My mother, Flor Alba Quiroz Nova, was still quite young when she became a mother. She provided everything for us. In Colombian culture it is common for mothers to be the head of the household because many fathers do not take responsibility for raising their children. For reasons I do not fully understand, God allowed this to happen, and my mother belonged to that part of the culture. She fulfilled the roles of both mother and father at the same time. I was also raised with essential support from my maternal grandfather, Don José Ignacio Quiroz, and my grandmother, Mrs. Flor Angela. Sadly, my grandmother died in July 1998 from an aggressive stomach cancer.

I was also raised with the fundamental help of my maternal grandfather, Don José Ignacio Quiroz, and my grandmother, Mrs. Flor Angela. Sadly, my grandmother passed away in July 1998 from an aggressive type of stomach cancer.

I spent about a year of my early childhood living in Bogotá because of my mother’s work. After my sister was born, my mother had disagreements with my grandfather, who did not agree with her situation at that time and asked her to leave his house. During that year in Bogotá while my mother worked, my aunt Miryam Quiroz took care of me. She was single and had no children at that time, and she was a very kind and loving person.

Eventually we left the city. My sister had been attending a public school in the Suba district of Bogotá but had to be withdrawn when we moved back to Boyacá. My grandmother had become sick, and my grandfather could not care for her while also managing the farm. He grew potatoes, wheat, corn, and other crops. This is common in Boyacá because many rural families live from their crops or livestock.

I grew up there and started school in the rural district (vereda) at age six. The school was a 25-minute walk from my grandfather’s house, and because there was no school bus, I walked every day. I finished up to third grade there and later moved to the town school near the urban center of Siachoque for fourth and fifth grade in 1998 and 1999.Eventually, we left the city. My sister was attending a public school in the Suba district of Bogotá, but she had to be withdrawn because we moved back to Boyacá. My grandmother had fallen ill, and my grandfather couldn't care for her properly while also managing the farm work (he grew potatoes, wheat, corn, and other crops). This is typical of the culture here in Boyacá; most country folk live off their crops or livestock.

I grew up there and started school in the rural district (vereda) at age six. The school was about a 25-minute walk from my grandfather’s house, and since there was no school bus, I walked every day. I finished up to 3rd grade there. Later, I moved to the town school near the urban center of Siachoque for 4th and 5th grade (1998–1999).

I attended the main high school in Siachoque. In 2001 during seventh grade, the historic 9/11 attacks occurred in the United States, an event that shifted global policy regarding terrorism. I graduated from high school in 2006. My school years were full of challenges and ups and downs not because I did not like studying but because the homework assignments were difficult.

After high school I was supposed to perform mandatory military service. At that time Colombia faced intense internal conflict. My family especially my mother was afraid for my safety, having seen other young men return in coffins. Out of fear she paid the fees for my military ID card (libreta militar) so I would not have to serve in the Colombian Army. After high school, I was supposed to perform mandatory military service. At that time, the situation in Colombia was very complex due to internal conflicts. My family, especially my mother, did not want me to go; she had seen other young men return home in coffins. Out of fear for my safety, she paid the fees for my military ID card (libreta militar) so I wouldn't have to serve in the Colombian Army.

I found more stable work at a store called Supermercado Famy and lived in Tunja for several years until the business went bankrupt and closed. After a period of unemployment, I joined a company called Ingemol in Siachoque as an assistant for a short time. I later returned to the same company, but it was forced to close due to the pandemic, and we took refuge in the countryside to follow contingency measures.

I then began working at a fruit shop. Eventually, the owners offered to sell it to me so I would not lose my job. I purchased the business and ran it for two years. During that time, I met a neighbor who lived next to the shop. I did not initially know she was an Evangelical Christian. She invited me to church twice. I could not attend the first time because of work, but the second time I visited Gozo Eterno Church out of curiosity. The atmosphere and the way I was welcomed were different, and I have continued attending ever since and remain active to this day.

My family is entirely Catholic. In Colombia particularly in Siachoque religious tradition runs deep and devotion to the Virgin Mary is strong. Most families never consider leaving that tradition but I found myself searching for something more. I wanted to experience God’s presence in a way that would leave a lasting mark on my life. God’s timing was perfect when my neighbor Paola from Gozo Eterno Church and its seminary (STEGE) invited me to attend. In the first days at the church I experienced fear and questions about my family’s reaction and social judgment but I continued going because I felt a growing freedom and conviction that what I was doing was right.

Eventually my mother found out because people who knew me through my fruit shop shared rumors. By then I had been attending church for several months and had been grounded in the Word through regular Sunday sermons. My mother warned me I was going against the whole family including my grandfather who had followed Catholic tradition for nearly nine decades. At that moment I asked God for wisdom to respond respectfully. I told her I was willing to accept any consequences but that following God with sincerity of heart should not divide a mother and son. Although she left upset I entrusted the situation to God and gave her time and space.

Resistance from family continued for a time but I stayed firm strengthened by Scripture and repentance for my past life. Over time I grew deeper in faith and in community supported by Paola and by church young adult activities led by Pastor Daniel Seo, Jong Park, and Pastor Samuel Seo. I was later invited to enroll in the baptism course which marked a significant step in my spiritual journey. When I was baptized although my mother did not attend I did not feel alone. I am born again and I trust that this too is part of God’s will.

At the end of the year it became impossible to keep the fruit shop open when the landlord raised the rent so I closed it. By then something deeper was already taking shape in my heart. I sensed a call to devote my life more fully to ministry and to serve God beyond the marketplace. As I prepared to move to Tunja to find work I shared my uncertainty with Pastor Daniel not sure I could even continue attending Sunday services.

Pastor Daniel asked me, “Alejo would you like to work with us at the church in the seminary?” In that moment I recognized the invitation as God’s provision and direction and I accepted immediately. Shortly afterward Pastor Samuel Seo contacted me to confirm my role at the Gozo Eterno Seminary (STEGE) marking a decisive shift from secular work into formal ministry preparation.

Within days God reordered my vocational path. I handed over the keys to the fruit shop on and began serving at the seminary. What began as a personal search for God matured into a clear calling to ministry affirming that the Lord was shaping my faith and directing my life.

Before following Catholic tradition I often did so out of obligation rather than conviction. In Siachoque people say “The priest preaches but does not practice” which reflects part of the cultural context that shaped me. I share this not to criticize but to describe how my early understanding of faith was formed. Over time I saw that my spiritual formation was centered more on rituals and inherited customs than on a living relationship with God grounded in His Word.

As I reflected honestly I saw the disconnect between what I said and how I lived. Scripture did not shape decisions character or priorities. I could attend Mass then return to patterns that contradicted the gospel such as arguments excess and behavior shaped by the world rather than Christ. Religious festivals and practices had become routine not expressions of worship flowing from faith. I was not hostile to God but I was spiritually immature and unaware of how far my life had drifted from biblical obedience.

Through God’s grace I learned true transformation requires more than external conformity; it requires repentance humility and surrender. Unlearning deeply ingrained habits and assumptions does not happen by human effort alone; it is the work of the Holy Spirit patiently reshaping the heart. I began asking harder questions of myself: Are my priorities truly centered on God? Am I seeking to enter through the narrow gate or am I content with religious familiarity? This process has been difficult but necessary producing a growing hunger for Scripture sound doctrine and a life consistent with the gospel.

Today I testify that God transforms those who place relationship above tradition and obedience above appearance. At Iglesia Gozo Eterno I encountered pastoral care and teaching rooted in repentance grace and the authority of God’s Word. These foundations strengthened my faith and maturity. I remain a work in progress but my desire is clear to honor God for the transformation He has begun in me and to serve Him faithfully.

After consultation with my local church Gozo Eterno Church I sense a calling to continue my work at Seminario Teológico Evangélico Gozo Eterno and train for pastoral ministry. I hope to serve in this role until the Lord calls me home.

Alejandro currently serves on the administrative staff at the Seminario Teológico Evangélico Gozo Eterno (STEGE). The administrative team works in a shared virtual office with daily online audio and video interaction. Alejandro faithfully participates and contributes significantly to seminary operations. His responsibilities include coordinating and distributing student assignments to assistant instructors to streamline grading updating the gradebook with finalized scores and monitoring student participation to ensure academic engagement and access to essential resources including the Perlego digital library. He manages regular email communication with students addressing questions about coursework status use of Google Classroom and sharing assignments and reminders. In addition to these administrative duties Alejandro participates in the staff’s shared spiritual life by leading a weekly fifteen-minute Bible study for the administrative team.

Alongside his administrative service Alejandro demonstrates deep commitment to his local church and to ongoing spiritual formation. He has been consistently involved in church life never missing a Sunday service which is uncommon in his local context. He regularly volunteers as a greeter and supports visiting missionaries. He completed a biblical hermeneutics course through STEGE and the rigor of that training shows in the care structure and faithfulness of his weekly Bible studies where he closely applies the interpretive methods he learned. Alejandro’s growth is driven not by natural academic advantage but by exceptional discipline perseverance and teachability. Despite limited formal academic background his focused work ethic has enabled him to progress faster than many peers with stronger early academic preparation. He has expressed clear interest in pastoral ministry especially in pastoral care preaching and teaching. We look forward to seeing how his continued formation shapes his service within Gozo Eterno Church and the Seminario Teológico Evangélico Gozo Eterno.

Equip Institute is dedicated to equipping pastors church leaders and missionaries in the Majority World with theological training rooted in Scripture that prepares them for lifelong faithful service. The Institute partners with ministry networks and accredited programs to support pastors through formal degree pathways at minimal cost while contextualizing theological education for global church contexts. Equip’s work reflects a clear commitment to share the gospel make disciples and teach obedience to Jesus’ commands.

We at Equip Institute along with our global partners in Colombia, Gozo Eterno Church and the Seminario Teológico Evangélico Gozo Eterno have chosen to support Alejandro’s formal training in an accredited Master of Arts in Theological Studies program because we believe this foundation will not only strengthen his pastoral ministry but also equip him to train others effectively through his growing role at the seminary. This degree program will give him deep understanding in biblical, theology, doctrine, spiritual formation, church history, hermeneutics, pastoral care, and servant leadership. It will enable him not only to serve faithfully in his church ministry but also to multiply disciples and develop future leaders in his region.

Alejandro’s calling is to make disciples that make disciples. He has demonstrated remarkable aptitude, determination, and spiritual maturity, indicating he will succeed in rigorous academic training and then apply that learning to serve his community. His commitment to the church and his passion for teaching align with our mission to equip leaders with biblical truth and practical ministry skills so they can bear fruit in their communities and beyond. This training will serve him personally and will strengthen the church and seminary where he intends to invest his life “until the day He calls me from this world to be with Him.”