From a Life Pulled in the Wrong Direction to a Bible School Leader
One young man. A persistent leader. A God who never gave up.
Sometimes the greatest evidence of God’s faithfulness is found in a life that seems to have every reason to go in another direction.
During a YWAM outreach from Cartagena, Colombia, a young Venezuelan named Uli encountered the Gospel and chose to follow Jesus. Wanting to grow in his faith, he traveled to Cartagena to attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS).
After completing his DTS, Uli returned to Venezuela. But stepping back into his old environment brought powerful pressures. Surrounded by people and influences that pulled him away from the life he had begun in Christ, Uli eventually returned to his former way of living.
Yet God had not finished writing his story.
The director of YWAM Cartagena believed so strongly in Uli that he made reaching out to him a priority. Rather than allowing distance or disappointment to end the relationship, he continued sending letters and teams to encourage Uli and remind him of the hope and purpose found in Jesus.
Eventually, Uli returned to Cartagena and enrolled in another DTS.
This time, his faith continued to take root. His passion for the Bible grew, and after joining YWAM staff, he completed a Discipleship Bible School. His love for Scripture led him to become a teacher, and eventually, the leader of the Bible school in Cartagena.
But God’s work in Uli’s life didn’t stop with his own transformation.
Uli has since helped establish 15 Bible programs throughout Latin America, equipping others to grow in God’s Word and multiply disciples across the region.
What began with one outreach team and one young man became a story of restoration, perseverance, and multiplication. Uli’s journey reminds us that discipleship is not always a straight line. The people around us can profoundly influence our direction, but God’s grace, faithful discipleship, and the persistence of those who believe in us can open a new path.
Sometimes, believing in someone means continuing to reach out when they have lost their way. Through one leader’s commitment to Uli and God’s transforming work in his life, what began as a single outreach encounter has grown into a multiplying ministry established throughout Latin America.
Strengthening the Ministry for Greater Impact
Since the beginning of 2026, Leadership13 has been working alongside the YWAM Cartagena leadership team. As the ministry has grown, the need for greater clarity in structure and systems has also increased. The leadership team has made significant progress in strengthening areas that needed attention and moving the ministry forward.
With a dedicated team already in place, this season is focused on building a healthy foundation for continued growth and lasting impact.
At MBI, we believe that strengthening ministries behind the scenes helps create the environment where lives can be transformed, leaders can be equipped, and the Gospel can multiply throughout the nations.
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