Update on Recent Earthquakes in Colombia

On August 10, 2026, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, centered in the Chocó department. A second earthquake of 4.4 magnitude struck the same region on August 20. As of August 20, 319 people have died, 4,506 have been injured, and 260 remain missing (according to Doctors Without Borders, August 21, 2026).  In a remote region still recovering from the 52-year conflict that ended with the 2026 peace agreement, rebuilt homes, schools, health centers, and other critical infrastructure were damaged or destroyed.

Although the Lutheran Church of Colombia (IELCO) was not directly impacted by the earthquakes, IELCO immediately engaged ministry partners in Chocó and beyond to address both immediate and emergent physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of all who are suffering from this natural disaster. Bishop John Rojas released a video message (see below), making an "urgent appeal for national unity . . . to set aside all differences and act as one." At the invitation of local faith leaders in the Chocó region, IELCO pastors activated their new "first response" ministry, forming and deploying teams that will provide spiritual care for people affected by the earthquakes. Note: This ministry was recently created by an IELCO pastor to meet the emergent spiritual and psychosocial needs of Venezuela refugees who took shelter in Colombian communities after the June 2026 earthquakes in Venezuela. Several weeks later, it is now activated with the people of Colombia.

How can the people of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod provide support to our Colombian siblings in Christ?

• Pray for the people of Colombia: For unity. For food and clean water, health and safety. For the IELCO pastors who are providing "first response" spiritual care.
• Partner financially: Your gifts to the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Colombia fund (SEMNSynod.org/GiveNow; select global and add "Colombia" to the memo) will be directed to IELCO so that they can provide food, fresh water, diapers, and other emergent needs as they continue to engage earthquake survivors with on-the-ground "first response" spiritual care.

Contact Kathy Chatelaine (chatelaine@semnsynod.org) with any questions on how you can partner with the people of Colombia during this natural disaster.

A Prayer

From SundaysAndSeasons.com:

Merciful God, hear the cries for mercy in the wake of the Colombia earthquake. Reveal your presence in the midst of the suffering. Help your people to trust in your promises of hope and life, so that desperation and grief will not overtake your people. Come quickly to Colombia’s aid that all may know peace and joy again. Strengthen all your people in this time of trial with the assurance and hope we know in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

(Copyright © 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.)

Video Message from Bishop John Rojas

IELCO's Presiding Bishop shared a video message on their Facebook page (Facebook.com/IglesiaEvangelicaLuterana) on August 10. The translation of that message from ielco.org/en is below.

(IELCO) – Statement from Bishop John Rojas regarding the earthquake in our country. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ and to all the people of Colombia: Today we wake up with heavy hearts, deeply moved by the pain caused by the powerful earthquake that has struck our nation. As the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia, we join together in a single feeling of sorrow and solidarity with every person and family who is currently suffering the consequences of this tragic emergency.

Our hearts ache for the suffering of those whose safety or that of their loved ones has been compromised, the material losses, the fear instilled in homes, and, most especially, the vulnerability of our human condition, which becomes evident in moments like these. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that God's grace sustains us. We raise our prayers to God, our Lord, for His comfort, strength, and peace for those who have lost everything today. We cry out for the rescue teams, medical personnel, and authorities, that the Lord may grant them wisdom, courage, and renewed strength in their work of support and assistance.

We make an urgent appeal for national unity and Christian solidarity. This is the time to set aside all differences and act as one. We ask our congregations and all citizens to join in collective efforts to provide aid, shelter, and sustenance to those who have become most vulnerable. May our hands be instruments of God's love in the midst of this trial, and may the hope and peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds.

Learn more about the partnership between this synod and Colombia here.