In West Venezuela, Church continues to expand amidst challenges
September 13, 2015 | Barquisimeto, Venezuela | Libna Stevens/IAD
Against a background of serious challenges, spiraling inflation and a shortage of basic necessities, the Seventh-day Adventists in Venezuela continues to be faithful and its territory continues to rapidly expand, according to top administrators of the church in the Inter-American Division (IAD).
New leaders of the Yaracuy Mission in West Venezuela pose with IAD President Pastor Israel Leito after the special ceremony Aug. 16-17, 2015. Images courtesy of West Venezuela Union.
IAD President Pastor Israel Leito completed a trip in Venezuela where three new missions were organized in the West Venezuela Union. The church there oversees five conferences, and three new missions.
The new missions, which are located in the states of Yaracuy, Merida and Falcon, were established with new administrators during special ceremonies and meetings held Aug. 16-20, 2015.
Pastor Leito congratulated church leaders for their outstanding work in growing the church and encouraged leaders and members to continue in unity to further the mission of sharing the gospel.
“The opening of a new local field is to testify of Christ with more strength and more intensity,” said Pastor Leito. “This by no means indicates we are dividing the region but reorganizing the territory to continue growing together.”
Growing together has been constant in Venezuela, said Pastor Leito. The country has two unions, one in the east which oversees the large city of Caracas and surrounding cities with five conference offices, and the other in the west, both totaling nearly 300,000 church members in 1,018 churches and growing.
“The church in Venezuela is so faithful,” added Pastor Leito. “Finances are stable and the membership is very supportive of the church, and we are grateful because the environment in the country has not hampered church growth.”
The church continues to operate and tithe continues to be constant, according to Leito, yet the challenge affects the Division because the Bolivar currency has devaluated so much that very little contributions if any can be submitted to the Division and General Conference as before.
During his six-day visit, Pastor Leito witnessed how pharmacies and supermarkets are struggling to supply basic needs.
IAD President Pastor Israel Leito (far left) and new administrators and spouse stand together the new Andina del Centro Mission in Merida, in West Venezuela was established on Aug. 18, 2015.
“The problem is not that they can’t purchase what they need is that there aren’t supplies available most of the time,” explained Pastor Leito. “On the other hand, you and fill up your car with less than $1.00 U.S. dollar.”
At the moment, a pastor’s monthly salary is equivalent to less than $50 U.S. dollars, according to Pastor Leito. “They are able stretch their salary in the local currency but it is not easy to find what they need.”
Many pastors have left whenever they find an opportunity outside of the country posing some problems for the church, he added. “It has affected the church because good leaders are moving away, but we have not seen an exodus of the sort yet,” Pastor Leito added.
“The message of Jesus is still bringing hope in Venezuela, and we are seeing that many people are more responsive to the gospel, so we continue praying for our leaders and members there that they may continue being faithful and led by the Holy Spirit,” Pastor Leito said.
The West Venezuela Union has more than 148,000 church members worshiping in 572 churches and 251 companies.
To learn more about the church in West Venezuela, visit unionvenezolana.org
David Buenaño contributed to this report.