A special day of fasting and prayer will be held in Colombia Dec. 14 on behalf of a Seventh-day Adventist pastor who was kidnapped in the country more than three months ago. 

This year the church in Colombia has suffered six kidnappings, according to Jose Rojano, communication director of the church in the region. Several have been released.

“We ask all Adventists around the world to join us in prayer for the release of Pastor Cardona and our situation in Colombia,” says Eliseo Bustamante, president of the church in Colombia.

Cardona, who pastored a church of 800 members in Uraba, was abducted in August while traveling in his car with his family. He was also joined by pastor Jacob Rodriguez and his family, who were traveling in a separate car. Guerrillas surrounded both cars and took pastors Cardona and Rodriguez, leaving their families behind, and taking 20 other people as well. Rodriguez’s automobile got stuck on the rough road, and the guerillas freed him, but kept Cardona.

“We have evidence that Pastor Cardona is alive,” Rojano says. “He sent a letter to his wife through another victim who was released. In the letter, he pleaded for help to be released.”

“No request for ransom has been made for his release,” says Rojano. “We believe they are keeping him for an exchange later.”

Rojano explains that guerilla groups continue to resort to kidnapping as a form of financing their war, and that, unfortunately, church members have been affected.

“The church at a national level is being cautious,” Rojano says. “Local administrative leaders are convinced that they cannot access certain conflict areas because of the dangerous situation. Pastors and members are asked to be cautious.”

There are more than 197,000 Adventists worshiping in 847 churches in Colombia.