
South Bolivar Venezuela Mission
Photo courtesy of South Bolivar Venezuela Mission.
South Bolivar Venezuela Mission
By Jaime Rojas
Jaime Rojas Rabelo, who holds a Masters in Ministry with Youth Emphasis, is an administrator and a Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor with 18 years of pastoral experience. He has served as a church pastor, youth leader, and evangelist. Pastor Rojas is married to Irina.
First Published: September 26, 2021
South Bolivar Venezuela Mission is one of eight fields of the East Venezuela Union Mission which is part of the Inter-American Division.
Territory and Statistics
The mission’s territory comprises the municipalities of El Callao, Gran Sabana, Roscio, and Sifontes in the state of Bolívar. It has 53 churches and 25,101 members in a population of 101,151. Its headquarters is located at Final Calle; Cabaru, Edificio Misión Venezolana de Sur; Casco Central de Santa Elena de Uairén; Santa Elena de Uairén, Estado Bolívar; Venezuela.1 It shares borders to the north with the state of Delta Amacuro, to the west with the municipality of Piar, to the east with English Guyana, and to the south with Brazil.
The official language of the region is Spanish, but four other indigenous languages are spoken by diverse ethnic groups, especially in Sifontes and Gran Sabana. South Bolivar Venezuela Mission covers a territory with a rich cultural heritage and lavish flora and fauna. By 2019 South Bolivar Venezuela Mission had four zones, 16 districts, 48 organized churches, 29 organized groups, 445 small groups, a boarding school, three radio stations, a youth campground, and a team of 16 pastors and ministers that help advance church growth in the territory.
Institutions
Gran Sabana School was founded by Pastor Rufino S. Arismendi, and it officially opened on October 8, 1979. The idea of an Adventist school in Gran Sabana came from a revelation from the indigenous grandparents of Comunidad Indígena Maurak. They spoke of a bright light on the hill where the school is located now, which was interpreted as a message from God to establish an Adventist educational institution that would shine with the message of the gospel. The school started with 34 boarding students and a staff assigned by East Venezuela Conference: Samuel Lott as director and teacher; Aquiles Pino as dean and teacher; Elizabeth de Pino as dean, nutritionist, and teacher; and Pastor R. S. Arismendi as coordinator. The institution’s motto is Mano, mente, y corazón, “Hand, Mind, and Heart.” In June 2019 the school had an enrollment of 165 students, 30 of whom were boarding students, along with teachers, workers, and directors who live on the premises.2
Origins
The story of how the gospel entered the territory begins in the 19th century. In 1839 and 1840, two indigenous tribes, the Arekuna and the Pururuare, started a dispute over the occupation of the land in Gran Sabana, and they threatened to start a war. An Indian chief named Saimán, who was from another tribe and had nothing to do with the conflict, tried to be a mediator, but the situation reached a level where nothing could reconcile the dispute. Therefore, Saimán left the place with his tribe to settle in Guyana. When Saimán died, his son, Jeremías, or Seremada in the Pemón language of the tribe, assumed the leadership role. In 1889 Seremada returned to Venezuela, settling at the foot of Mount Roraima.3
Around 1890 Apiu, an Indian chief, received visions that would mark the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s entry into Venezuela and, specifically, the territory of South Bolivar Venezuela Mission. Elders from many communities told stories of how, while having a vision, Indian Chief Apiu repeated the word Auká (glory in the Pemón language) three times. His name was subsequently changed to Auká. In Auká’s vision an angel gave him specific, precise instructions for the lifestyle he and his people should live: Abandon polygamy, keep a clean home and body, and keep the Sabbath holy. The angel informed him that his people would soon meet a white man with a black book that would confirm everything he had said.
That vision was shared with Seremada, who was Auká’s contemporary. Their two tribes began practicing what they had learned from their ancestors and from Auká’s visions, and they reformed their way of life in ways that differed greatly from nearby tribes.4 Miners who traveled through the area saw their unusual way of life and informed the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Guyana of the indigenous tribes who practiced a similar lifestyle to that of the Church’s members. Impressed by the news, the superintendent of British Guyana Mission, Pastor Ovid Elbert Davis, planned to visit the tribe and confirm this.5
In 1911 Pastor O. E. Davis finally arrived at the Gran Sabana indigenous land after having tried unsuccessfully the year before. From Guyana he traveled to Mount Roraima and found the tribe led by Seremada. On the third day after his arrival, he met the chief and the natives who had been waiting for this white man for more than 15 years. They started singing hymns that Chief Auká had taught them. Sadly, Pastor Davis contracted malaria and soon died alongside the indigenous people. His body was buried at the foot of Mount Roraima.
A few years passed, and only rumors remained of an indigenous tribe who sang hymns at the foot of a mountain. A few years later, Curazao Mission missionaries, W. E. Baxter and C. B. Sutten, arrived at a village. They met a boy who told them in English that he wanted to be a good person and he started singing a hymn. Moments later, Chief Jeremias’s son appeared with a letter from Pastor O. E. Davis and a list of 100 native people who had agreed to live a good life.6
In March 1927 two American missionary couples, Cott and Christian and their wives, arrived from Georgetown, Guyana. Mrs. Christian became sick, and this couple had to leave; for a few months, her husband continued his work until they were transferred elsewhere. For more than eight years the Cotts continued working and established Adventist missions at various communities such as Luepa and Kamoirán. In Akurimá they established the last Adventist mission before they were driven out by the Capuchins. What is now known as Santa Elena de Uairén was established in that place in a small community at the foot of Mount Roraima named Arabopo.7
As the years went by the Pemón natives faced difficulties caused by persecution, so they migrated to Brazil and Guyana so they could follow their religious beliefs. For a few years there was no knowledge of Adventist natives in the area. In 1957 a mining industry manager who traveled from the Apoipó community to an Adventist clinic in the capital, informed the clinic staff of the native religious community and asked that they be taken care of. By August 1957 a group of pastors (Fernando Retzer, president of Columbia-Venezuela Union Mission; Arthur Ray Norcliffe, president of East Venezuela Mission; and Nathaniel García, director of Caracas Clinic) were sent to visit the community. The territory was eventually added to East Venezuela Mission to be served by its district pastors. The mission sent Antonio Pereira as a missionary to live with the natives. Pereira organized the first Gran Sabana district. Later Domingo Miolli was sent to live in the territory and help the natives live better lives by teaching them agriculture. Later still Pastor Rufino Arismendi was sent as a missionary, and he dedicated many years to work among the native brethren, establishing many new churches in villages. He also contributed to the establishment of Adventist education in the area and the development of Gran Sabana’s Colegio Adventista Colgransa. Pastor Arismendi stayed a few years to lead the district.8
Events that Led to Official Organization of South Bolivar Venezuela Mission
After many years, Lloyd Henrito, a local native pastor with a theological education, was assigned to the territory to officially establish an Adventist church in Gran Sabana, but financial issues delayed the project. In 2000 another opportunity arose, and Pastor Humberto Orjuela was assigned to the territory. Pastor Orjuela established a mission office in Santa Elena de Uairén. Limited financial resources did not allow the office to stay there, and it was moved to the city of Upata and again to Puerto Ordaz. This effort resulted in the organization of Southeast Venezuela Mission with the purpose of taking care of church membership in Gran Sabana.
In 2013, at its yearend meetings, East Venezuela Union Mission voted to name Pastor Jaime Rojas as director of the South Venezuela Region, with Pastor Misael García as secretary, and Fernando Fernández as treasurer.9 On February 3, 2014, the South Venezuela Region celebrated its opening program by establishing its headquarters in Santa Elena de Uairén. In 2014, at the East Venezuela Union Mission meeting, it was voted to change the status of South Venezuela Region from “region” to “mission,” reelecting its administrators.10 In 2015 the construction of new administrative offices began, which achieved a long-held dream of an administrative presence in Gran Sabana to better care for church members. Offices located closer to Adventist members provided the opportunity to care for local indigenous brethren in their separate communities. As a result, the union board decided to create this new territory. South Bolivar Venezuela Mission began with 49 churches, 20,088 members, one boarding school, and three FM radio stations. The first administrators for South Bolivar Venezuela Mission were Pastor Jaime Rojas as president, Pastor Misael García as executive secretary, and Fernando Fernández as treasurer.
Efforts to Fulfill the Mission
The Adventist Church grew rapidly in membership and finances in the South Bolivar Venezuela Mission territory, and organizing new districts became a necessity. In 2015, after a territory evaluation, it was decided to reorganize the Gran Sabana district and create a new district.11 In October of the same year, a new district was created.12
Many changes occurred because of the growth of the mission’s membership, finances, and organization. It had begun with two districts in 2014; by 2015, it had nine organized districts. It currently has 16 districts in four different territory zones. The territory has 16 pastors and ministers to serve the church membership.
The mission has trained indigenous laypeople and evangelists to serve communities permanent pastors would have difficulty accessing. The mission also continues to develop programs to preach the gospel to communities of non-believers in their own languages.
Evangelistic programs in the territory are made with financial donations from the mission and especially from many church members who understand the importance of preaching the gospel. The mission has always had financial and manpower support from the East Venezuela Union Mission to assist in caring for church members’ needs.
Today the health message is still being delivered through practical and educational health workshops, lifestyle seminars, and support for educational programs. This is done as an evangelistic strategy and to continue the legacy of the original message received by the Pemón people. It is possible to better care for church member and to fulfill the Church’s mission due to the mission headquarters being located at the center of Gran Sabana.
When we look to the past, we realize God’s great blessings to people in the South Bolivar Venezuela Mission territory. God allowed the indigenous people to learn Bible truth through Chief Auká’s vision. The Pemón people have been blessed to receive the gift of music with which to worship and praise the Lord. They naturally have good ears and voices for music. Music is used effectively to reach many indigenous communities and local people.
South Bolivar Venezuela Mission’s ideals are expressed in its mission, vision, and values:
Mission: Glorify God and, under the Holy Spirit’s influence, lead each believer to experience a personal and transformative relationship with Christ, training them as disciples to share the eternal gospel news with all people.
Vision: Prepare each member to be ready for God’s kingdom.
Values: Give glory to God with integrity, respect, excellence, humility, compassion, justice, dedication, unity, and lifestyle change.
Recent Events in Territory
The mission has built its official headquarters, a modern building unique to the region. Construction started in the midst of an economic crisis; nevertheless, the project continued. Now it stands as a monument to glorify God, and it will soon be inaugurated and dedicated to the Lord.
The mission’s territory is rich in its indigenous population’s culture, lifestyle, working manners, and ways of supporting each other. In 2019, due to social and political conflicts, a large number of Adventist indigenous communities migrated to Brazilian territory, which caused them to abandon their birthplace, home, and agricultural and mining work. Therefore, church membership has dwindled in those communities.
Challenges to Fulfilling Mission - Growth Perspectives
It has been more than 100 years since the day God allowed the indigenous people in this territory to learn the message of salvation. The message has continued to be preached, but has not yet reached many places. Pastors and church members are uniting to share the message in this unreachable territory. The South Bolivar Venezuela Mission geography presents difficulties to advancing the message rapidly. The territory’s financial situation makes it too costly to reach remote areas. In the majority of the mission territory, the language is Taurepan, which represents another great challenge to reaching those people unless indigenous church members answer the call. For these reasons, it is necessary to train indigenous Adventist laypeople for gospel work on a full-time basis.
The South Bolivar Venezuela Mission territory is full of jungles, mountains, and rivers, presenting great difficulties in reaching people by land and a huge challenge to spreading the gospel. Since it is a mining territory and inhabited by indigenous peoples, reaching distant places by air is costly. It takes one hour to reach some communities via small aircraft, and the cost is too high to send one pastor by air to those churches, since the fare would approximate the evangelism budget for one year. Therefore, it is necessary to seek extra financial help in order to meet the challenges facing this territory. An ideal would be to personally own a means of transportation to reach the most remote areas more frequently.
List of Presidents
Jaime Rojas (2014-present).
Sources
East Venezuela Union Mission Board of Directors minutes. November 13-14, 2013, 09, vote 118. East Venezuela Union Mission archives, Caracas, Venezuela.
East Venezuela Union Mission Board of Directors minutes. September 20, 2014, 07, vote 064. East Venezuela Union Mission archives, Caracas, Venezuela.
García Robayna, Nathaniel. Sin Temor al Futuro. Caracas, Venezuela: Talleres Gráficos Litobrit, 1989.
“La Historia Adventista en Venezuela.” Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día: Asociación Venezolana Central - AVC. Accessed July 19, 2019. https://asovecen.interamerica.org/la-historia-adventista-en-venezuela.
“Mensaje Celestial Indios Pemon, Monte Roraima, Venezuela.” Steemit. Accessed July 19, 2019. https://steemit.com/spanish/@giftofspirit/mensaje-celestial-indios-pemon-monte-roraima-venezuela.
South Bolivar Venezuela Mission Board of Directors minutes. February 19, 2015, 2-3, vote 004. South Bolivar Venezuela Mission archives, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela.
South Bolivar Venezuela Mission Board of Directors minutes. October 28, 2015, 36, vote 055. South Bolivar Venezuela Mission archives, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela.
“South Bolivar Venezuela Mission.” Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook. Accessed 2021. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/entity?EntityID=53063.
Notes
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“South Bolivar Venezuela Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, accessed 2021, https://www.adventistyearbook.org/entity?EntityID=53063.↩
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Kevin Martínez, church elder and member of an indigenous group that knows the history of the mission college, interview by author, Maurak, Bolivar, July 14, 2019.↩
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“La Historia Adventista en Venezuela,” Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día: Asociación Venezolana Central – AVC, accessed July 19, 2019, https://asovecen.interamerica.org/la-historia-adventista-en-venezuela.↩
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Gerónimo Daniells, indigenous Adventist pastor who knows the history of his ancestors, interview by author, Turasen, Bolívar, May 23, 2018.↩
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“Mensaje Celestial Indios Pemon, Monte Roraima, Venezuela,” Steemit, accessed July 19, 2019, https://steemit.com/spanish/@giftofspirit/mensaje-celestial-indios-pemon-monte-roraima-venezuela.↩
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Nathaniel García Robayna, Sin Temor al Futuro (Caracas, Venezuela: Talleres Gráficos Litobrit), 1989, 12.↩
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Ibid.; and “Mensaje Celestial Indios Pemon, Monte Roraima, Venezuela,” Steemit, accessed July 19, 2019, https://steemit.com/spanish/@giftofspirit/mensaje-celestial-indios-pemon-monte-roraima-venezuela.↩
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García Robayna, 12.↩
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East Venezuela Union Mission Board of Directors, November 13-14, 2013, 09, vote 118, East Venezuela Union Mission archives.↩
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East Venezuela Union Mission Board of Directors, September 20, 2014, 07, vote 064, East Venezuela Union Mission archives.↩
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South Bolivar Venezuela Mission Board of Directors, February 19, 2015, 2-3, vote 004, South Bolivar Venezuela Mission archives.↩
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South Bolivar Venezuela Mission Board of Directors, October 28, 2015, 36, vote 055, South Bolivar Venezuela Mission archives.↩