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ColombiaHostile
Christian Persecution in Colombia
Overview:
Many Christians in Colombia are taking great risks to share the gospel in some of the most dangerous places for Christians on earth. Working in these hostile areas often results in persecution from armed guerrillas and paramilitary forces. After voters rejected a 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a Marxist rebel group, the government approved an agreement with the insurgents without public approval in 2017. Since the agreement, various paramilitary groups in rural areas of the north and west have grown more active and violent.
Major Religion:
94 percent of Colombians are Christians. The vast majority are Roman Catholic.
Persecutor:
Marxist (atheistic communist) guerrillas and paramilitary groups violently persecute Christians.
What It Means To Follow Christ In Colombia:
Pastors in Colombia’s “red zones” (areas controlled by militant groups rather than the government) have not benefited significantly from the government’s 2017 peace treaty with the Marxist guerrillas. While the guerrillas no longer officially affiliate with the FARC, they continue to oppress Christians and remain involved in the drug trade. Christians are targeted because their obedience to God’s Word prevents them from supporting or joining the violent factions (guerrillas or paramilitary groups) funded through narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities. Worship, evangelism and travel are dangerous in these areas, as the guerrillas seek to control all aspects of villagers’ lives.
Access To Bibles:
Bibles are available in the cities, but remote and difficult terrain, poor security and lack of transportation make it dangerous and difficult for Christians in red zones to obtain Bibles. Give Bibles
VOM Work:
VOM provides ministry tools to front-line workers and responds to violent persecution in the red zones, where we also distribute many Bibles to believers. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for a decrease in violence, which has spiked over the last year.
- Pray that families of martyrs will remain faithful and continue to heal emotionally and spiritually.
- Pray for front-line workers who share the gospel with unreached people groups.
- Pray for widows and orphans in Colombia who are rebuilding their lives.
- Pray for churches in the "red zones," as Marxist guerrillas have been closing churches.
- Pray for missionaries who distribute Bibles in "red zones."