Adventist Church in Bogotá Joins 482-year Celebration of the City and Honors Those Who Died of COVID-19

L eaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Colombia recently took part in a celebration of the 482nd birthday of the city of Bogotá, which doubled as a ceremony to honor those who have died from the Coronavirus pandemic. The event took place on August 6, at Simón Bolivar Park in Bogotá.

“We wanted to begin this commemoration of the 482 years of our city by uniting in offering condolences and remembering the history we have built together since our city was founded,” said Claudia López, mayor of Bogotá. The mayor also invited leaders from other denominations to the event.

With tears in her eyes, the mayor encouraged citizens to have hope and continue to follow safety guidelines put in place to prevent the spread of infections. Bogotá is home to 7.4 million people.

The Health Ministry in Colombia reports that there are currently more than 345,700 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country and 11,624 deaths. Bogotá has nearly one-third of the cases in the country.

“There are more than 48,000 Seventh-day Adventists who live in Bogotá and we are happy to join you in the celebration of the 482 years and offer the following prayer to the Protector and Creator God, the protector God of this city,” said Pastor Henry Beltrán public affairs and religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Colombia.

“Be of good courage and strength,” he continued. “Let’s trust in the Lord for He watches over us.”

Church leaders have reported 30 deaths among its members in South Colombia, with 70 members who have tested positive with the coronavirus.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Colombia has provided humanitarian assistance through its Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Colombia, to needy families, Venezuelan immigrants, and the most vulnerable persons during the pandemic crisis.

To learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Colombia, visit unioncolombianadelsur.org

This article was originally published on the Inter-America Division’s website