Colombia's Evangelical churches seek to understand the impact of the earthquake

Evangelical churches in Colombia are seeking to understand the impact of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Monday. While authorities continue with a general assessment of the emergency, the Evangelical Confederation of Colombia (CEDECOL) is trying to determine the situation of its affiliated congregations in the affected areas.

Andrea Pinto, assistant to the director of CEDECOL, said the organization is trying to contact its members to find out about possible damage to churches and communities.

"We are touring the area, calling to find out how our members and churches have been affected, what has happened," he explained.

However, communication difficulties still prevent us from obtaining a complete picture, especially in the Coffee Region and Chocó.

"We are working on it because we have no communication with the Coffee Region and with Quibdó," Pinto said.

Among the areas of concern, she mentioned Cali, Manizales, the Coffee Region, and Quibdó. The CEDECOL representative clarified that they had not yet been able to establish communication with their contacts in Chocó.

"Well, the Coffee Region [...] and the Quibdó area, but we haven't been able to communicate with those from Quibdó, with those from Chocó," he stated.

Evacuations and families who lost everything

The first reports received by CEDECOL indicate structural damage and evacuations in the Coffee Region.

"We know that in the Coffee Region they had to evacuate buildings and they can't return to the buildings because they are at risk, they were cracked and they are organizing camps for people to move there, while we see what happens," Pinto said.

The organization's representative also indicated that some families lost their belongings as a result of the earthquake.

The information is still preliminary and CEDECOL continues to try to establish contact with its congregations to learn the extent of the damage and the needs of the communities.

In Medellín, a church and a family are safe

From Medellín, Pastor Marcelo Ferreri, of the Church of the Brethren, confirmed that both his family and the congregation are safe after the earthquake.

Ferreri explained that, although seismic activity is not unknown in Medellín, the duration of this earthquake was different from what he had experienced previously.

"You get used to it here; it shakes every now and then, but sometimes you don't even notice it," he said. However, this time the shaking lasted for what he estimated to be close to two minutes.

"This one lasted a really, really long time. I think it must have been very close to two minutes," he told Diario Cristiano Internacional .

The pastor noted that the duration of the earthquake raised concerns about the structural integrity of buildings, though he emphasized that the structures in his area of ​​Medellín withstood the tremors well.

"In our area, at least where our church is located, the damage hasn't been as severe; the houses have held up very well," he said.

Ferreri also communicated with members of his congregation through WhatsApp groups and stated that, according to the initial reports he received, most were doing well. "The report I've received indicates that most are fine," he said.

The situation he learned about in other regions was different. Ferreri specifically mentioned the Coffee Region, an area that, according to the reports he received, suffered the greatest consequences. "That area, yes, there are buildings, there are collapsed houses, most of the dead are from there," he recounted.

The pastor also mentioned some safety protocols that people learn to act during an earthquake, although these comments correspond to his personal experience and do not replace the official recommendations of emergency agencies.

Beyond the damage and fear caused by the movement, Ferreri highlighted a spiritual consequence of the experience for his family and his congregation.

"This leads us to trust the Lord more, to cling to him more," he said.

Ferreri confirmed that both his family and the Church of the Brethren are well and remain attentive to the situation in the most affected regions.

In Tuluá, damage and moments of anguish

In Tuluá, Valle del Cauca, Brahian Hernández , commercial manager of Software Redil , recounted the experience he lived through during the earthquake and the impact it had on his family.

"In Tuluá, Valle del Cauca, we experienced something we had never experienced before," he said.

Hernández described the intensity of the movement and noted that one of the aspects that moved him the most was the sound produced during the earthquake.

"The sound of the earth like a deep howl and the force with which the trees moved," he recounted.

He also described the consequences he witnessed in other affected areas. "Severe structural damage, and people whose roofs collapsed on them," he stated.

The emergency also put his own mother at risk. Hernández recounted how part of the roof nearly collapsed on her. "Yes, my mother was saved from having part of the roof fall on her head," he said.

After the incident, the woman was emotionally affected. "She's in a very bad place emotionally," Hernández explained.

The testimony shows the impact the earthquake had on families in Tuluá, one of the towns in Valle del Cauca where the movement was felt strongly.

CEDECOL's assessment continues as communications are restored in the affected areas. The organization is seeking to understand the situation of its affiliated churches and determine where assistance is needed.

The information is still developing and it is expected that new reports from affected congregations, pastors and families may be released in the coming hours.

Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.