What began as compassionate response to an emergency has become an opportunity to share the gospel and strengthen the presence of the Church of the Nazarene in the community of El Guayabo, Venezuela. Following the devastation caused by the earthquake on 24 June 2026 and subsequent flooding, the Venezuela Central District, along with Nazarene Compassion Ministries (NCM), mobilized efforts to assist affected families, delivering humanitarian aid, spiritual support, and hope amid the hardship.
To address the community’s needs, NCM launched a project to assist the most vulnerable through medical clinics and distribution of food and personal hygiene products. Additionally, recreational activities organized for children brought them joy and support in the disasters’ aftermath.
Beyond material assistance, the church recognized this situation as an opportunity to reach out to families, listen to their needs, and share the love of Jesus Christ. And the visits by church members, times of prayer, and discipleship meetings began to evolve into a constant presence in the community, strengthening bonds between families and opening new opportunities to share the message of salvation.
Currently, this ministry regularly supports around 45 children and 24 adults from 13 families in El Guayabo. These gatherings have become spaces where children and adults can learn more from God’s Word, grow in their faith, and find a church community that supports and cares.
One significant fruit of this effort has been the development of a new Church of the Nazarene work in the community. The support and discipleship work have resulted in two active preaching points in El Guayabo, allowing the establishment of a church-plant envisioned to grow into an organized church that provides lasting support to local families.
This development is a testament to how Christian compassionate acts and service can open doors for new people to know Jesus and experience life transformation. The outreach initiatives in El Guayabo also reflect the commitment of the Church of the Nazarene to walk alongside these communities and families during disaster emergencies and the recovery process, including meeting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
What began as bringing aid to families affected by natural disasters continues to bear fruit today through a new community of faith.