Posted on 10/13/2009 7:37:07 AM PDT by Liberty1970
Colombia: Pastor Martyred
On Sept. 21, Pastor Manuel was shot and killed by The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas in San Jose del Guaviare, Colombia, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts.
FARC guerrillas made an appointment with Pastor Manuel and his family. “He thought they were going to authorize him to have a church officially, which he had discuss[ed] and asked [for] before,” said VOM contacts. “One of them came in [the house] with the pastor’s wife, Gloria, and his daughter while the pastor was outside. He was shot five times.”
A FARC guerrilla who was in the house with the rest of the family yelled “Make sure that dog stays dead,” referring to the pastor. The guerrillas then shot the pastor again, this time in the neck. Following the shooting, Pastor Manuel’s wife ran outside and cleaned his face. With the help of her children, she dragged his body under a tree. “She ran and got her Bible and, shaking with tears, preached to all those who got near,” VOM contacts said. “[Her] 10-year-old son said ‘mum, don’t worry, dad died for Christ and now he is with Christ.’”
Pastor Manuel and his wife had been pastoring a church in Chopal village, south of San Jose del Guaviare for about eight years. They faced numerous challenges, and many churches in the area had been closed by FARC guerrillas. Pastor Manuel decided to open the church regardless of the threats and risks. In April, the pastor was part of an evangelistic event at which three FARC guerrillas and seven members of the paramilitary militia accepted Christ. Praise God for this family’s faith.
The Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted believers in Colombia by providing Action Packs, support for the widows of martyrs and transportation for pastors so they can share the gospel with FARC and paramilitary guerrillas. VOM encourages you to pray for Pastor Manuel’s family. Ask God to comfort Pastor Manuel’s wife and children. Also pray that Pastor Manuel’s courageous testimony will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.
*Ping*
This is a Ping-List for reports of persecution against Christians. Please message me or reply if you would like to be added.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” Matthew 5:10-11
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...” Matthew 5:44
FARC is the Colombian equivalent of the Weather Underground, the SDS, ACORN, the CPUSA, Black Panthers, MoveON.org, Jeremiah Wright, 000, Van Jones, ...........
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all rolled into one.
My understanding is that FARC is in danger of going the way of the Dodo bird. I hope so. And I pray that many of those in their ranks will realize the futility of violent Marxism and turn to Christ for real hope in this world and the next.
Psalm 116:15
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