The Colombian Encounter - Bogotá, Colombia - July 30 to Aug 6, 2016
7 Day Encounter Program
July 30 – August 6, 2016
Cost: $975
Includes all meals, lodging, and local transportation (excluding airfare)
Mission Leadership Certification: $250
Application & $250 Deposit due May 1
Balance due June 15, 2016
Encounter the lives and challenges of the Colombian people. Learn and apply short-term mission leadership skills. The Global Episcopal Mission Network and COLFORPAZ team up to provide this enriched global mission experience in Bogotá, Colombia.
This intensive 7-day program is your opportunity to learn about Colombian life, the work of the Diocese, and how you might engage with the people of Colombia in mission. We place special emphasis on global mission education, along with unique opportunities to “encounter” Colombia through presentations, personal contact, community visits and tours.
The Colombian Encounter is a collaborative effort between the Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN), dedicated to promoting global mission engagement throughout the Episcopal Church, and COLFORPAZ, a non-profit committed to supporting a vision of peace and economic sustainability in Colombia in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Colombia.
About Colombia
Colombia is a well-developed and thriving country, with cosmopolitan cities, popular vacation spots, and a vibrant economy. It is an attractive destination due to its relatively stable government, reliable infrastructure and its beautiful and diverse landscapes.
Colombia has, however, the highest rate of income inequality in Latin America, with 46% of the population living in poverty, and the second highest rate of displacement in the world, with 5.2 million people internally displaced from their land and homes by violence. The Episcopal Diocese of Colombia engages in outreach to the displaced and to refugees; addresses food insecurity; and actively supports and secures human rights, employment, health care, and reconciliation.
Learn from Colombian professionals and church leaders on topics such as:
- Displacement
- Land Reform
- Women’s Rights
- The Peace Talks and the Reconciliation Movement
Encounter Colombia first-hand:
- See where and how the displaced live
- Visit a farm being transformed into a community project in support of the displaced
- Meet Colombians working in peace and justice ministries
- Shop in the city’s renowned craft markets
- Visit the Monserrate Shrine
- Tour the Museo de Oro
Overall Schedule:
- Day 1: Arrivals
- Days 2, 3, & 4: Presentations & Discussions
- Day 5: Site Visit and Presentation
- Day 6: Visits/Touring
- Day 7: Departures
Mission Leadership Certification:
GEMN has been offering mission certification for many years to enable leaders in the church to gain the knowledge and credibility to lead their respective churches and dioceses. For an additional fee of $250, and additional course work, GEMN certification is available to anyone interested. Those interested in certification will be asked to meet with the Program Director in a few additional meetings during the week, will be required to complete some specific readings and reflections, and will complete a mission project. Meetings in Colombia will include explanations and evaluation of possible projects. Certification is awarded annually at the GEMN annual meeting/conference. It is expected that all coursework toward certification will be completed by the following spring.
Program Cost:
Program cost is $975 (Includes hotel, meals & local transportation. Please note that flights, airport transfers and pre-trip reading materials not included in the program fee). Program application and nonrefundable deposit of $250 are due by May 1, 2016, with the balance due on June 15, 2016.
Language Requirement
There is no language requirement. While it would enhance the experience to have some Spanish, enabling participants to converse with the people they encounter, all group sessions will be in English and translation will be available as needed throughout the program. Bogota is a wonderful place to learn Spanish. You may want to consider attending a local Spanish immersion school for a week or two either before or after the program. We have a relationship with several schools in Bogota and can facilitate your attendance and lodging. Please contact us at gmip@gemn.org if you are interested in this option.
Program Facilitator
The program will be facilitated by The Rev. Dr. Ted J. Gaiser, missionary in Colombia and President of GEMN. Ted has over 20 years of mission experience, including 8 years of Global Mission Partnership leadership in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts where he developed a mission leadership training program that included group training sessions and a capstone short-term mission trip. He has led mission trips throughout Central & South America, the Caribbean, East Africa and the Middle East. Ted has a varied professional background that includes working in healthcare management, business development, and university education. He holds advanced degrees in theology, business management, and sociology, and currently serves as a priest in the US and the Canon for Mission Development to the Episcopal Diocese of Colombia.
Additional Information
- Bogota is one of the highest capitals in the world, located on an Andean plain at an elevation of 8,000 ft. Few insects survive at this altitude. As such, participants need no medical vaccinations or medications to stay in Bogota or Facatativa. (More detailed information will be available to registrants, or on request.)
- US citizens can travel in Colombia for up to 3 weeks without a tourist visa. No visa is required for participating in the Global Mission Immersion Program.
- All major airlines travel to/from Bogota and to/from major airline hubs in the US.
Program Fees
The total program cost is $975, which includes all hotel, food and local transportation. Program cost does not include airfare, airport transfers and recommended preparatory readings. The optional Mission Leadership Certification is available for an additional $250 fee. Participants will be advised of recommended readings in advance of program attendance and are strongly encouraged to read them in preparation for their trip to Colombia. All participants are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $250 by May 1. Deposits made be made online or by check during the application process. Checks should be made payable to GEMN and mailed to Global Episcopal Mission Network, c/o The Rev. David Kendall-Sperry, P.O. Box 1434, Dublin, OH 43017-6434. Payment in full is due June 15. (Note: GEMN reserves the right to cancel due to insufficient participation & return your deposit. Therefore it is suggested that you do not purchase your airfare until you receive confirmation.)
For assistance and additional information, email the Rev. Ted Gaiser at gmip@gemn.org.