Colombia (MNN) ― Colombia's guerrilla and criminal groups have long been persecutors of the church.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) are known to target Christian leaders who actively oppose the drug trade and other corruption in the country.
According to Voice of the Martyrs Canada, this harassment has extended to pastors and youth leaders, too. As they share the hope of Christ, their influence on young people makes it difficult for Colombian Marxist and paramilitary groups to recruit them into their ranks.
The good news is that it seems there's been a break in the action. David Shibley with Global Advance says that's why they held a Frontline Shepherd's Conference in Medellin this month. "They've had very strong government resistance against the cartels, so it was an opportune time to go in and strengthen and encourage a church that really has seen some victories in the last several years."
Rebels targeted church leaders because they opposed corruption. However, he notes, "They have been held at bay, and I believe a great reason for that has been the strength of the church and the prayers of the people of God."
As the Global Advance team came in with the FSC, it was clear that the Colombian church's evangelistic fervor got the boost it needed. Shibley says, "Many of these young people told me that because of this week, they want to commit themselves to the cause of missionary service."
In addition to a Gospel sending force, pastors made another commitment: "I challenged and encouraged them to plant at least one new church within the next 12 months," explains Shibley, adding, "Many hundreds of pastors responded to do so."
There are more than 125 other Global Advance events scheduled for 2010. These conferences serve as catalysts for church planting and indigenous missions efforts. The aim is to provide national pastors and church leaders with a vision in their hearts for the advance of the Gospel. You can help. Click here for details.
