SOM Latin America
Violent, armed militias and/or drug cartels control many remote regions of Colombia and Venezuela where there is no internet access. Colombia is the second-highest producer of cocaine in the world. (Afghanistan is the highest as of 2019.) After the conclusion of 54 years of civil war in 2017, vast regions are still under-served and unreached with a clean Gospel witness.
In 2009, American missionary to Colombia and good friend Russell Stendal approached David about joining forces with SOM International, which became the umbrella United States office to communicate with USA partners about the vital ministry in war-torn Colombia. The ministry in Colombia is touching the lives of people through Christian radio broadcasting and distributing Bibles and Christian materials. The work has now expanded to the people of Venezuela and other Spanish-speaking nations. Most importantly, there are relationships being built with Latin Americans of all political, religious, and ethnic persuasions as we demonstrate peace and love through faith in Jesus Christ.
Meet Russell, Director of SOM – South America
- Russell authored over 30 books, including editing the Jubilee Bible, in English and Spanish.
- Russell and the team have produced over a thousand radio programs on the Bible, family, marriage, children’s programs, and history.
- He was taken hostage five times by anti-Colombian government forces.
- Russell wrote the book Rescue the Captors while being held hostage for five months in the jungles of Colombia.
- He has consulted with Colombian presidents, generals, and other leaders throughout South America.
- Russell is a veteran Andes Mountains aviation pilot and used planes to parachute hundreds of thousands of Bibles and Christian materials into restricted and hostile zones of the Colombian jungle.
- Russell was nicknamed “The Apostle of Peace” for his influential role in the final Peace Accord in 2017.
Latest News from SOM Latin America
Radio Broadcast and Bible Distribution in Venezuela
Radio Broadcast and Bible Distribution on One of the Most Dangerous Borders in the World The situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate. In the midst of the upheaval we are engaged in distributing a container load of beautiful study Bibles to besieged pastors and leaders. There are many places where the border between Colombia and Venezuela has been closed and we have to be very creative in order to accomplish our task. Last week, several of our co-workers were arrested and accused of taking humanitarian aid across the border, which unbelievably has been criminalized. After several hours in
Lomalinda: A Beautiful Hill by Russell Stendal, Jr.
Lomalinda is a beautiful place! by Russell Stendall, Jr. It’s located in the plains of eastern Colombia, however Lomalinda isn’t flat. Lomalinda translates to “Beautiful Hill” an apt name for this land. The rolling hills are a peaceful contrast from the stubbornly flat land it lies between. Sadly, Lomalinda has not seen peace for the last few decades. It has been smack in the middle of the war that has assailed Colombia for the better part of 50 years. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, Wycliffe Bible Translators found this hidden paradise. They were enticed by the large lake,
Article about Russell Stendal – by Douglas Feavel
Article About Russell Stendal But You Care, Don’t You? When a man’s ways please the Lord. (Proverbs 16:7) The window for openly evangelizing in Colombia, South America, began to violently slam shut in the late 1970s. Farming, which was still the country’s largest industry, became committed to the production of cocaine, marijuana and heroin. Drugs were fast on there way to becoming the dominant factor in the nation’s economy, and shamefully, the primary market was not domestic; rather, it was the United States. Simultaneously, the country’s population experienced severe fractionalizing and headed into anarchy, and things are still the same today. The sociopolitical breakdown consisted
The Lone Ranger by Russell Stendal
The Unquenchable Life (A Study of Acts Chapters 8 – 28) by Russell M. Stendal Introduction I have been called a wide range of derogatory names over the years, even to the extent of being denounced in some sectors as the antichrist (Matthew 5:10-12). One of the more interesting titles conferred on me (and not always intended as a compliment) is that of the Lone Ranger. As this topic continued to reoccur in one form or another I decided to do a little research. According to Wikipedia: The Lone Ranger was named so because the character
Update On Kelly From Colombia
Colombia Update About Kelly Click Here to Listen to Update Kelly's husband Pabel was martyred in 2014 while delivering Bibles to a hostile Colombian Native American region. SOM workers were able to encourage and walk with Kelly during those difficult days and helped her relocate by purchasing land and building a house for her and her two children. SOM continues to partner with her as a bold witness of Christ. Kelly is doing great and very happy. She has recently gotten a job, working part time in a soda plant. Her two children are doing very well and her whole family;
