Praying for Venezuela
On Jan. 3, the United States conducted military air strikes and invaded Venezuela to capture and arrest president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. While many celebrate the ousting of this president – under whose rule more than 8 million people fled Venezuela’s inflation, political repression, gang violence, and food shortages – it has also left great uncertainty for citizens who remain in Venezuela, including many connected to the Christian Reformed Church.
About 30 congregations in Venezuela have partnered with the CRCNA’s Classis California South (see Banner story). Pastors of these churches report that citizens in Venezuela are being cautious in the days following Maduro’s arrest. Public transportation is halted, many businesses are closed, and people fear reprisals from those who supported Maduro or his rivals.
Christianity Today recently reported that many churches in Venezuela canceled services on the Sunday following Maduro’s arrest. Others saw fewer than typical attendees. The Evangelical Council of Venezuela even issued a message encouraging people to be cautious, pray for discernment, and avoid acting out of fear or anxiety.
“We encourage everyone to limit their exposure to social media and the constant flow of information,” said the statement, signed by executive director José G. Piñero, who is also an ordained minister of the Word in the CRC. “We suggest setting aside time each day to seek informed opinions and dedicating the rest of the time to prayer, fraternal communion, service, and other activities that build the well-being of our families and advance the kingdom of God.”
CRCNA denominational leaders have been in touch with Piñero and others to ask how they are doing, and to see how Christian Reformed members in the United States and Canada can best support and pray for them.
“We are aware of the many difficult years your country has faced, and the uncertainty that the events of January 3 have left you with about the future. We want you to know that we care about you and are standing with you in solidarity,” wrote general secretary Zachary King.
Piñero responded by saying that these expressions of support are a “clear sign of recognition of God’s calling for the Christian Reformed Church to be a global family. We deeply value these gestures of accompaniment. In these moments of great uncertainty for Venezuela, your words of grace and solidarity are a balm to our spirits.”
Piñero added that notes from the CRCNA will be sent to the congregations across Venezuela to be read publicly. “Knowing that they have the support of their international family will be of great encouragement to our brothers and sisters,” he said.
The notes from the denominational leadership also expressed support for Venezuelan migrants now living in the United States. Many of these people are also living in uncertainty due to changes in U.S immigration policy and enforcement in the past year.
“We pray for Venezuelan migrants spread throughout the world, especially in the United States,” wrote King. “We lament the way that many Venezuelan immigrants have been treated in the United States, and we will encourage our CRCNA congregations to display love and compassion toward all immigrants in Christ’s name.”
“Thank you for encouraging the church to show love and compassion toward Venezuelan immigrants,” Piñero responded. “Your unity strengthens us.”
Rev. Christian Sebastia, pastor of Carismah Church in Katy, Tex., which is home to many immigrants from Venezuela and other Latin American countries, agrees with this sentiment. He recently posted a statement on the Network encouraging CRC members to pray.
“We call the church to pray for Venezuela with sobriety, to pastorally accompany those who carry deep wounds, and to remain firm in a faith that is not dragged by headlines but anchored in the truth of Christ,” he wrote.
It remains uncertain how long the U.S. will be involved in Venezuela’s governance, or what the economic and political future of that country will be. Pastors such as Piñero in Venezuela and Sebastia in the U.S. will continue to shepherd their congregations throughout these challenging times. Please join them in prayer.
For continued opportunities to engage in justice-centered prayers that address this issue and many others, sign up for weekly Do Justice Prayers. In addition, reach out to Thrive ([email protected]), the CRCNA’s congregational support ministry, for additional immigration guidance and discernment toward faithful next steps your church can take in offering a moral response at this time.
