Pedro, an entrepreneur in Colombia, has built a thriving business servicing equipment for the petroleum industry. At age 48, he trusted Christ as his Saviour when Pastor Freddie Nieto established a church in Pedro’s hometown of Rivera and witnessed to him. Since his conversion, serving God has become his life’s passion.
Ten years ago, Pedro fulfilled a God-given vision to buy land in rural Huila state and to establish a farm where people could enjoy nature and connect with God. With his own funds, he built a Christian camp, a three-story dormitory, a petting zoo, which area families and school groups can enjoy, and a round gazebo where weddings are held.
In June 2025, 85 campers, from the 15 churches that were started by Pastor Freddie Nieto, experienced a week of spiritual renewal at La Granja De Pedro (Peter’s Farm). Away from the distractions of life, these teens breathed the fresh air of the countryside and focused their attention on knowing God and hearing His voice. Through the preaching of Pastor Fabio Betancourth, director of La Luz Latina (CRI’s Spanish radio network), 5 campers were saved, and over 60 teens dedicated their lives to serve God. In similar fashion, 15 pastors became very interested in establishing a network of Christian radio stations in Colombia. One pastor found an existing station in a small town about one hour from the capital of Bogota (13 million people). If that station could be moved closer to the center of population, it would be worth purchasing. Pastor Betancourth and the La Luz Latina (LLL) partners are continually seeking to expand their influence by adding existing stations to the 24-hour network and by holding crusades in the areas of Central and South America where La Luz Latina can be heard.
Colombia has endured 6 decades of violence, as rebels and cartels vie for control of the multibillion-dollar cocaine industry; 450 thousand people have been slaughtered, and 8 million have been displaced. If history is any indicator, the new leftist president, Gustav Pedro (a former guerrilla himself), will fail to secure peace with his policy of negotiation and appeasement. Colombian leaders will have no answer for their bleak future.
Colombian Christian youth who spread the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ are a breath of fresh air in their spiritually barren land. God bless the pastors who faithfully guide these young people in their walk with God.
LIBERIA Tappita
Tower Assembly Begins
After 8 years of prayer, a 200-foot radio tower is finally being erected in Tappita, Nimba County, near the Côte d’Ivoire border, 224 miles from the capital of Monrovia. Technicians Gene Sharp and Andy Chafa are planning to install the rest of the radio station equipment by January 2026.
LIBERIA Monrovia
A Great Door . . . Many Adversaries
Blessed Hope Baptist College (BHBC) in Monrovia, directed by Dr. Dahn Demey, has graduated 9 men in the Pastoral Theology program. Three of these new graduates came as a direct result of Liberty Radio, CRI’s 20-year-old Christian station.
Congratulations to Augustin Tolber, Tobias Mombo, and John Sankey (a policeman). Forty students, including 3 radio staff members, have enrolled in college for the summer semester.
URGENT PRAYER
The Liberian government has closed down Blessed Hope Baptist College and 21 other institutions of higher learning until exorbitant $15,000 “accreditation fees” are paid. BHBC is presently a satellite of an accredited U.S. Bible college. At the current tuition rate of $150 per student per year, BHBC would need 3 years’ tuition just to pay the accreditation fee. This Satanic attack is designed to prevent pastors from getting a thorough Bible education. Please pray for God to meet this need, so that the training of pastors continues uninterrupted.
SIERRA LEONE Moyamba Junction
July 2025
Missionary Aaron McCullough and a team of nine other volunteers traveled to Moyamba Junction, Sierra Leone, to meet a container of ministry supplies. They will begin working on the radio station and an orphanage for Pastor Vamboi. The health and safety of the volunteers is of utmost concern. Please pray for God’s hand to direct every part of their three-week trip.
George Zarris
Christian Radio International
