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Rafael Velasquez (41), the pastor of the Foursquare Gospel Church in the town of Maranonal, Colombia was shot dead by three masked gunmen in his home on the evening of September 6, according to a September 14 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The assailants broke into the pastor's home and murdered him in front of his wife and six young members of his church. Sources believe that paramilitary groups struggling for power are responsible for the attack. At least a dozen other pastors in the region have reportedly faced threats in recent months. In the past three years, more than 35 pastors in Colombia have been murdered and over 200 churches forcibly closed.

Pray for Pastor Velasquez's family at this difficult time. Pray that the passion of God's people in Colombia will be a light that draws others to Christ.

Find out more about the persecution facing believers in Colombia at the Colombia Country Report.

Current Ministry Project

VOMC’s provisions have proven to be a vitally needed means of help and encouragement for a group of expelled Christians who are rebuilding their lives in a new community. In addition to helping them establish a secure means of sustainability and livelihood, the ministry is supporting their efforts to present the Gospel from their new community – seizing this opportunity as a means of outreach to Colombians residing in surrounding areas.

Project Fund: Relief and Development

Country Information

Designation
Persecuted

Population
50,355,650 (July 2021 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Mestizo and white (87.6), Afro-Colombian (including mulatto) (6.8), Amerindian (4.3)

Religion (%)
Christianity (92.3), other (1), unspecified (6.7)

Leader
President Ivan Duque Marquez (2018)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes

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

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