¡Hola!
Hello, my name is Daniel Borda, and I currently serve with Young Life Colombia as the Area Director for Antioquia, based in the city of Medellín. In our city, we currently have four active clubs: two middle/high school clubs, one Young Lives ministry, and one college ministry. We also dream of expanding the ministry to nearby municipalities such as Rionegro, Llanogrande, Copacabana, and others.
My journey with Young Life began when Alejo and Andre (currently the Regional Directors of Tricolor) introduced me to the ministry. From the very beginning, I fell in love with the way Young Life shares the Gospel with young people through genuine relationships and by meeting them where they are.
Today, my desire is to continue developing leaders, strengthening adult volunteer teams, and reaching more adolescents and young people with the Gospel throughout Antioquia.
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MY DREAM:
My big dream for ministry is to help lead and support the growth of our Western Region, seeing Young Life expand far beyond our four main cities: Medellín, Cali, Ibagué, and Quindío. I dream of seeing new cities, towns, and communities reached throughout each of these regions, with healthy leaders, adults passionate about the vision, and more adolescents and young people hearing the Gospel close to where they live. My desire is not only to strengthen what already exists, but to multiply the ministry into places where Young Life has not yet reached.
What excites me most about this calling is serving in communities full of talented, entrepreneurial, and joyful young people who are also deeply in need of hope and purpose. Despite the cultural challenges they face, I firmly believe God is at work in this generation. That reality moves me to serve with all my heart, develop leaders, and create spaces where more adolescents and young people can experience the love of Jesus through genuine relationships and discipleship.
MY FUNDING NEEDS
To cover daily living expenses—including housing, food, and transportation—I must raise my salary. I would be honored to have you join my support team as a ministry partner. Your faithful prayers and financial support make it possible for me to devote my time and energy to expanding God's Kingdom throughout Colombia and sharing the hope of Christ with those who need Him most.
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MY STORY:
I was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, in a Christian home as the son of pastors—my father, Rodrigo Borda, and my mother, Esperanza Pinzón. I have a younger brother, Santiago Borda. From a very young age, I grew up loving the church and serving in different areas of ministry. However, I was also a very shy child, something God has been transforming throughout my life.
Although I grew up in the church, my faith shifted from being an inherited faith to becoming my own personal faith when I was 21 years old. In the middle of a crisis related to church and during a youth conference, the Lord met me in a very deep and personal way and called me back to His flock. It was in that moment that I decided to fully surrender my life to Him and serve Him in full-time ministry.
In response to that calling, I decided to study Theology at Seminario Bíblico de Colombia in Medellín, where I graduated in 2018. When I was a student, I met Alejandro Maldonado and Andrea Chica, who were leading Young Life Colombia at the time. They introduced me to the ministry, and in 2014 I had the opportunity to attend my first Young Life camp—an experience that deeply shaped both my life and the way I view youth evangelism. I fell in love with the way Young Life shares the Gospel through genuine relationships and real presence in the lives of young people.
From that point on, I decided to serve as a Young Life leader and become part of the founding and growth of the ministry in Medellín. By God’s grace, I also had the opportunity to join the DGL program, from which I graduated in 2018.
In 2021, I met the most beautiful woman in the world, Saray Bedoya, who is now my wife and one of the greatest blessings God has given me.
Today, I serve as the Young Life Area Director in Medellín and am preparing to step into the role of Western Region Director. By God’s grace, our leadership team continues to grow, and every week we are reaching more adolescents and young people. In this season of life, I am also embracing the challenge of learning English and completing my master’s degree at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), trusting in God’s guidance for every step of the journey.
MY EDUCATION
DGL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Fundación Seminario Bíblico de Colombia (FUSBC)
Bachelor of Theology
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SERVE IN Medellín
Doing ministry where I live represents both a great challenge and a great opportunity. Medellín, in particular, is a city full of talented, entrepreneurial, and relational young people. However, it is also strongly influenced by a culture of success based on appearance, quick money, and social recognition, closely tied to the cultural legacy of drug trafficking. Many young people grow up under pressure to “look successful,” make money quickly, and build an image of success from a very early age.
In addition, there is a highly religious context. Many adolescents and young people come from Catholic backgrounds, but in many cases, it is a more cultural or nominal faith rather than a deeply practiced one. Because of this, many believe they already know Jesus, even though they may not have developed a personal relationship with Him.
Even so, young people tend to be open, relational, and curious about the message of the Gospel. They enjoy conversations about faith, purpose, and hope. The greatest challenge is discipleship and seeing the seed truly bear fruit amid so many cultural and social influences competing for their attention and hearts.
MY INTERESTS
My favorite activities include reading, walking or running with my wife, going out to dinner with friends, going to the movies, and enjoying films and TV series. I also love Colombian food; one of my favorite dishes is bandeja paisa. My wife and I love discovering new places, so we enjoy visiting small towns, exploring new destinations, and creating experiences together. One of the best experiences we have shared was a trip to Peru a few years ago. It was an incredible experience that we remember very fondly!
Prayer request
My prayer request is for this new challenge as a Regional Director. I must admit that stepping into responsibilities of this magnitude feels a bit overwhelming at times. At the same time, I want to walk in the conviction that this is not about my own strength, but about God working through me. I pray that He would continually remind me of that truth, give me humility, wisdom, and discernment, and equip me to faithfully face and navigate the challenges ahead.
A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33
I love this verse because it constantly reminds me that there is a priority above my schedule, worries, and plans: seeking God and living for His Kingdom. It helps me remember that when He takes first place, everything else finds its proper order.
I WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOU MORE ABOUT MY MINISTRY
I would be so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about you and tell you more about my ministry here in Colombia. Please email me so we can connect. I look forward to what the Lord has in store. –– Daniel
MY STORY
I was born into a Muslim household that followed Allah without any questions until my older sister received Christ and become a Christian. Our parents followed in the faith. Ever since my life has not been the same because Jesus is at the center of it now. I'm an ordained minister of the Gospel in my church. Now a Developing Global Leader, I am combining my gifts and passions and pursuing a degree in graphic design and video editing at Milton Margai Technical University.
My greatest strength is my ability to motivate and help the younger generation by bringing out the best in them. My vision is to remain actively involved in the next generation through Young Life and give counsel and help as they identify their own talents.
MY MINISTRY FOCUS
I work in a community where many teenagers have to work to support their families as street vendors, on farms, or low-paying informal jobs. Teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and the need to support family income often force teens—particularly girls—out of school. Crime, drug abuse, and gangs are a common threat.
That's why Young Life is such an important part of this community. We give kids opportunities for healthy friendships, fun activities, positive role models and, most of all, the chance to hear the gospel and grow in faith.
I currently lead two clubs, one in the city center and the other one that is just starting in a nearby neighborhood. Our focus is on high school kids and we are training leaders to open a Wyldlife club in the next six months.
MY PRAYER REQUESTS
• More volunteer leaders for the Waterloo club. We are expanding and reaching younger kids so we want to start a Wyldlife Club in that community but we do not have enough leaders to do it well.
• Upcoming camp - that we would be able to have dependable transportation there and that many kids hear and respond to the Gospel.
• For God's favor on my family – improved health for my mom. My sister is finishing secondary school and dreams of going to university. We are praying that she will receive a scholarship.
YL MINISTRY IMPACT IN NORWAY
LEARN MORE ABOUT DEVELOPING GLOBAL LEADERS
Through sponsorship, Young Life's Developing Global Leaders (DGL) Program offers Young Life leaders in the world's poorest developing countries a pathway to a future they never thought possible – the opportunity to attend university in their own country and impact their community with the Gospel. $250 per month is all it takes. LEARN MORE