For over 50 years, Colombia's countryside has been a war zone. FARC guerrillas, ELN rebels, paramilitaries, and narco-traffickers have turned rural areas into killing fields. Caught in the crossfire: Christian farmers, pastors, and communities who refuse to abandon their faith or their land.
In Colombia's conflict. Millions more displaced. And while a 2016 peace deal officially ended the FARC insurgency, violence continues. Armed groups still control vast rural territories. They still target Christians. They still plant landmines in Christian villages. And those landmines are still killing.
On earth. Decades of guerrilla warfare left rural Christian farming communities surrounded by explosives. Children are killed walking to school. Farmers lose limbs working fields their families have cultivated for generations. Entire villages are trapped, unable to safely leave their homes.
Between 1990 and 2017, landmines killed or injured over 11,000 Colombians. Most victims are rural civilians. Most are Christian farmers.
On earth. Decades of guerrilla warfare left rural Christian farming communities surrounded by explosives. Children are killed walking to school. Farmers lose limbs working fields their families have cultivated for generations. Entire villages are trapped, unable to safely leave their homes.
Between 1990 and 2017, landmines killed or injured over 11,000 Colombians. Most victims are rural civilians. Most are Christian farmers.
To control territory and terrorize populations. Christian communities, known for refusing to cooperate with armed groups or provide resources, were specifically targeted. Pastors who preached peace and refused to bless violence were marked for death.
Armed groups view Christian leaders as threats because they offer moral authority outside guerrilla control. Pastors who speak against violence, refuse to pay "war taxes," or provide sanctuary to displaced families are murdered. Churches are attacked. Congregations are massacred as warnings.
Armed groups view Christian leaders as threats because they offer moral authority outside guerrilla control. Pastors who speak against violence, refuse to pay "war taxes," or provide sanctuary to displaced families are murdered. Churches are attacked. Congregations are massacred as warnings.
Were murdered in Colombia. Shot outside their churches. Killed in their homes in front of their families. Assassinated on rural roads. The killers are rarely caught. The government offers no protection.
Was murdered in 2020 in Cauca by armed men who dragged him from his home and shot him. His crime was ministering to indigenous communities and refusing to abandon his congregation despite repeated death threats.
Was murdered in 2020 in Cauca by armed men who dragged him from his home and shot him. His crime was ministering to indigenous communities and refusing to abandon his congregation despite repeated death threats.
Was killed in 2019 along with his wife and another church member when gunmen opened fire during a church event. The attackers specifically targeted the pastor.
Received multiple death threats for refusing to allow armed groups to recruit youth from his church. He was forced to flee with his family, abandoning his congregation. Many pastors face this impossible choice: stay and die, or flee and abandon their flock.
Received multiple death threats for refusing to allow armed groups to recruit youth from his church. He was forced to flee with his family, abandoning his congregation. Many pastors face this impossible choice: stay and die, or flee and abandon their flock.
Shepherds Shieldoperates demining teams in rural Christian communities. We clear explosives from farmland, churches, schools, and homes. We make land safe so families can return, plant crops, and rebuild lives destroyed by decades of war.
We providesecurity training for pastors in high-risk areas. We teach threat assessment, escape routes, and protection protocols. We supply secure communications equipment and emergency evacuation plans.
We operatetrauma healing programs for believers who've survived massacres, displacement, and the murder of loved ones. Christian communities carry deep psychological wounds. We provide counseling, group therapy, and pastoral care.
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