In the Orinoquía region of Colombia, where ecological degradation has taken a heavy toll on native forests and pollinators, the Rev. Martín Velandia Mendivelso launched a bold and faith-rooted evangelism initiative through beekeeping and native reforestation.
With support from the Episcopal Evangelism Society, Martín’s project—“Semillero de Abejas” (Bee Nursery)—focused on rescuing and repopulating native bee species and Apis mellifera colonies while restoring local ecosystems with over 50 species of native trees and flowering plants. He collaborated with local families, agricultural stakeholders, and members of the Santa María Virgen Episcopal Mission in Yopal, Casanare, where he serves as priest-in-charge.
More than an environmental initiative, Martín’s project framed ecological restoration as a living expression of the Gospel—embodying the Fifth Mark of Mission and bearing witness to the sacred call to care for creation. Community members were invited not only to participate in the cultivation of bee colonies and plant nurseries but also to reimagine evangelism as stewardship, healing, and collective transformation.
The project has had lasting social and spiritual impact:
-
Families became stewards of new bee colonies.
-
Local education efforts spread awareness of the vital role bees play in biodiversity and food security.
-
Parishioners deepened their commitment to ecological justice as an expression of their faith.
“The work of evangelism,” Martín wrote, “goes beyond sharing the Good News of Christ—it also calls us to take practical steps as stewards of creation, offering a living testimony that faith includes safeguarding life itself.”
His vision of the church as a “missionary, dynamic, and transparent” force in society comes to life through this integrated project of conservation, environmental education, and Gospel proclamation. Martín’s prayer is that this initiative continues to grow—strengthening the identity of the Episcopal Church in Colombia as a beacon of justice, renewal, and hope.
A link to a video about this project is here
