Former Guerrilla Now Serves as Powerful Witness

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"The cross of Christ is the most revolutionary
thing to appear among men."
A.W. Tozer

It was through a VOM frontline worker named "Rolo" that a former FARC commander learned about Jesus. Though he was once trained by some of the highest-ranking leaders in the guerrilla organization, "Fernando" has made a decision to follow Christ and is now sharing the Gospel with others.

When Rolo recently met with Fernando, he experienced the harsh living conditions of the war-torn area in which the former commander lives. The church within this region is controlled by the guerrillas and, if the Christians don't adhere to the orders given by the FARC rebels, they will be forced to leave or risk life-threatening danger. Though the area is improving, Rolo explained that the long years of war and living under Marxism and Leninism have made the people both fearful and resistant to the Good News.

During Rolo's visit, Fernando happily received Bibles and other Christian books for the purpose of sharing them with others living within the war-torn area. Since the area is extremely dangerous, the two men went together for protection. As they began to distribute the Scriptures and books along the outskirts of town, people in the community were surprised to witness the former guerrilla sharing the Gospel. Rolo reported that each person they had encountered were shocked to witness the retired FARC commander without his former weapons. Instead, the new convert was armed with Bibles and an earnest desire to share the message of Jesus.

Praise God for the courageous and life-changing faith of Rolo and Fernando! Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to move mightily in the hearts of other members of FARC, drawing them also into a personal relationship with our Risen Lord. May wisdom be granted to Fernando as he ministers within this dangerous region, along with the necessary provision for this evangelist's practical needs as he struggles to make a living to support his family and serve faithfully in ministry.

Please visit our Country Report for more on the struggles facing our Christian family in Colombia, including the video testimony of a former FARC commander referred to as "Elmer."

  • 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 republic

    Source: 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

  • Law Proposed to Ban Evangelization
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    Kelly Saenz, wife of martyred believer Pabel Tujillo, understands how costly it can be to follow Christ.
    Hear Kelly's testimony.
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    Sources 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.

    Read more...

  • Church Traumatized by Fatal Shooting
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    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
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    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.

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  • Varied Reactions over FARC Deal
    Flag of the FARC-EP
    Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Boris Arenas

    June 23rd was an historic day in Colombia. After four years of peace talks, and more than 50 years of armed confrontation, a bilateral ceasefire was agreed upon between the Colombian government and representatives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a guerrilla group founded in 1964 that is currently operating with 15,700 members.

    The reaction of the church is divided. On one hand, its long-suffering members are skeptical about the promises of peace and reconciliation by the government and the guerrillas. A female church leader, who requests anonymity, states that "the persecution against the church has grown through criminal gangs, indigenous leaders and other guerrilla groups."

    On the other hand, leaders and representatives of the urban church have reacted more positively to the proposals. Even so, about 30 pastors from different regions of the country are concerned about getting involved in the verification processes of the points agreed upon as it could bring them added problems. One Christian leader who was displaced by the FARC explains:

    "In rural areas, we are vulnerable, and any information we report to the government will be used against us. The guerrillas will have access to official information with the powers...given to them in the post-conflict. We were trained to forgive, not to denounce. Our role will be to welcome those who demobilize, and to be peacemakers as we have always been."

    There is more acceptance of the peace agreement in cities where people in the streets are expressing excitement. "This is the answer to the prayers of many churches, vigils and intercession that for many years we have done -- so that the war ends in Colombia," states Rolando, a representative of Christ for the City Church in the capital of Bogota. To learn more about the country of Colombia, and the crucial role of the church, go to this page.

    Please join us in praying for the manifestation of "true peace" within the nation of Colombia -- beginning in the hearts of the people. May the peace of God flow throughout the land, halting the schemes of those with intent to pose further violence and harm. May the country's pastoral leaders and the members of their churches, especially those serving in vulnerable areas, be free to preach the Word of the Lord with boldness and to worship Him without the threat of opposition. May God continue the good work that He has begun in the nation of Colombia by not only providing peace and protection to its citizens, but also by leading many more who are in desperate need of salvation to the "Prince of Peace."

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