to one day establish a church.
The Impact of Preaching in South America
Abigail’s testimony demonstrates the vital need for faithful expository preaching in South America.
