February 2, 2007
Future of Missions in Venezuela
It is official. Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan windbag democratically elected leader, is now a dictator. The charade is off. The gig is up.
In a move that eerily parallels Hitler's power grab in 1933 (it even has the same name), Chavez has, in effect, made himself the supreme leader of Venezuela.
The following is some insight from Mission Network News about the future of missions in that country:
Mission Network NewsVenezuela (MNN) -- Venezuela's Congress granted President Hugo Chavez sweeping new powers, creating a thinly-disguised dictatorship. He now has the authority to legislate by decree and bring to life his vision of a more egalitarian socialist state. That's raised a few alarms among mission agencies in the country, given Chavez' progressive angst against them.
Trans World Radio's Jim Munger says many mission agencies are taking a 'wait and see' approach over continued work. Many are voluntarily pulling people out of the tribal areas and away from project zones and placing them in neighboring lower profile areas. Yet, despite a grim pattern, there's still hope.
Munger says China proved that. The Bamboo Curtain was tightly shut against missionary influence for decades, but when the Curtain parted, it revealed an already healthy and growing church network.
The same holds true for countries like Cuba and Venezuela. It all boils down to trust in God's plan. "In Cuba, which Chavez has openly stated that he is using as a pattern, in the last 15 years, we've seen a huge explosion of churches and Christian work in that country, with very few missionaries in from outside. So, God is sovereign and He can work, even though we can't send missionaries in."
Missionaries--like myself--who serve in neighboring Latin American countries need to take note. Hugo Chavez' ambitions go far beyond venezuela, as his meddling in our region proves. He is a dangerous man, on an evil mission.
The positive focus of the article is also good to bear in mind. God is in control. "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." And the edification of His church does not depend on who is in political power.
Posted by Andrew on February 2, 2007 7:49 AM.
Comments
Posted by: joeblogs at February 3, 2007 9:32 AM
Unfortunately, I fear you are not alone.
Posted by: Andrew at February 3, 2007 10:17 AM
Sometimes you think Pat Robertson should be president- he would have had Chavez assassinated.
However, unlike Robertson, I am a Christian first and a citizen of the USA second (and one day a citizen of Brazil- Lord willing). We do not need to seek his death.
Let God work in His sovereign way to deal with the situation. Where there is persecution the church grows- remember the old quote from Tertullian, "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." It is unfortunate, but true.
May God protect His remnant in Venezuela.
Posted by: pregador27 at February 6, 2007 10:24 AM
I agree.
Just because God is sovereign does not mean we should not speak out against tyrants like Chavez. Christians should be vocal against evil wherever it is found.
Posted by: Andrew at February 6, 2007 11:35 AM
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Thanks for the information, I was unaware of Hugo Chavez before.