Venezuela

Venezuela has been a fruitful field for the gospel. The work of the assemblies began over 100 years ago through much sacrifice. Very faithful and godly men, raised and sent by God from foreign lands, laid a solid foundation and the Lord has given the increase. At present there are 205 assemblies in the country, but also in many places where the gospel is being preached the Lord is saving souls, and there is the hope that soon a golden lampstand may be established.

The Lord has also raised up men among the assemblies to go forth with the precious seed and to teach His word capably. There are twenty-seven couples labouring at present. Noel McKeown and Stephen Redpath are the only ones now in the country commended from Northern Ireland, and Norman Turkington, who was born and raised here in Venezuela, was commended last year with his wife Hannah, from the assembly in Portage La Prairie, Canada. The Lord’s work has suffered a great loss in the last four years, with the home call of five hard-labouring and capable brethren: Alirio Guerrero, Allan Turkington, Jim Walmsley, Fausto Barroso, and Bernardo Chirinos. Also, the absence of missionaries from abroad, such as Uel Ussher, Paul Chapman, and Edward Smith, due to health issues, is very keenly felt. Two homes for the care of aged believers, two homes for the care of orphans and children with need, and several gospel schools are functioning also in total dependence on God.

Although the country has suffered an enormous economic collapse which contributed to scarcity of basic goods, such as food and medicine, and obliged several million to emigrate to neighbouring countries and elsewhere, the liberties for the preaching of the gospel have not been hindered, and no doubt the lack of materialism has favoured the interest of many to seek spiritual help. At present, basic goods are not scarce, but available at prices which are far beyond the possibility of a person who earns a normal wage. Many receive help from relatives who have emigrated. Fuel is rationed and this creates difficulties for the Lord’s servants who must do a lot of travelling.

The only state in Venezuela which did not count on permanent gospel activity up until the year 2010 was Delta Amacuro. We moved as a family to this state in 2014 having visited it regularly for evangelization since 2010. After several years of sowing and reaping, the Lord gave us the joy of seeing an assembly planted in Tucupita (capital of the state) in December 2022. Delta Amacuro has an estimated population of around 160, 000, of which a small percentage corresponds to the indigenous Waraos tribe. Many of these live along the banks of the Orinoco River in very humble dwellings and others live in the city. They have a different culture, a different language (although most would understand Spanish), and are very receptive. As a result of the preaching of the gospel, a number of these Waraos have been saved and are in fellowship in the assembly.

A major part of our work consists in teaching the word of God to the children. In these Bible classes, which are held in different places nearly every day of the week, we strive to teach the children verses of scripture and the basic truths of salvation. We pray that God will use His word to bring the light of the gospel into many families through their children.

Catholicism was in our country much before the gospel reached our shores, so it still has a steady grasp on the people. Nearly all other religious groups that exist have their representation here. Nominal evangelicals abound and are tirelessly propagating a different gospel. All this represents a challenge for us to spread more fervently the truth of God’s word.

There is a vast need to take the gospel to the hundreds of small communities scattered along the Delta. This has been our desire, but we have been hindered by the need to maintain the work here in the city, and also by the difficulties of travelling by river to reach these remote places.

‘Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of God may have free course, and be glorified’, 2 Thess. 3. 1.