Fernando and Julia Jaimes
Background Information
Fernando and Julia immigrated to Toronto from Colombia in 1998. Soon after arriving, Fernando became a Christian in answer to Julia’s prayers. Julia had become a Christian before leaving Colombia. The Jaimes and their two sons, David and Samuel, came to Montreal where they joined Westview Bible Church. Fernando was involved in the textile industry in Canada for ten years. They moved to Faith Community Bible Church when it was established in 2006 where Fernando became a deacon. A short term mission trip to Eagle Bay Camp in 2007 (to help the Greers, who later became the founders of Pathway Camp Ministries) helped to confirm his call to go to seminary to study theology so that he could become a pastor to Spanish speaking congregations.
In 2008 the family arrived at Masters Seminary in Los Angeles. There Fernando received a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theology (Th.M.) and began to work on a Doctor of Ministry (D.M.). He was a Professor at the Instituto de Expositores (IDEX) (Expositors Institute) at Grace en Español (Grace Church in Spanish) from 2011 – 2016. Julia worked in administration and ministry in the large Grace Church nursery. In 2016 Fernando was ordained at Grace en Español and since the move to Bogota at the end of October 2016 he has become pastor of Comunidad de Gracia Bogota and has established a Bible Institute for pastors and leaders.
The Jaimes felt a call to return to their home country for several reasons. In Latin America, Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest receptivity to sound doctrine. There are many Christian churches growing fast. Colombia is a good place for a biblical training institute since it has a strategic location that links Central America with South America allowing easy access for pastors in both areas that would like pastoral training.
Their Ministry in Bogota
Their mission is to strengthen the leadership of local churches in major cities of Colombia, through Bible exposition and theology classes, and through training pastors in the original biblical languages. Fernando pastors the local church, Comunidad de Gracia Bogota and directs a Biblical Institute that offers classes to Christian leaders of other local churches. Julia is in charge of children’s ministry at the church, a women’s Bible Study and works in administration at the Institute. She also had the care of her elderly mother until her passing away in 2021.
Their son David, who is moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco is married to Jessica and had a baby daughter, Beatrix on Dec.14, 2020. Their younger son, Samuel, lives in Los Angeles.
How Can I Be Involved?
- Pray! Attend the monthly Bethel Missions Prayer meetings to keep updated.
- Read the Jaimes’ newsletters. To receive a copy of their periodical newsletters contact Fernando at the email address below.
- Write a letter or email. Missionaries like to hear our news as well so that they can keep in touch.