Colombian guerrillas have released a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, Gonzalo Cardona after holding him captive for six months. The pastor of an 800-member church in Uraba in northwestern Colombia was abducted Aug. 19 while traveling in his car with his family. According to a report from Adventist News Network, he has undergone stress tests and is suffering a mild case of malaria, but he is very thankful to the Lord for his release. The feature article of the March edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will focus on the courage and plight of Colombia's courageous Christians. For more information on how to receive a free subscription, go to www.vomcanada.com/nlonline.htm.
Pastor Released After Six Months
- Country Information
Population
49,336,454 (2023 est.)Ethnicity (%)
Mestizo and white (87.6), Afro-Colombian (6.8), Amerindian (4.3), unspecified )1.4)Religion (%)
Christianity (92.3), other (1), unspecified (6.7)Leader
President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego (2022)Government type
Presidential republicSource: CIA World Factbook
- Pray for Colombia
Please uphold all those in Colombia who’ve been victimized through acts of violence, asking the Lord to meet their needs, heal them of their brokenness, and bring about renewed hope and restoration. Also intercede for their persecutors so that they, too, will witness the love of Christ and experience His forgiveness and salvation.
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Colombia News
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Pastoring Family Assassinated
Pastor Marlon Lora and his family.
Photo: The Lora family
Police are currently investigating the drive-by assassination of Pastor Marlon Lora and his family, which took place on December 29th. Pastor Marlon, his wife Yurlay Rincon – along with their two children, Angela and Santiago – had been finishing lunch when they were suddenly gunned down by men on a motorcycle. The violent attack occurred just metres away from the police station in Aguachica, northern Colombia.
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Law Proposed to Ban Evangelization
Kelly Saenz, wife of martyred believer Pabel Tujillo, understands how costly it can be to follow Christ.
Hear Kelly's testimony.
Photo: 100 Huntley StreetSources in Colombia are calling for urgent prayer, as organizations endeavour to ban Christian evangelization among Indigenous communities. Within the Colombian constitution, Indigenous communities are granted special rights of self-governance. As a result, Christians have encountered significant persecution, with little or no recourse.
Currently, a group from within the Paez community of Huila are in the capital city of Bogota fighting for a law to ban evangelization and give the Paez people complete control over education. The proposed law would then prevent the operation of Christian schools in Indigenous communities.
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Church Traumatized by Fatal Shooting
Photo: World Watch Monitor Pastor Leider Molina, 24, had just finished preaching at his church in Caucasia (northwest Colombia) on Friday, February 9th. As he stepped out of the building, he was shot with five bullets. The young man was known as a passionate preacher and active youth leader in his church and city.
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Standing Firm Amid Death Threats
Photo: The Voice of the Martyrs USA Death threats have been a typical part of ministry life for "Xavier," a partnering church planter who works in one of Colombia's most dangerous regions; a poor, rural area currently being ruled by paramilitaries. Before his involvement in ministry, Xavier had a successful career in broadcasting. Yet, in 2009, God directed him to begin a church in one of Colombia's poorest cities, a call that Xavier couldn't deny.
