Last week, a second Protestant church leader in Colombia was assassinated after a church service. According to the UK-based organization, Solidarity among Christians around the worldLast Wednesday, after leading a service in northern Colombia, two people on motorbikes stopped and opened fire on 28-year-old church leader and preacher Ivan Garcia. Garcia was walking along an unlit street with her 14-year-old stepdaughter and six others when the two gunmen appeared.
Garcia reportedly suffered six fatal gunshot wounds, including two to the head, before his attackers fled the scene. christian post.
A woman standing next to Gracia was also shot in the arm.
Six months before his death, he had married Pastor Nielles, who heads the new rebirth of Christ Church in the village of Garital, in the banana-growing region of Magdalena (Zona Bananera).
Neelles praised her late husband for helping the small church. have an important meaning Increase in number of members7 to 30 dedicated members. She noted that Garcia was a former member of an illegal armed group before returning to the Christian faith, but did not warn of any threats. prior to attack.
“A few days ago, he told me that he is not afraid to teach the Bible.,he It had a new life. He said to me, 'To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ” quoted As you say.
According to Pastor Imis Peñalosa, leader of the Church of Resurrection and Fire for the Nations, which includes Pastor Nielles' church, about a month before the assassination, Garica and Nielles were on their way from Garcia's workplace. He said he heard two gunshots. .
However, they I thought of the shot as Under direct threat, I immediately returned home.
This incident follows the assassination of another Protestant pastor just two weeks ago. as crosswalk heading It was previously reported that Pastor Marlon Lora of the Prince of Peace Villaparaguayan Church left the church on December 29, 2024 with his wife Yullei Rincon and adult daughter Ángela. While eating lunch, he was shot and killed. Restaurant after worship.
The pastor's son Santiago also died from gunshot wounds.
In October last year, Colombia's Ombudsman's Office predicted a 31% increase in religious freedom rights violations, including “discriminatory treatment against churches and religious denominations, and death threats against religious leaders and authorities,” from 2023 to 2024. revealed.
Death threats also increased by 50% from 2023 to 2024.
According to Open Doors International world watch listColombia ranks as the 46th worst country in the world where persecution of Christians is most prevalent.
Related articles: Heartbreaking loss for Columbia church as pastor and family murdered
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Bruce Yuanyue Bi
First publication date is January 16, 2025.
