Douglas Torres, Boconó, Trujillo, Venezuela

"Due to safety risks in parts of this area,” the Tripadvisor notice began as I looked up Boconó, Venezuela, “travelers should review the latest guidance and information from government agencies.” I clicked on the notice which read, “WARNING: FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Venezuela.”

As we introduce this month’s Missionary of the Month, I was once again reminded of LOGOI’s focus on equipping, helping, and encouraging national Spanish pastors — right where they live and serve. It has been part of LOGOI’s ministry from the very start and continues to prove wise, effective, and much needed.

Meet Douglas Torres from Boconó, Trujillo in Venezuela. He is a husband, father, teacher, soon-to-be-ordained pastor and director of a Bible center for pastors and leaders in his area. He explains he believed in Jesus when he was 16 and felt the Lord calling him to ministry and at age 18 he went to and subsequently graduated from Rio Grande Bible Seminary in Texas. He continues to love to study God’s Word.

Boconó, with a population of roughly 80,000, is known as the “The Garden of Venezuela” with its beautiful Andean Mountain landscapes, lush valleys, and pleasant climate. It is a historically rich, colonial town that serves as a gateway to the Sierra de Boconó National Park offering great hiking, trout fishing, as well as coffee production.

In addition to his teaching duties at his local church, Douglas also teaches at Boconó Iglesia Bautista Nuevo Amanecer and is a contributing writer for their online ministry called “Volvamos al Evangelio” (Let’s return to the Gospel) which makes us at LOGOI very pleased. “I can say I am very passionate about teaching the Bible and theology,” Douglas says. Then, without any prompting from us, he quotes his purpose statement from Ephesians 4:12 — which is also LOGOI’s purpose statement — “To equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”

Douglas goes on to say, “I am grateful to LOGOI Ministry because in particular it has been a blessing in my spiritual growth, maturing in the ministry, and in biblical teaching and theology.” What a joy to be a partner in ministry with Douglas. While he no doubt faces the struggle to flee Venezuela for a more prosperous life, he is serving right where God has placed him with joy and persistence.

Would you take a moment right now and pray for Douglas? In particular, he asks for prayer that “the Lord will permit me to be faithful and allow me to continue growing as a husband and father. Also, that He will continue to open doors to lead men and women to Jesus and that they will also serve the Lord.”

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