Faith
Christians Risk Everything to Save Neighbors After Venezuela Tragedy
Faith Facts
- Devastating back-to-back earthquakes killed at least 4,490 people in Venezuela, with thousands more homeless, injured or missing
- Christian relief workers are digging through rubble with bare hands, praying with survivors, and risking their own lives to serve earthquake victims
- Despite devastating losses in their own communities, Venezuelan churches have baptized eight new believers while serving in disaster zones
Digging through the remains of collapsed buildings, Christians in Venezuela searched for survivors after back-to-back devastating earthquakes shook the troubled South American nation. What they found tested their faith—but also revealed God’s power to bring hope from tragedy.
José Antonio Quinones, who ministers for a Church of Christ in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, described the heroic efforts of his fellow believers. His sons and other church members traveled north to La Guaira, a city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, where the damage is severe.
“Many of them, including my two sons, are working with their bare hands moving stones and debris,” Quinones said.
“The pharmacies in La Guaira were looted, so supplies aren’t readily available,” Quinones said.
The late-June earthquakes followed more than a decade of economic and political turmoil in Venezuela. More than 7 million Venezuelans have left the country since 2014, and those who remain struggle with unemployment and rising crime rates. Now, on top of these ongoing trials, the nation faces one of its darkest hours.
The quakes killed at least 4,490 people, according to numbers from Venezuela’s government at press time. Thousands more are homeless, injured or missing.
Members of Churches of Christ are among the dead, including six of 12 Christians who recently planted a new church in the La Llanada neighborhood of La Guaira, Carlos León told ministry partners. León, a minister in San Antonio de los Altos, Venezuela, is working on relief efforts in La Guaira and its neighboring state, Miranda.
As the tremors and aftershocks subsided, the disaster continued to claim lives—even among relief workers. Joaquín Rodríguez, a minister and one of the leaders of the La Guaira Church of Christ, suffered a heart attack and died after working for three straight days.
“He was helping others and looking for survivors,” said Germán Chirinos, a minister in Falcón state in northwest Venezuela. “Some brothers told me that they prayed together with him, and while he was driving, he died.”
Rodríguez “was a humble man with a big heart,” Chirinos said, adding that the minister was “very concerned and committed to the church in La Guaira.”
At least four other members of the La Guaira church are among the dead, Chirinos said. The loss has been devastating, but believers are pressing forward with the work of the Gospel.
Casualties weren’t confined to the coast. In San Antonio de los Altos, about 30 minutes south of Caracas, church members were meeting for a Wednesday night Bible study when the quakes began, León said. They prayed quickly before taking the stairs out of the building and helping others.
Church member Adela Maqueda and her granddaughter perished when a wall collapsed on top of them, León said. Another church member suffered a skull fracture. Friends carried him on a bicycle to the nearest hospital.
In Caracas, at least two church members died, minister H. Jose Silencio said. The losses continue to mount, yet the Christian community refuses to surrender to despair.
“The situation is critical,” Silencio said. “There are many dead, many injured and many missing. Many people have died in the rubble, and many survivors are left without hope.”
Helping with ‘the Lord’s loving hands’
León and other church members, including fellow ministers Diego Orea and José Bello, are coordinating relief shipments and serving quake victims in Miranda state, La Guaira state and the city of La Guaira. Silencio and others are serving quake victims in Caracas.
Nonprofits associated with Churches of Christ, including Healing Hands International and One Kingdom, are collecting funds and organizing relief shipments for Venezuela. Great Cities Missions, a ministry that plants Churches of Christ across the Latin world, also is collecting for Venezuela aid.
Congregations across Venezuela are collecting funds and supplies for relief efforts, despite their own needs. Chirinos applauded church members who work tirelessly to help the earthquake victims.
“They are doing an amazing job,” Chirinos said. “They just travel every day carrying supplies and food, connecting with the people in tents, praying and preaching to them—and they’ve even baptized some of them, too. I consider them as our Lord’s loving hands spreading not only his Word but his love.”
In La Guaira, relief efforts have resulted in two new mission points, León said.
“One is in Los Corales, where six people have already been baptized, and another in Naiguatá, where two have been baptized.”
‘There’s mourning, but there’s hope of something beyond’
As they begin the long task of rebuilding their lives, earthquake victims take comfort in the divine promise of peace amid suffering, León said. The Christian response to this disaster demonstrates what faith looks like when everything else has been shaken.
He sees God “in the peace that we have. … In spite of the difficult situation that we’re living through, we have a peace that passes all understanding. There’s sadness because of the pain people are suffering, that our brothers and sisters are suffering, and for the loss. There’s mourning, but there’s hope of something beyond.”
For León, the earthquakes in Venezuela call to mind the earthquake Elijah experienced in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, Chapter 19. When the prophet was overcome with grief, God told him to get out of the cave where he had sought refuge.
“An earthquake appeared, but God wasn’t there in either the earthquake or the hurricane-force winds,” León said, “but rather God was in the peaceful and gentle whisper that gives us peace, that gives us confidence.”
For the Venezuelan minister, Christians are called in a time of suffering not to offer easy answers but comfort. This is the ministry of presence—being the hands and feet of Christ in the darkest hours.
León believes that God wants us to “listen to victims and pray with them … cry with them and be there … be there serving them, so they feel our love and our empathy.”
Chirinos thanked his fellow Christians around the globe for their prayers. The body of Christ is proving once again that borders and distance cannot separate believers united in faith.
“The whole congregation, nationally and worldwide, are together in this trying to help any way they can,” the minister said. “So thanks to God and to all of you.”
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Faith Facts
- Alex Kendrick and his brother Stephen are remaking their first Christian film “Flywheel” more than 20 years after its original release
- The remake is being produced in the Philippines with a new generation of filmmakers and cast
- Kendrick warns that Christian filmmakers face spiritual danger when they seek personal glory rather than honoring God
More than two decades after launching their groundbreaking ministry in Christian cinema, filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick are returning to where it all began. The brothers behind beloved faith-based films like “Fireproof” and “War Room” are now overseeing a remake of their very first movie, “Flywheel,” but with a powerful twist that underscores their commitment to raising up the next generation of believers in filmmaking.
This time, the story is being retold thousands of miles away in the Philippines, with an entirely new cast and crew of Christian filmmakers eager to share the gospel through their craft.
The original “Flywheel” was created in 2003 on a shoestring budget of just $20,000 in Albany, Georgia. Despite its humble origins, the film resonated with audiences and laid the foundation for what would become one of the most successful Christian film ministries in modern history. The Kendrick brothers went on to produce several box office hits that have touched millions of lives worldwide.
Now, as the story gets new life in a different culture, Alex Kendrick is using the opportunity to share a crucial spiritual warning with Christian filmmakers and content creators everywhere.
In discussing the remake, Kendrick emphasized the spiritual dangers that come with success in Christian media. He cautioned that believers working in film and creative industries must constantly guard their hearts against the temptation to pursue their own glory rather than God’s.
“We have to resist the urge to make it about ourselves,” Kendrick explained, highlighting the subtle but dangerous shift that can occur when Christians in media begin to focus on personal recognition rather than Kingdom impact.
The decision to empower Filipino filmmakers to remake “Flywheel” reflects the Kendrick brothers’ commitment to mentoring and equipping believers globally. Rather than simply exporting American Christian films, they’re investing in indigenous storytellers who can reach their own communities with culturally relevant but biblically grounded messages.
This approach aligns with the Great Commission’s call to make disciples of all nations, recognizing that effective evangelism often requires local voices and cultural understanding.
The remake also serves as a testament to the enduring power of stories centered on repentance, redemption, and transformation—themes that transcend cultural boundaries. “Flywheel” tells the story of a dishonest car dealer whose life is turned upside down when he commits to living with integrity and honoring God in his business practices.
For Christian filmmakers and content creators, Kendrick’s warning about pursuing personal glory comes at a critical time. As faith-based media continues to grow in influence and profitability, the temptation to prioritize acclaim, awards, and recognition over faithful stewardship can become increasingly powerful.
The Kendrick brothers’ model offers a different path—one focused on equipping others, sharing resources, and ensuring that God receives the glory for any success that comes.
This commitment to humility and servant leadership has characterized their ministry from the beginning, and it continues to guide their work as they expand their influence globally.
As the Philippine remake of “Flywheel” moves forward, it represents more than just a new version of an old story. It’s a practical demonstration of what happens when Christian leaders prioritize raising up the next generation over building their own platforms, and when they recognize that God’s Kingdom work extends far beyond their own projects and productions.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Columbia Theological Seminary President Victor Aloyo Jr. announced his retirement effective end of 2025
- Aloyo has served as president since 2016, leading the Presbyterian institution through significant challenges and growth
- The president cited desire to spend more time with family as his primary reason for stepping down
Columbia Theological Seminary is entering a new chapter as President Victor Aloyo Jr. announced his decision to retire at the end of 2025. The announcement marks the conclusion of nearly a decade of leadership at the helm of the Presbyterian seminary.
Aloyo, who has served as president since 2016, made the first person of color to lead the historic institution. His tenure has been characterized by steady leadership through challenging times for theological education in America.
In his announcement, Aloyo emphasized his desire to prioritize family during this season of his life. The decision reflects the biblical principle of stewarding relationships and honoring the God-given responsibilities of family life, a value deeply cherished in the Christian conservative community.
“Led with wisdom, integrity and pastoral spirit,” colleagues noted in recognizing Aloyo’s contributions to the seminary. His leadership style has been marked by a commitment to both academic excellence and spiritual formation.
Under Aloyo’s leadership, Columbia Theological Seminary has navigated the evolving landscape of theological education while maintaining its commitment to training pastors and church leaders. The seminary has faced the same challenges confronting many Christian institutions in an increasingly secular culture.
The board and faculty praised Aloyo’s dedication to the mission of preparing ministers for service in Presbyterian churches across the nation. His pastoral approach to leadership has been particularly valued during his time at Columbia.
The seminary will now begin the process of searching for Aloyo’s successor. This transition comes at a critical time for Christian theological education, as seminaries across America work to equip the next generation of pastors to lead churches in a culture that increasingly challenges traditional Christian values.
Aloyo’s retirement provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of faithful leadership in Christian institutions. His decision to step back for family commitments serves as a reminder that even in significant ministry roles, believers must prioritize their God-given responsibilities to their families.
The Columbia community expressed gratitude for Aloyo’s years of service while preparing to support new leadership in continuing the seminary’s mission of training faithful ministers of the Gospel.
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Faith Facts
- A U.S. Forest Service officer was initially denied religious accommodation to observe Sunday as his Sabbath but has now secured that right with legal assistance.
- The officer’s request for exemption from Sunday work assignments was contested by his supervisors until First Liberty Institute intervened on his behalf.
- This case demonstrates the ongoing need for federal agencies to honor religious freedom protections guaranteed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
A U.S. Forest Service officer has successfully obtained a religious exemption from mandatory Sunday work after initially being denied by his superiors. The victory came after the officer sought legal representation to protect his constitutionally guaranteed right to religious observance.
The officer, whose faith convictions recognize Sunday as the Lord’s Day, requested accommodation to honor his religious commitment to worship and rest on the first day of the week. Federal employers are required under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide reasonable accommodations for employees’ sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the employer.
Despite these clear legal protections, the Forest Service initially rejected the officer’s request, forcing him to choose between his livelihood and his conscience. The decision placed unnecessary pressure on a dedicated public servant whose religious convictions align with traditional Christian practice observed by millions of Americans.
With the assistance of legal counsel, the officer challenged the denial and ultimately prevailed. First Liberty Institute, a religious freedom legal organization, has been at the forefront of defending Americans whose faith is sidelined or penalized in the workplace.
This case serves as an important reminder that government agencies—like all employers—must respect the religious convictions of their workforce. Sunday observance has deep roots in American Christian tradition, and federal law explicitly protects employees who seek to honor the Sabbath according to their faith.
Religious freedom advocates have noted that cases like this should never reach the point of legal intervention. Reasonable accommodations for Sabbath observance are typically straightforward to implement and reflect the pluralistic values enshrined in our constitutional framework.
The officer’s perseverance in defending his faith demonstrates the courage required to stand firm when religious liberty is threatened. His victory not only secures his own right to worship freely but also reinforces protections for countless other Americans who face similar challenges in their workplaces.
As cultural pressure mounts against traditional Christian values in public life, cases like this underscore the critical importance of vigilant legal defense. Organizations dedicated to protecting religious freedom continue to play an essential role in preserving the rights our Founders guaranteed.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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