It was a horrific loss.
In northern Colombia, a tragic shooting resulted in the deaths of Pastor Marlon Lora, his wife Yorley Rincon, and their daughter Angela Lora Rincón, following a church service on Sunday. The family was attacked by a gunman on a motorcycle outside a restaurant in the municipality of Aguachica. Their 21-year-old son, Santiago Lora Rincón, was injured but survived. Pastor Lora led the Prince of Peace Villaparaguay Church and oversaw numerous churches across Colombia through the Missionaries Biblical Churches (IBM) denomination.
Pastor Lora had expressed concerns about threats to another pastor before the attack, according to his supervisor, Pastor Giovanni Bermúdez. Despite these concerns, Lora and his family were beloved by their local Christian community in Aguachica. Angela worked in communications for a public utility company, while Santiago was a systems engineering student. The community deeply mourns the loss of the Lora family, who had a reputation for their faith and service.
The Colombian government has responded by offering a reward of up to 50 million pesos for any information about the perpetrators. In addition, Aguachica’s mayor, Greisy Roqueme, imposed a curfew to help maintain order in the wake of the violence. Both President Gustavo Petro and the Director of Religious Affairs for the Ministry of the Interior, Alexander Jaimes, have publicly expressed their condolences and solidarity with the victims’ families and the broader religious community.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) condemned the violence, urging the Colombian government to increase protection for religious leaders, who are increasingly targeted due to their roles in their communities. This attack is part of a troubling rise in violence against Christians in Colombia, with several incidents reported in recent months. The government has also noted an increase in death threats and violence against religious leaders, with some facing threats from armed groups and criminal organizations.
Colombia’s status as one of the more dangerous countries for Christians continues to grow. According to Open Doors International’s 2024 World Watch List, the country ranks 34th globally for Christian persecution. Church leaders, particularly those who oppose criminal activities or speak out about corruption, are often at risk of violence, intimidation, and even murder. This situation highlights the need for continued protection and support for Colombia’s religious leaders.