Venezuela: Church mourns tragic death of employee

April 12, 2013 – Guayana, Bolivar, Venezuela…East Venezuela Union/IAD Staff

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Venezuela is mourning the tragic death one of its auditors this week. Rodny Jose Emmons Escobar was killed during an apparent robbery the night of April 10 at the Southeast Venezuela Conference office in Puerto Ordaz. He was 33.

Rodny Emmons was an auditor for the East Venezuela Union in Caracas, Venezuela. He was killed on Wednesday at age 33 during an apparent robbery at night while working at the Southeast Venezuela Conference office in Puerto Ordaz. IAD file photo

Emmons was employed as an auditor of the East Venezuela Union, one of two major regional headquarter offices in Venezuela.

“This is a really painful time for us here,” said Pastor Josney Rodriguez, president of the church in East Venezuela. “He was someone who was totally surrendered to God and His work and we cry out with the family for this loss.”

Emmons had been appointed as auditor of the East Venezuela Union in August of 2012.

“During his short time with us, he stole our hearts with his service and commitment to God. We cling to the blessed hope to see Rodny again when Jesus comes,” added Rodriguez.
According to local news reports, police are searching for suspects.

Emmons was born in Caracas, Venezuela on July 22, 1979, to missionary workers Jose Emmons and Isabel Escobar. As a second-generation missionary, Emmons moved with his family throughout Venezuela and studied at Richard Greenidge Adventist Academy. He graduated with a business degree from Santa Maria University in 2001.

From 2002 and on, Emmons worked as an administrator at Adventist Sierra Maestra school as an auditor for the East Venezuela Mission, a general manager at the Home and Health Education Center in Venezuela Antilles Union, and treasurer of the East Venezuela Conference.

Emmons brilliantly fulfilled his functions in the financial area while always exhibiting enthusiasm in several ministries, church leaders said. He worked with the youth and contributed to pursuing the purchase of the new offices of the East Venezuela Conference.

Emmons is survived by his wife Ana Cecilia; his two-year-old daughter Kimberly Nicole and seventh-month-old daughter Stacy Alejandra; his parents Jose Emmons and Isabel Escobar; siblings Randy and Sandra, as well as several nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will take place at the El Paraiso Adventist Church in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday, April 13, followed by a burial service at Guairita Cementary.