IN THE heart of Venezuela, a nation once vibrant with promise, the soul of our people now hangs in a precarious balance. This struggle is not merely political: it is spiritual, a deep and urgent call to awaken the conscience of our world. As a pastor and missionary, I have witnessed at first hand the erosion of values and hope among my fellow Venezuelans under the shadow of a government that silences dissent and punishes those who dare to dream of a better future.
The recent disputed election victory of President Nicolás Maduro has cast a dark cloud over our nation. What should be a time for renewal and hope instead fills many of us with despair and uncertainty.
The reality is that some churches and Christians have become entangled in the web of the Maduro government, seduced by inducements that betray the very principles of our faith. These bribes, disguised as aid, come with strings that bind them to a regime marked by corruption and tyranny. In return for their support, these churches receive financial incentives, protection, or resources that are increasingly scarce for those of us who refuse to capitulate.
Yet, for those who stand firm in their faith, which is almost 70 per cent of the churches, the path is fraught with danger. Churches that dare to voice opposition to the government face intimidation and threats. I know pastors who have been harassed and even forced to close their churches because they would not yield to pressure. Our congregations live in fear, aware that speaking out could mean persecution or violence. This oppressive atmosphere stifles the spirit of our communities, silencing those who seek to advocate for truth and justice.
THE fear of speaking out is palpable. The Maduro regime has crafted a culture of silence, in which the consequences of opposition can be severe. This fear permeates every aspect of life in Venezuela, from the pulpit to the dinner table.
This is something that I have experienced first-hand: in past years, I was imprisoned for some months under false charges. My crime was not even opposing the current regime: I was simply doing the work that the Church is called to do. We were doing social work among some of the most destitute in our region, providing food and medicine. This, in itself, was seen as a challenge to the government.
Since my release, I am forbidden to take part in any political activity. I cannot stage any missional events outside that, according to them, would undermine their governance, because I am a dangerous person in their eyes, and they follow my movements closely. Recently, military-intelligence people informed me that I was still being investigated because of my influence in the local and national Church.
Compounding our woes is the exodus of young people, who see no choice but to leave their homeland in search of opportunities abroad. With this new crisis, it is believed that at least two million more people could leave the country. This migration crisis is not just a loss of potential, but a haemorrhaging of the very lifeblood of our churches. As young leaders depart, churches are left without successors to guide them. The fear is that many of our places of worship will be left without shepherds — or, worse, closed altogether.
DESPITE these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of international solidarity. The support of Christians around the world, particularly in the UK, is a beacon of light in these dark times. We need your prayers, your advocacy, and your willingness to speak truth to power. The global Church has a part to play in uplifting the oppressed and holding accountable those who trample on human dignity and freedom.
The Church in Venezuela faces enormous challenges, but we are not without faith. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the gospel, and the belief that truth and justice will prevail. We are calling on our brothers and sisters in Christ to join us in this struggle, to stand with us as we work to reclaim the soul of our nation, and to have the opportunity to make ourselves heard, so that we can freely express what is happening in Venezuela.
Despite the fear, in the past few weeks, people have taken to the streets to ask for justice and transparency, which has created a great deal of hostility in many places. Currently, we are plunged into uncertainty and anxiety, seeing how the government is attacking all those who are asking for transparency and justice in the past electoral process.
In these trying times, the Church must be a sanctuary of hope and a bastion of resilience. We must embody the courage to speak out against injustice, to serve the vulnerable, and to be a voice for the voiceless. Our mission transcends borders and unites us in a common purpose: to build a world where love, peace, and justice reign.
As we face an uncertain future, we draw strength from our faith and the solidarity of our global Christian family. Together, we can confront the challenges before us and strive for a Venezuela where the light of Christ shines brightly in every community. Our hope is unwavering; for we believe that, with God, all things are possible, and the soul of our nation can be restored.
Pastor Gabriel José Contreras (name changed for security purposes) is a church leader from Venezuela. He works in partnership with the charity Open Doors.