About Us
A bit about our history
Colegio Peniel was founded originally by Mr. Miguel Quijano in 1967 originally as a Pre-K to 5th grade primary school, giving parents a Christian education option for their children.
In 1979 the school was sold to the Colombian Association of Christian Churches. The purchase was directed by Pastor Juan De Dios Pinzón, who was the legal representative of the Christian community and became the administrative director of Colegio Peniel. He served in the role of Principal and administrator for many years never accepting a salary. He ran other personal businesses for his family's income and sustenance. His niece reports having accompanied him to the bank to do a withdrawal from his personal account to fulfill teacher payroll at times when tuition funds were not sufficient.
The school is 56 years old and has operated in a few locations prior to where it operates now. Colegio Peniel shares space with a local Christian church in the same building.
In 1997 they began adding high school but expanded with one grade at a time. When that group completed tenth grade, they became the first graduating class in 2002. The class size was only 2 graduates who happened to be sisters.
Fast forward to this year and as we celebrated Thanksgiving Day in the United States, Colegio Peniel graduated its largest group to date in the history of the school graduated. They were the 22nd graduating class comprised of 29 students. One of those students scored in the 99th percentile in the nation on her national graduation exam! She attended Peniel since Pre-K.
Colegio Peniel’s current principal is Jenny Vanessa Ramírez Pinzón, the granddaughter of Pastor Juan Pinzon. She and her sister prepared to be administrators of the school since their youth. They wanted to fulfill and support the vision of their grandfather. Jenny is assisted by her sister Gina Paola, who has served as secretary and administrator at the school since her youth, with the exception of a period of time when she lived in the United States in order to improve her English.
Colegio Peniel operates on Calendar A which runs from February to November. They fulfill the legal requirements of academic education required by the Ministry of National Education while also providing students with guidance in the Christian faith, values, mutual respect and the fear of God, in order to achieve an integral development of the mind, body and spirit, which is the philosophy that guides this institution.
Our Sponsoring Ministry- Interlink Ministries
Interlink Ministries was incorporated on November 30, 1990, as “Friend of Missions.” Interlink is a 501C3 nonprofit located in Apple Creek, Ohio.
They have facilitated over 200 ministries.
We at colegiopeniel.org are so thankful to have Interlink as our friend in ministry! All donations are sent to and processed through Interlink Ministries.
Come Visit
We'd love to have you come see us! Consider coming down to meet your student that you sponsor and jump in and help! We can accommodate a variety of skills and abilities should you wish to come and meet students you are reaching for Christ through your support! Here a young O. D. came down with his church to meet his family's scholarship student in 2020 and got to hang out with the students his age as well.
