Mission guide
Colombia Cali Mission
The Colombia Cali Mission serves Spanish-speaking missionaries in Cali, a lively city known for salsa and its rich history.
- Spanish
Colombia Cali Mission shirts
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Colombia Cali Mission T-Shirt
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Colombia Cali Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Colombia Cali Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
Spanish is the mission language. Families can expect missionaries to use Spanish in daily conversations, church meetings, service, and teaching.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Main city
- Cali, 2,234,400 people in the district and city area (2023)
- Mission language
- Spanish
- Time zone
- Colombia Time (UTC-5)
- Climate
- Tropical, with warm temperatures, rainy seasons from March to May and October to November, and a drier season
- Church in Colombia
- 217,514 members, 31 stakes, 260 congregations
A short history of the area
Cali played an important role in Colombia's independence. It formed its own governing junta on July 3, 1810, and the Battle of Bajo Palacé took place on March 28, 1811. Today, Cali is known as the Salsa Capital of the World and the Sports Capital of Colombia.
The Church here
- 1966Elder Spencer W. Kimball dedicated Colombia for the preaching of the gospel in May.
- 1966The first branch in Colombia was organized in May, and missionaries began preaching in Cali, Medellín, Pereira, and Bucaramanga within months.
- 1971A mission was organized in Colombia.
- 1975The Colombia Cali Mission was formed in July, with Jay E. Jensen as its first mission president.
- 1977Colombia's first stake was created in Bogotá. Nearly 12,000 members were living in the country.
- 1984Colombian Saints celebrated the announcement of a temple in the country in April.
- 1999Colombia's first temple was dedicated in April, 15 years after its announcement.
- 2016Saints across Colombia marked the Church's 50th anniversary with service projects, blood drives, family history exhibitions, and interfaith dialogues.
- 2018The Barranquilla Colombia Temple was dedicated.
Temples nearby
Cali Colombia Temple
Under construction · Near Cali
Bogotá Colombia Temple
Dedicated April 24, 1999 · About 185 miles from Cali
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- HolaHello
- Buenos díasGood morning
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
Foods to try
- Sugar cane (an important crop connected with Cali's historical economy)
- Panela (jaggery and a sugar derivative)
- Cheese (a food associated with the area's historical economy)
- Cholado (a food associated with Cali and the city's Carrera del Cholado)
Fun facts
- Cali is known as the Salsa Capital of the World and hosts a Summer Salsa Festival in early July, along with the monthly Delirio salsa event.
- The MIO public-transit system extends about 243 kilometres and includes the MIO Cable, which serves the Siloé district.
- Cali hosted the 1971 Pan American Games and was later named the Sports Capital of Colombia.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.