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  In Colombia, churches and Christian leaders have been specifically targeted by Marxist groups belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), particularly those leaders who actively oppose the drug trade and other corruption in the country.
While holding a prayer service on September 4, 2004 the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Obrero, Puerto Asis in southern Colombia was suddenly raided by three masked men who fired into the congregation indiscriminately with automatic rifles. When the attack was over, three believers lay dead and fourteen were seriously injured. The gunmen were able to escape into the darkness. The apparent target, a retired police officer and public official who had recently started to attend the church, was seriously wounded in the attack. It appears that the assailants were members of Colombia's main Marxist rebel group, as pamphlets containing FARC propaganda were found at the church. On December 8, 2005 Father Javier Francisco Montoya was traveling to a religious celebration in a jungle area in northwest Colombia when he disappeared. Further investigation revealed that Father Montoya was shot by the rebels and his body was buried. No reason for the murder was given. Between 1985 and February 2003, at least seventy-two Protestant pastors and thirty-three Catholic priests had been killed. Hundreds of church buildings have been attacked and there have been numerous kidnappings of church leaders. Pastors and youth leaders are especially targeted since their influence on their young people makes it difficult for Colombian Marxist and paramilitary groups to recruit them into their ranks. The rebel groups effectively control large areas of south central Colombia as well as thousands of acres of drug fields. In their areas of control, churches often face curfews. In some areas, public religious activities have been completely banned. Even as insurgent armies have grown to several thousand strong in recent years, Christians in Colombia continue to respond by demonstrating the words of Scripture, being a blessing to those who curse them. Thousands of copies of the book "Jesus - Un Amigo para los Alzados en Armas," a Spanish translation of Richard Wurmbrand's book, "Jesus, Friend to Terrorists," have been distributed in Colombia and, at last report, there had been no negative response to the book. Christians feel that this is the message needed in Colombia; the message of Christ's love and reconciliation for all people. Prayer Requests
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