West Venezuela: Church draws many believers during city evangelism impact

Thousands gather at the Palacio de los Eventos in Maracaibo, Venezuela, to attend evangelistic series Mar. 1-22, 2014.  More than 1,200 new members joined the church as a result of the city impact efforts. Images courtesy of West Venezuela Union.

April 11, 2014 – Maracaibo, Venezuela…David Buenaño/IAD Staff

Evangelist Alejandro Bullon speaks to thousands on God’s triumphant grace at Palacio de los Eventos in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Seventh-day Adventist leaders in West Venezuela are rejoicing after local evangelism efforts drew thousands of people at the Palacio de los Eventos in Maracaibo for an evangelism impact event last month.

From the start of their big city campaign, which took place Mar. 1-22, more than 8,000 people received Bible studies in a city with more than 2.8 million inhabitants, organizers said.

Adventist Evangelist Alejandro Bullon culminated the city effort with a series of messages on God’s triumphant grace. The evangelistic campaign was streamed live over the internet and resulted in some 1,200 new believers joining the church and some 3,000 more interested individuals who are currently in Bible studies.

Pastor Toala said the church is planning to organize a life and hope center in April there in Maracaibo.

The efforts fall under the urban evangelism plan in the region, which involved the work of more than 30 pastors and 70 laypersons. They led in visitations and small-group ministries and preached in congregations during the previous weeks and months, according to Pastor Fernando Toala, personal ministries director for the church in West Venezuela.

“Our emphasis in this effort is to organize a life and hope center at the end of April to focus on presenting the message of salvation to the urban community here,” said Toala. Toala said the center will offer culinary classes, family counseling and therapy, as well as many other services for the community.

Toala said the church is doing its part in sharing the hope of a better life in Jesus. “The people of Venezuela need to cling to a greater hope right now more than ever and we are seeing the work of the Holy Spirit touch the lives of many, so we are thankful to be part sharing the hope that is only in Christ Jesus.”

The West Venezuela Union, headquartered in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, oversees 512 churches with more than 143,000 members.

For more information on the Seventh-day Adventist Church in West Venezuena Union, visit unionvenezolana