Adventists Share 5,000 Missionary Books Across Northeastern Venezuela to Inspire Hope

Residents in several cities thank Adventist volunteers for their engagement and prayers.

October 6, 2025 | Barcelona, Anzoátegui, Venezuela | Daniel Arismendi and Gabriela Becerra, and IAD News Staff

In a coordinated day of community outreach, hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist from the northeastern part of Venezuela distributed more than 5,000 missionary books to public government employees across Anzoátegui, Sucre, and Nueva Esparta on Sept. 19, 2025. The initiative—part of the Northeastern Venezuela Mission’s emphasis—responded to growing concern over emotional and mental well-being in the region.

Teams of pastors, church members, and students visited governor’s offices, city halls, law-enforcement agencies, and banks, offering prayer and sharing literature. The missionary books Living with Hope by Marcello Niek and Bruno Raso, and Hope in the Midst of Chaos by Mark Finley included a QR code linking to Hope Channel Inter-America’s app, connecting readers to follow-up content on faith and wellness.

“It was moving to watch our church family—and students from our Adventist school—invest, support, and pray with more than 2,000 people,” said Pastor Elder Rubio, president of the Northeastern Venezuela Mission.

A Message of Connection

In addition to deliveries to the Governor’s Office and City Hall, volunteers were granted the floor at the city’s Legislative Council to briefly explain the content of the books and why the church was focusing on mental health and hope.

Eneivis Figuera, chief of staff at the Cumaná Mayor’s Office, thanked the team: “We are immensely pleased by your presence. It is a great blessing that you care about us and pray for us.” One employee, Teodelis, called the arrival of the books “a divine answer to a personal prayer I had made that very day.”

Organizers said the theme resonated because many public workers carry heavy personal and family burdens. “I was struck by how many employees asked us to pray for them,” said volunteer Yuly Rivera. The books’ short chapters address stress, anxiety, forgiveness, resilience, and faith, while the QR code allows readers to continue exploring Bible-based content, testimonies, and practical guidance on mobile devices—an important bridge for those seeking help beyond the printed page, she said.

Rubio framed the effort in biblical terms: “Like the Good Samaritan, we stopped to help our neighbor. Jesus tells us in Luke 10:37, ‘Go and do likewise.’” He also underscored the church’s follow-through: “Every book carried a QR code to Hope Channel so people can keep learning and receiving encouragement.”

Prayer, presence, and a plan to continue

Throughout the day, teams paused in lobbies and courtyards to pray with workers and their families. “Our goal was not only to place a book but to be present, listen, and minister hope,” Rubio said. The day’s blend of literature, prayer, and presence was the point. “We saw again that hope is contagious,” he said. “When a simple book opens a conversation and a prayer, God does the rest.”

The Mission plans to expand the initiative next year. “Our members have already committed to impact three additional municipalities in these states,” Rubio announced. Pastoral teams are coordinating with Adventist Possibility Ministries and Family Ministries to connect families who request further support, prayer, or small-group Bible studies.

Gabriel Moncada contributed to this report.