Adventists Impact Dozens of Communities During Annual Initiative Across Venezuela

Over 20,000 Seventh-day Adventists from Venezuela recently spread some cheer and hope through dozens of outreach activities across two dozen states in the country. Coined “Close to You Venezuela,” the sixth occurrence of the annual event saw young and old take part in spreading joy to many who are affected by numerous challenges.

East Venezuela Union Mission

In the eastern region of the country, members cleaned up the premises of a public hospital, schools, and plazas, prayed for people, donated food and clothing, provided haircuts and free health checkups, took part in distributing missionary books, handed out balloons, and shared messages of hope at traffic lights with their slogan “Smile, God believes in You.”

“We had so many diverse activities, with more than 8,000 members and 1,500 of their friends who joined this special initiative this year out in the streets, cities, and communities,” said Pastor Jesús David Chacón, Youth Ministries director of the East Venezuela Union Mission, based in Caracas. The annual initiative took place on July 7–16, 2022.

In addition, more than 1,500 digital evangelists worked through social media platforms to assist 461 churches that held youth evangelism campaigns during the week, resulting in 100 new communities reached and more than 100 persons baptized, church leaders said.

“What is happening here is that we are showing the love of Christ with action,” said Pastor Janiel Puerta, president of the Central Llanos Venezuela Mission in Guárico State. “Our intention is to establish a new congregation here in Las Americas.”

“We are drawing smiles in each community for the glory of God,” said Pastor Antonio Peña, president of the South Central Venezuela Conference, in Maracay, Aragua.

Church members also presented the eight natural remedies throughout plazas and centers to thousands of onlookers, as well as shared flowers, performed positive mime numbers, and more.

“When you give a flower or a fruit, that gets to the heart of people,” said Joksan Flores, a youth who is taking part in the week’s initiative. “I have also seen how people have been impacted through the evangelistic campaigns.”

Leicy González and Victoria Rodríguez, two adolescents, were among a group that visited the clinic in Maracay, where doctors and nurses welcomed them with big smiles. “What really fills people with joy is that they have felt the presence of God,” said Rodríguez.

Hundreds of copies of the missionary book Hope in the Midst of Chaos by Mark Finley were distributed, as well as other Adventist literature.

Teachers and students at Adventist schools also opened their doors to the community for blood pressure, weight, and glucose levels checks.

In Caracas, hundreds of young people held sporting activities, drama performances, and more.

West Venezuela

More than 15,000 church members across the West Venezuela Union Mission territory distributed 30,000 arepas in hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, children’s homes, and police stations.

In addition, more than 23,000 missionary books were distributed by hundreds of church members throughout their communities and workplaces. More than 50 student literature evangelists from Venezuelan Adventist University took to communities in Lara State with Adventist literature and books.

“The angel of Jehovah accompanied them every step of the way,” said Abimael González, vice president of the student literature evangelist council at Venezuelan Adventist University.

Alexandra Mulano was one of 54 student literature evangelists who went day in and day out speaking to people in homes and on the streets. “I saw that God blessed people and opened doors for us,” she said.

In Acarigua, Portuguesa, groups of young people painted 12 murals across public areas with messages of hope.

More than 4,000 people received medical assistance and medicine at Venezuela Adventist Hospital in Barquisimeto during the week. Church members held vacation Bible school sessions throughout the week, planted dozens of trees, and distributed nutrition kits, clothes, and food to everyone in need. Hundreds of young people took part in sports activities like marathons, walks, races, and soccer and basketball tournaments throughout plazas, fields, and sports centers.

At the conclusion of the initiative, hundreds of church leaders and members gathered for a grand centennial celebration. The event also commemorated the centennial anniversary of the Inter-American Division since the church was organized in 1922, said Pastor Orlando Ramírez, president of the West Venezuela Conference.

“It’s time for God’s people to lift their voice with greater intent to tell the world that Jesus is coming soon,” said Ramírez. “We must be involved more so when the world breaks apart in pieces.” More than 500 persons were baptized at the end of the outreach initiative, which also concluded evangelism efforts by church members months before.

To learn more about the annual “Close to You Venezuela” initiative, go to facebook.com/UVOriental/ and uvoc.com.ve.