Story from Colombia: Forced to take Drugs

The problem is so large, that the government has no idea what to do about it...

Rev. Abram Bagunu • Associate Pastor
July 8, 2026

3 Minute Read

Reposted from a message from Amanda Berger:

Story: The need is so great the government doesn't even know where to start...

WINS: It's been a few days since our Chi Alpha team left - it was an amazing week of ministry with several highs including 6 salvations, but I'm stuck thinking about an interaction I had Saturday night...

We were ministering at a youth small group, the team came ready with a sermon but God changed their heart to share on persecution, not really sure why but in obedience changed the sermon.

At the end of the night one of the youth leaders shared with me that her nephew who attends the group was asked to do drugs a while back, and said no. He was beaten for saying no and has since been forced to do drugs.

My heart shattered at this reality many kids and youth face here. The accessibility & affordability of drugs...and society's indifference, or avoidance, of all those struggling with addiction.

I've met with many pastors and been told multiple times, "Amanda, the need is so great the government doesn't even know where to start; we are overwhelmed with need."

In the face of overwhelming need, I'm reminded that we serve a God bigger than any need, system, or plan. A God who sees each individual as His child and has a plan for redemption for all of them.

Would you pray for:

Open doors & wisdom on where to start
Pastors & individuals willing to serve

Thank you for being a part of breaking cycles and making disciples in Colombia!

Amanda and the youth girls

Youth Group in Colombia

A day in the life: familiar, yet different.

You asked for more a day in the life of a missionary so here we are.

First, let me break any illusion that missionary life doesn't have mundane parts, because boy does it.

In fact, I just had a month full of mundane adult chores with all the obstacles that come with them:

Apartment hunting
Attending 80 hr of drivers licensing class
Buying a car (pic to come)
Oh, and train a puppy

These things are familiar things we do in the USA, but in a different language & a different country with their own rules & regulations - some of which you don't know until you break them. It's taxing on the mind and body.

While the achiever in me wants to say, geez, Amanda, that's all you did?

I can proudly say I DID ALL OF THAT!

So whatever you're doing today that feels mundane, or like it's not moving the needle, remember God is in the mundane & necessary parts of life as much as he's in the mountain top moments.

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July 8, 2026 • 3 Minute Read

Story from Colombia: Forced to take Drugs

Reposted from a message from Amanda Berger: Story: The need is so great the government doesn't even know where to start... WINS: It's been a few days since our Chi Alpha team left - it was an amazing week of ministry with several highs including 6 salvations, but I'm stuck thinking about an interaction I had Saturday night... We were ministering at a youth small group, the team came ready with a sermon but God changed their heart to share on persecution, not really sure why but in obedience changed the sermon. At the end of the night one of the youth leaders shared with me that her nephew who attends the group was asked to do drugs a while back, and said no. He was beaten for saying no and has since been forced to do drugs. My heart shattered at this reality many kids and youth face here. The accessibility & affordability of drugs...and society's indifference, or avoidance, of all those struggling with addiction. I've met with many pastors and been told multiple times, "Amanda, the need is so great the government doesn't even know where to start; we are overwhelmed with need." In the face of overwhelming need, I'm reminded that we serve a God bigger than any need, system, or plan. A God who sees each individual as His child and has a plan for redemption for all of them. Would you pray for: Open doors & wisdom on where to start Pastors & individuals willing to serve Thank you for being a part of breaking cycles and making disciples in Colombia! A day in the life: familiar, yet different. You asked for more a day in the life of a missionary so here we are. First, let me break any illusion that missionary life doesn't have mundane parts, because boy does it. In fact, I just had a month full of mundane adult chores with all the obstacles that come with them: Apartment hunting Attending 80 hr of drivers licensing class Buying a car (pic to come) Oh, and train a puppy These things are familiar things we do in the USA, but in a different language & a different country with their own rules & regulations - some of which you don't know until you break them. It's taxing on the mind and body. While the achiever in me wants to say, geez, Amanda, that's all you did? I can proudly say I DID ALL OF THAT! So whatever you're doing today that feels mundane, or like it's not moving the needle, remember God is in the mundane & necessary parts of life as much as he's in the mountain top moments.

Rev. Abram Bagunu

Associate Pastor

May 25, 2026 • 2 Minute Read

First Priority: end-of-school update and celebration

First Priority is a student-led campus ministry focused on bringing the gospel into middle schools and high schools across the Kansas City area. Through weekly clubs hosted on school campuses, students are sharing testimonies, preaching the gospel, praying for their peers, and inviting friends to encounter Jesus. One of the most powerful aspects of First Priority is simple: students are reaching students. Middle school and high school students are standing up in their schools and boldly sharing their faith with their classmates. Instead of waiting for someone else to reach their generation, they are becoming missionaries in the hallways, cafeterias, classrooms, and campuses they walk through every day. Four years ago, Ps. Abram helped launch some of the first First Priority clubs in Kansas City alongside Rylee Reece, Delaney Summers, and Louise Eskina. That first school year, there were only six clubs in the entire Kansas City area. Now, by the grace of God, there are more than 40 active clubs across the city. Impact This school year alone, God has used First Priority KC in incredible ways: 40 Active Clubs 451 Active Student Leaders 1,672 Weekly Attendees across the City 543 Decisions for Christ Behind every number is a story. A student inviting a friend to club for the first time. A teenager praying publicly at school. A Bible opened during lunch. A teenager making the decision to follow Jesus. We believe schools are one of the greatest mission fields in our city, and First Priority is helping equip students to live on mission where they already are every day. At Commission Church, we are grateful to support and celebrate ministries that are reaching the next generation with the gospel. Your Next Step Pray for students across Kansas City. Pray for boldness for student leaders. Pray for open hearts in schools. Pray for continued opportunities for the gospel to spread throughout our city. Give... Make a donation to our church and write “First Priority” in the memo.Give “And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” — Romans 10:14

Rev. Abram Bagunu

Associate Pastor

May 11, 2026 • 1 Minute Read

Irvin Rutherford passing his missionary mantle on to the next generation.

Pastor Irvin Rutherford, a missionary for over 60 years, is passing on his mantle to the next generation. While visiting this past March, Pastor Irvin, our missionary board member, shared that after 60 years of ministering throughout the world, he's passing on the leadership of global ministry teams—GMT—to Pastor Aaron McManus over the next few years. You can watch the service where he shares this update with our congregation by clicking the button below.Watch here Brother Irvin has ministered primarily in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, for decades. He and his wife, Linda, traveled throughout Asia and the world, raising their kids and ministering. Now that both Irvin and Linda are growing older and are more restricted in their travel, Pastor Irvin has been training a new leader to take over his ministry. Pastor Irvin has trained and impacted the lives of 500 leaders in 83 countries worldwide. Ps. Aaron will be working with Ps. Irvin, as they prepare him to lead the continued effort around the world to preach the gospel and build up the next generation of church leaders, pastors, evangelists, and church workers across the world.

Rev. Abram Bagunu

Associate Pastor