In northern Colombia, an attacker tragically murdered Protestant church leader Iván García after he led a service, highlighting a dangerous pattern of violence targeting Christian leaders.

According to the Christian Post, Iván García’s assassination marks a concerning trend of violence against religious figures in Colombia.

Last Wednesday evening, two assailants on a motorcycle shot and killed Iván García, 28, on a rural road in northern Colombia shortly after he conducted a service at the People of God Christian Vision Church. This event followed the recent assassination of another Protestant leader, Pastor Marlon Lora, and his family, escalating fears among the religious community.

The attackers shot García, inflicting six gunshot wounds, including two to the head. The ambush occurred while García was accompanied by his 14-year-old stepdaughter and six other individuals.

García’s Deep Integration in His Faith and Community

During this violent episode, attackers injured a woman in García’s traveling group, leaving her with a bullet wound to her arm. García, who had recently married Pastor Karen Nierles, had played a key role in growing their church’s membership dramatically from seven to 30 members within the short span of their marriage.

Previously affiliated with an illegal armed group, García revived his commitment to Christianity and did not report recent threats against him. Despite his challenging past, he displayed relentless devotion to his faith, emphasizing its importance in both his life and death.

Pastor Karen Nierles reflected on her late husband's courage and unwavering faith. She shared García's words, “A few days ago, he told me that he was not afraid to teach the Bible... ‘For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,’” confirming his dedication up until his untimely demise.

Past Threats and the Broader Scenario of Christian Persecution

About a month before his assassination, García and Nierles reportedly found themselves near an unrelated gunfire incident, which added to the pre-existing tensions. His assassination occurred less than three weeks after the murder of Pastor Marlon Lora and his family in a nearby region, underlining the vulnerability of religious leaders in Colombia.

The community held Iván García’s funeral in the Zulia Department, his childhood home, where his grieving mother and numerous community members attended.

Anna Lee Stangl, director of Advocacy at CSW, lamented the losses, stating, “CSW grieves with the family and church community of Iván García. The nature of the attack... indicates that these are premeditated, targeted assassinations.”

Legal Changes and International Concern Over Religious Freedom

García’s death coincides with a troubling period of increased threat to religious leaders in Colombia. The Colombian Ombudsman's Office confirmed a significant uptick in religious freedom violations, identifying these targeted attacks as part of a disturbing trend.

Moreover, changes in Colombian law have reduced protective measures for religious leaders. Under Decree 1066, such figures are no longer eligible for specific security protections, which may have compromised the safety of leaders like García and Lora.

Stangl added that religious leaders often face threats due to their roles as community peacemakers and influencers. “Religious leaders have long been a target of illegal armed and criminal groups...including the role many of them take up as peacemakers...” she noted, highlighting the broader implications of these violent acts.

Global Implications and Reflections on Colombia’s Religious Persecution

These serial attacks on Protestant leaders in Colombia have caught international attention, leading to its ranking as 34th worldwide in Christian persecution according to Open Doors International’s World Watch List. This classification underlines the perilous environment for religious figures in the region.

The escalation of violence has prompted calls from global human rights and religious groups demanding a reassessment of protection measures for religious leaders in Colombia, aiming to stem the tide of these abhorrent crimes and ensure safer conditions for all faith-based community leaders.