Faith
Spanish Churches Rally as Venezuelan Earthquake Survivors Flee to Europe
Faith Facts
- Church elder Juan Lázaro pivoted his Sunday sermon to address devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, focusing on Romans 8 and God’s sovereignty over suffering
- The Church of Christ on Teruel Street in Madrid is 80% Latin American immigrants, with 15-20 Venezuelan members among the congregation
- Over 1,700 people perished in the Venezuelan earthquakes, including members of Churches of Christ, as the tragedy strikes close to home for Spanish congregations
Juan Lázaro had already prepared his Sunday message when back-to-back earthquakes devastated Venezuela. So the elder of the Church of Christ on Teruel Street in Madrid decided to pivot from the New Testament’s call to evangelize to its affirmation that even life’s blows point to God’s glory.
“I want you to adopt a biblical perspective toward understanding the reason things happen,” Lázaro told the congregation in Spain’s capital, basing his sermon on Romans 8. “Don’t judge by human standards — instead, try to have God’s perspective on what happens in your life, your world, your moment in time.”
Although the South American nation of Venezuela is some 4,390 miles away from Spain, it feels much closer at Teruel Street, which could be called the mother congregation for Churches of Christ in Spain. While Spain was once the colonizer of the Americas, in recent decades the human flow across the Atlantic has reversed, with Latin Americans immigrating to the country for greater economic opportunities.
Lázaro said that the Teruel Street congregation has 15 to 20 Venezuelan members, along with immigrants from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Guatemala and El Salvador. He estimates that 80 percent of the church is from Latin America.
In his sermon, Lázaro urged the congregation to take comfort in Paul’s assurance that the world and its suffering are moving toward redemption.
“What happens is not outside God’s control. God has sovereign control over events, circumstances and people,” he said.
And God is no stranger to suffering.
“The God of the Christian faith is not a God who takes it on himself to explain ‘why’ — why our Venezuelan brothers and sisters have died,” Lázaro said.
Rather, the leader argued, “he is a God who accompanies us with a view toward the pain that has entered human history.” Jesus was a “man of sorrows” who “suffered every kind of brokenness.”
For Venezuelans living in Spain, “distance does not lessen the pain we feel when tragedy strikes our homeland,” said Pedro Andrade, a longtime church planter in Venezuela who recently moved with his wife, Luisa, to Vigo, Spain. The couple works with the growing population of Venezuelans arriving in the port city.
“What makes this situation especially difficult is the feeling of helplessness,” Andrade said. In the past, he and his wife participated directly in disaster response, alongside Churches of Christ across Venezuela. “Today, being so far away, we cannot respond in the same way, and that reality weighs heavily on our hearts.”
Members of Churches of Christ are among the 1,700-plus souls that perished in the quakes. As the Andrades mourn the losses, they find comfort in passages including Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
“Yet even in the midst of loss, we trust that God continues to work according to his purpose,” Pedro Andrade said. “We pray that those who have survived, those who witnessed these events and those whose lives have been spared will reflect on the fragility of life and seek the hope that is found in Christ. … This is a time for the church to demonstrate compassion, generosity and the selfless agape love that reflects the character of our Savior.”
Back in Madrid, Lázaro spoke of the tremendous changes Spain has undergone since Spanish author and evangelist Juan Antonio Monroy, now in his 90s, helped establish the Teruel Street congregation in the 1960s. Protestant Christians at the time felt threatened by Spain’s powerful Catholic Church, with its historic influence on Spanish society. Now 16 Churches of Christ meet in Spain, including five in Madrid.
Monroy later became a pioneering evangelist in Cuba, working with the Herald of Truth ministry. The Teruel Street leader sees today’s immigrant church members as a gift.
“From the perspective of the churches and people of faith, the fact that people from Spanish America have come has enriched Spain from a religious, economic and cultural perspective,” Lázaro said. “The presence of these brothers and sisters … is serving as a great blessing because they come with excitement … and get closely involved in the work of the church.”
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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.
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