CRM - Empowering Leaders

Venezuelans call their country a mini-continent because it has a little of everything: jungles, mountains, plains, deserts and beaches. Home of Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, Venezuela is situated in northern South America and is the world’s fifth largest oil producer. Recent increases in revenue from oil exports has been used to for social programs, but in spite of the expansion of such programs, much of the population of Venezuela remains disillusioned. There is no political or social agenda that will satisfy their spiritual hunger. Witchcraft, tarot cards, horoscopes and the occult are a part of life as people seek to satisfy the longing of their souls.

Though Protestant churches have been in Venezuela for a century, the Evangelical presence represents only 5% of a country of almost 27 million. For the past decade, CRM has had a team in Caracas, the capital city. Translated, the name or CRM Venezuela means "Growth, Renewal and Multiplication: of churches and leaders."

Now under national leadership and a part of CRM CoNext, the team in Caracas seeks to come alongside the local pastors and leaders to encourage, train, and equip them to reach their city, country and the world. With a mixture of expats and nationals, team members are involved in a variety of local churches, working to develop leaders through intentional relationships. In addition, training events are offered in the city and a variety of locations throughout the country. The team also works with network leaders, be they pastors, pastors' wives, or worship leaders to provide mutual support and stimulate growth.

These events and efforts all point to a single end: the empowering of the Church in Venezuela to fulfill her role in the Great Commission.

An InnerCHANGE team is also present in Venezuela. Members of the team live and minister in the barrios (slums) of Caracas and community transformation is the heartbeat of their work. Within these barrios, unemployment, broken families, violence, crime, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, the practice of spiritism and witchcraft, proliferate. Beyond evangelism, the team partners with churches and pastors that will transform their neighborhoods. They disciple and empower leaders and small groups to live the gospel in their communities. And they partner with a local missions organization in the preparation of Venezuelan missionaries.

This ministry is a CoNext partner. To learn more about CoNext partners, please click here.