A brief encounter during a student literature evangelism campaign in Sogamoso, Boyacá, in northern Colombia, would eventually lead Michelle Pulido to a life-changing decision. Months later, she stood before hundreds of students and church leaders during the National Assembly of Literature Evangelists in Medellín to publicly give her life to Christ.

Pulido was one of seven people baptized as a result of the spiritual outreach carried out during a student canvassing campaign organized by the Emprendum program of Colombia Adventist University (UNAC). The campaign took place between November 2025 and January 2026 and involved 96 students serving in eight teams across several cities in Colombia.

In Sogamoso, a group of ten literature evangelists witnessed firsthand how a simple moment of compassion could grow into a journey of spiritual transformation.

A providential encounter

In December, Camila Madrid, co-leader of the student team in Sogamoso, entered a local bakery and noticed a young woman who appeared visibly distressed. After offering a brief personal prayer, Madrid felt impressed to approach her.

“I felt the impression to speak with her. I didn’t offer literature at that moment; I simply introduced myself and shared a message of hope,” Madrid said.

The young woman was Michelle Pulido, who was going through a deep emotional crisis. Later, Pulido shared that she had been struggling with episodes of depression and anxiety and had sought professional support on several occasions.

“That day I felt completely alone,” Pulido recalled. “When she approached me, I thought it was a coincidence, but with time I realized that God was working.”

A few days later, Pulido accepted an invitation to attend church. She soon began participating in Bible studies and receiving spiritual support from the student literature evangelists and members of the local congregation.

A journey of healing

Over the next two months, Pulido regularly attended Bible studies and church activities while continuing her personal journey of healing. She credits both the spiritual guidance she received and the professional help she sought as important steps in her recovery.

“I had sought medical and psychological help, but I also needed spiritual restoration,” Pulido said. “I found a peace I had never experienced before.”

On February 21, during the National Assembly of Literature Evangelists held in Medellín, Pulido was baptized in front of students, publishing ministries leaders, and church administrators. According to event organizers, it was the first time a baptism had taken place as part of such an a student literature evangelists assembly event.

Formation beyond books

For Alexis Gallego, associate director of the Emprendum student literature evangelism program, stories like Pulido’s reflect the deeper purpose of the ministry.

“What impacts us most is seeing the transformation in the life of each literature evangelist,” Gallego said. “These are young people who step out of their comfort zones to serve, but in that process they themselves are also transformed.”

He emphasized that student literature evangelism goes far beyond distributing books.

“While you become an instrument of transformation, you are also transformed,” he added.

Adriana Acevedo, program director, explained that every campaign includes training in leadership, teamwork, spiritual development, and how to respond to people’s needs with empathy and respect.

“They don’t represent only Emprendum; they also represent the university and the church,” Acevedo said. “That is why the training is holistic.”

A ministry that continues to grow

Student literature evangelism at UNAC has operated formally under the name Emprendum since 2019, although its roots date back to 2004 when it operated as PubliUNAC.

In addition to vacation campaigns held mid-year and at the end of the year, the program also runs the Dream Big initiative, which allows students to generate income for their university studies through literature evangelism—the distribution of Christian books that also serves as a tool for evangelism and service.

The most recent campaign resulted in seven baptisms in different cities across Colombia, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to the church’s mission, organizers said.

For Pulido, the experience marked a new beginning.

“Today I want to continue growing spiritually and maintain the peace I have found,” she said.

What began as a simple conversation in a bakery ultimately became a public decision of faith—reminding those attending the assembly that the publishing ministry continues to bring hope to people facing difficult moments in their lives.

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division news site.