{"id":122938,"date":"2026-01-07T16:27:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T16:27:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/?p=122938"},"modified":"2026-03-03T14:14:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T14:14:25","slug":"pastoral-letter-venezuela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/pastoral-letter-venezuela\/","title":{"rendered":"A pastoral letter regarding Anabaptists in Venezuela"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Beloved sisters and brothers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mennonite World Conference calls on all its members to join in prayer for our sisters and brothers in Venezuela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On 3 January 2026 at 2 a.m. local time, the USA bombed military bases in the capital city Caracas and in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. The USA military forces captured Venezuelan president Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and his wife who will be tried with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism. The president of the USA has declared an intention to \u201crun\u201d Venezuela and for USA oil companies to take control of Venezuela\u2019s oil infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Jaime Prieto, a historian and a Mennonite from Costa Rica, this is part of a pattern: violent armies of the United States are invading the peoples of Latin America as they have done repeatedly, starting in the 19th century: Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Cuba, Panama, and now Venezuela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reports from Anabaptists in Venezuela:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They are currently safe in their homes but there is a general feeling of uncertainty; fear of shortages of food, medicines and fuel; and there is some danger of violence in the streets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They request prayer for civic and political stability, including respect for citizens&#8217; rights; and for Christian spiritual resilience, as this translates into an invisible strength to rebuild the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We share with you some words from our member churches in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The national committee of IMCOL (Mennonite Christian Church of Colombia), our member church in the neighbouring country Colombia, has received many refugees from Venezuela over the past years and is involved in joint ministry with the emerging Mennonite churches in Venezuela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-da470a24 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<p><em><em>Our sister church in Venezuela requests prayer:<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><em>For a negotiated settlement in place of a possible second attack.<\/em><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><em>That the violence between pro-government groups and the opposition would be stemmed<\/em><\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>For what happens next to be resolved by the people of Venezuela and not international interests.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We also pray:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>For any victims who may have died or been wounded and their families.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><em>Regarding the implications of this political intervention by the USA for nations and peoples in the world, especially in Latin America<\/em>.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We draw alongside the Venezuelan people during this time of uncertainty, call out to God for true peace and justice that bestows dignity on his people.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>May the love of Christ be our bridge, our hope, and our path to reconciliation.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Conferencia Peruana Hermanos Menonitas (the Mennonite Brethren in Peru) also shares prayers for Venezuela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><em>Firstly, we give thanks to our Creator God and Saviour.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><em>We know how difficult life is in our neighbouring country, Venezuela.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><em>We pray, asking our Lord to end this suffering and that God&#8217;s precious hand provides opportunities for life, joy and celebration in the LORD.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><em>And from now onwards, we place our faith in God that God will change everything for the good of our futures and for the following generations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Epistle of James reminds us that \u201cthe fruit of righteousness [or justice] is sown in peace by those who make peace\u201d (James 3:18). The manner in which we sow seeds matters. Military intervention and attacks are not seeds that will ultimately bring about justice or righteousness.<ins><\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We lament the USA\u2019s decision to use its military might to seemingly fulfill its own agenda in another country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus calls us to love our enemies and not become what we hate. Concerns about one form of rule does not justify the military attack and intervention from another. \u201cWhen we resist evil with evil, when we mirror it, when we lash out at it in kind, we simply guarantee its perpetuation,\u201d says theologian Walter Wink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">We call for your prayers for those in the region who are anxious and suffering. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We pray that the people of Venezuela may assert their right to collectively determine their national leadership<em>.<\/em> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We pray for government leaders around the world to speak and act with courage and love in this moment of conflict. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We also pray for the leaders of the USA, that they would learn to govern with wisdom and justice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>May we acknowledge different perspectives even among our sisters and brothers and continue to live out grace and understanding. May we learn from history and choose the ways of Christ and his peace. As we pray for others, may the Holy Spirit shape our hearts and lead us to action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c[God] shall judge between the nations<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and shall arbitrate for many peoples;<br>they shall beat their swords into plowshares<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and their spears into pruning hooks;<br>nation shall not lift up sword against nation;<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;neither shall they learn war any more.\u201d (Isaiah 2:4)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.<br>In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/general-council\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"480\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small.png\" alt=\"Henk Stenvers\" class=\"wp-image-108562 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 480px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 480\/480;width:200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small.png 480w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Henk-Stenvers-1-Small-400x400.png 400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><em>Henk Stenvers, <\/em><br><em>president, <\/em><br><em>Mennonite World Conference<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Andrew-Suderman20250523IrmaSulistyorini_DSC04915-1.png\" alt=\"Andrew Suderman\" class=\"wp-image-116855 size-full lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Andrew-Suderman20250523IrmaSulistyorini_DSC04915-1.png 600w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Andrew-Suderman20250523IrmaSulistyorini_DSC04915-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Andrew-Suderman20250523IrmaSulistyorini_DSC04915-1-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/600;\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><em>Andrew Suderman<br>secretary,<br>Peace Commission<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/peace-sunday-2025-prayers-and-liturgies\/#prayer\">Prayer for peace in our world&nbsp;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/latin-america\/\" rel=\"tag\">Latin America<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/pastoral-letter\/\" rel=\"tag\">pastoral letter<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/peace\/\" rel=\"tag\">peace<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/prayer\/\" rel=\"tag\">prayer<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/venezuela\/\" rel=\"tag\">Venezuela<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/war\/\" rel=\"tag\">war<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-eyebrow is-style-green-eyebrow\">Urgent prayer &amp; pastoral letters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-124841 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-items category-from-our-leaders category-urgent-prayers tag-cesar-garcia tag-ecumenism tag-pastoral-letter tag-peace tag-prayer\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/joint-ecumenical-statement-on-the-widening-conflict-in-the-middle-east\/\" target=\"_self\" >Joint ecumenical statement on the widening conflict in the Middle East<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-124516 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-urgent-prayers tag-deacons-commission tag-prayer tag-regional-representatives tag-the-caribbean network-commissions network-deacons-commission eventcategory-online-prayer-hour\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/urgent-prayer-cuba\/\" target=\"_self\" >Urgent prayer for Cuba<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-124066 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-items category-urgent-prayers tag-asia-pacific tag-deacons-commission tag-peace-commission tag-prayer tag-urgent-prayer network-commissions network-deacons-commission network-peace-commission eventcategory-online-prayer-hour\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/urgent-prayer-bombing-in-myanmar\/\" target=\"_self\" >Urgent prayer: bombing in Myanmar<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-122938 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-featured-items category-urgent-prayers tag-latin-america tag-pastoral-letter tag-peace tag-prayer tag-venezuela tag-war network-deacons-commission network-peace-commission eventcategory-online-prayer-hour\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-medium-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/pastoral-letter-venezuela\/\" target=\"_self\" >A pastoral letter regarding Anabaptists in Venezuela<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/resources\/pastoral-letters-urgent-prayer-appeals\/\">All letters<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Beloved sisters and brothers Mennonite World Conference calls on all its members to join in prayer for our sisters and brothers in Venezuela. On 3 January 2026 at 2 a.m. local time, the USA bombed military bases in the capital city Caracas and in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. The USA military [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":122939,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[377,294],"tags":[511,250,268,270,1604,1605],"network":[144,142],"eventcategory":[343],"class_list":["post-122938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-items","category-urgent-prayers","tag-latin-america","tag-pastoral-letter","tag-peace","tag-prayer","tag-venezuela","tag-war","network-deacons-commission","network-peace-commission","eventcategory-online-prayer-hour"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A pastoral letter regarding Anabaptists in Venezuela - Mennonite World Conference<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Mennonite World Conference calls on all its members to join in prayer for our sisters and brothers in Venezuela.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/pastoral-letter-venezuela\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A pastoral letter regarding Anabaptists in Venezuela - 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