Praying for the Kingdom: Colombia

 

COUNTRY	Colombia
DESCRIPTION	Colombia is plagued by violence, but the government has made progress toward improving security since 2002. A number of paramilitary groups as well as FARC guerrillas vie for power in the southern region of Cordoba, a significant coca cultivation area that is strategically important to the drug trade. Colombia has the world’s second highest number of internally placed people, numbering 3 million. Category: Hostile Nation Religion: Christian 94.4%, Non-Religious 2.4% Ideology: Marxist terrorism (FARC) Head of State: President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon Guerrillas and paramilitary groups target religious leaders who oppose their drug activity. The church is also a target because when guerrillas and paramilitary fighters become Christians, they quit fighting and drain the organizations’ manpower. Many pastors have been assassinated or fled the country. Paramilitary and guerrilla groups have openly committed murders in public streets and on buses. Still, Christianity continues to grow in the country. VOM supports a prison ministry, provides tools to evangelists who serve in hostile areas and prints and distributes Christian literature.
RELATED LINKS	Persecution.com Story - Colombia: Pastor Martyred Persecution.com Story - Colombia: Rebels Kill Widow Persecution.com Story - VOM: 1 Million NT's Mailed BiblesUnbound Operation - Colombia-Stability 3 BiblesUnbound Operation - Colombia-Stability 2 BiblesUnbound Operation - Colombia-Stability 1 Be-A-Voice Prayer Bulletin - Colombia Widow Killed Be-A-Voice Prayer Bulletin - FARC Closing Churches