The Rev. Luis Gregorio Coronado, a pastor of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela (Iglesia Lutherana de Venezuela, or ILV), was found murdered earlier this week after being reported missing several days before. ILV is a partner church of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Coronado, 58, disappeared on Dec. 14 while taking public transportation to visit members of his congregation. His body was found Dec. 16.
Coronado leaves behind a wife and three children, as well as his congregation of over 20 years, Iglesia Luterana Fuenta de Vida (Fountain of Life Lutheran Church) in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. He was the second-longest tenured pastor in the ILV and maintained a school through his congregation. He had previously served as president of the ILV.
“Luis was a gentle, faithful shepherd,” said the Rev. Ted Krey, LCMS regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “In fact, he was much like John the Baptist, always pointing others to Jesus and the firm hope of the Savior. I grieve him. I grieve for his dear wife and his son who is following him into the ministry.”
“Luis now enjoys new life in Jesus,” Krey continued. “We grow stronger in our Advent hope of seeing our dear ones gathered around our living Lord Jesus.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Posted Dec. 18, 2019
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Thank you for this notice, it is written clearly and respectfully. I am praying for Reverend Coronado’s loved ones. May Jesus comfort them with His peace.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
God’s blessings and peace be upon Rev. Coronado’s family, friends, and congregation.
Very sad to hear this. God bless his family and his congregation.
With his family, we, other Christians/ Lutherans, morn the loss of such a great warrior of faith. A sad and senseless act on the part of the devil’s henchmen. Vengeance belongs to the Lord – God is not mocked. We pray for the loved ones and his congregation to have strength and peace.
Although I am not a member of a Lutherin church, it still saddened me greatly to read of the death of one of God’s chosen at the hands of thugs. The thugs can no more stop the spread of God’s Word than they can stop the sun from rising every morning and setting in the evening. As a Christian, I can and will pray for all the priest, pastors and missionaries in all of South America as they run into more and more opposition from govt. and guerilla forces.
So very sad, praying for his win and son!
Prayers of comfort for the pastors family. God, those who murdered the pastor were created in your image. May the pastor’s church use the blood of Jesus to forgive them so they may bring the justice and love of Jesus to them that they be persuaded that He can save them from their sins.
When is the killing going to stop? Very sad.
Prayers for his family, congregation and friends…