Venezuela - (South America)
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Information about Venezuela

At the end of the 19th century North American missionaries began work in Venezuela. Theodore S. and Julia H. Pond, who had served for 25 years in Syria, were transferred to Colombia and started work in Caracas in 1897. In 1901 they succeeded in founding the first Presb church in Caracas and in inaugurating, in 1912, the first church building (El Redentor). Strong emphasis was placed on educational work. Several schools were opened. The mission station worked in close collaboration with the American School, which had been started in 1896 by Heraclio Osuna. Meth work had started even earlier (1891). After the departure of the Ponds, the young church went through difficult times. The first presbytery was not inaugurated until 1946. In the years following 1956, work began to expand and new churches were founded (Barquisimeto, Maracaibo, Punto Fijo, Valencia, Maracay, Mérida).
In 1958 several Evangelical churches in Venezuela decided to form the Venezuelan Evangelical Council as a means of exchange and collaboration. The organization grew. Its 25th Assembly was held in Carabobo in November 1997.

Alliances

• LATIN AMERICAN AREA COUNCIL
  ALLIANCE OF PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED CHURCHES IN LATIN AMERICA AIPRAL

Churches

• Iglesia Cristiana de Fe Reformada
  Reformed Faith Christian Church
• Iglesia Presbiteriana de Venezuela
  Presbyterian Church of Venezuela
• Presbyterian Church El Redentor