Unidentified gunmen assassinated Rev. José Juan Lozada Corteza, pastor of the Evangelical Christian Church of San Antonio, Colombia, on January 27. According to a report from Compass Direct, uniformed men stopped a transit bus, forced the pastor from the bus and shot him in the head. They also killed a member of his church traveling with him. Rebel forces fighting against the government are reportedly responsible for the attack. Since fighting began in 1985, at least 72 Protestant pastors and 33 Catholic priests have been killed.
In a similar incident in November, two men was ordered to kill Rev. Esnilder Popó, pastor of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Santander, Cauca. However, one came to the pastor following the service and confessed the plan to him, saying, "I could not bring myself to do it." Evangelical and human rights leaders have urged Rev. Popó to leave the area for his safety.
Pray for safety for Christian leaders throughout Colombia who face threats on their lives as they work to share the Gospel and demonstrate the love of Christ to the people of Colombia.
The March edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter will focus on the trials and testimonies of our brothers and sisters in Colombia. To subscribe to our free monthly newsletter, go to www.vomcanada.com/nlorder.htm.
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