Venezuela Earthquakes Leave Churches and Families Grieving
Rescue workers continued searching through collapsed buildings across northern Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck on June 24. Venezuelan missionaries Jorge and Diana Lugo described widespread loss in their church network, including damaged homes, missing friends, and grieving families facing a long recovery.
- Two powerful earthquakes and more than 130 aftershocks caused widespread destruction in northern Venezuela.
- Missionaries Jorge and Diana Lugo reported damage to their Caracas apartment building and deep losses among church families in La Guaira.
- Churches and aid workers are shifting from rescue efforts to long-term care, relief, and rebuilding.
By Rick Cherok
Rescue workers continued searching through collapsed buildings across northern Venezuela this week after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on June 24, leaving thousands dead or injured and entire communities facing a long recovery.
The twin quakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit within seconds of one another and were followed by more than 130 aftershocks, according to United Nations reporting. The disaster caused widespread destruction across Venezuela’s central-northern region, including Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas.
Casualty figures have continued to change as crews reach collapsed buildings. Earlier official figures cited in a missionary emergency update reported at least 1,430 deaths and 3,238 injuries, with rescue operations continuing around the clock. More recent reports have placed the death toll above 1,700, with thousands injured and many more still unaccounted for.
Earthquake Damage Spreads Across Northern Venezuela
La Guaira, a coastal region already marked by memories of the catastrophic 1999 mudslides, has suffered severe damage. Images from the area show residents and emergency workers digging through rubble while families wait for news of missing loved ones. The destruction has raised concerns about older buildings, unstable terrain, and construction standards in areas vulnerable to seismic activity.
For Venezuelan missionaries Jorge and Diana Lugo, who work with Team Expansion, the earthquake has been both a national tragedy and a deeply personal crisis. In an emergency update to supporters, the couple said they had arrived in the United States just days before the earthquakes to serve at Vacation Bible Schools in Ohio. Their apartment building in Caracas was damaged, but no immediate family members were injured. Diana’s parents were evacuated safely, and another family whose building nearly collapsed has since taken shelter in the Lugos’ apartment.
The couple also described two anxious days without communication from Jorge’s sister. When they finally reached her, they learned her apartment door had jammed during the quake, temporarily trapping her inside. After escaping, she spent two nights sleeping outside on a mattress in the street, afraid to return indoors because of aftershocks.
Venezuelan Church Network Faces Deep Loss
The disaster has also struck the Lugos’ church network. One church plant in La Guaira, led by Jorge Navarrete, was directly affected. According to the update, Pastor Ricardo survived the collapse of his apartment building, but his eight-year-old daughter, Verónica, died. His wife, Gabriela, remained missing at the time of the report. Ricardo suffered serious injuries requiring surgery, while his oldest daughter was also injured and his youngest son survived unharmed.
Only hours before the earthquake, Ricardo had told fellow pastors that six people had been baptized at the beach. By that afternoon, the community was mourning. The Lugos said several people connected to their congregation remained missing, including two new believers, Josefina and José Ángel. Several children connected to a local soccer community also died. Their son Jacob’s coach, Junior Romero, and his family were reported missing after their apartment building was demolished.
Even while away from Venezuela, the Lugos said their ministry has continued through phone calls, prayer, coordination with pastors, and directing emergency assistance. Their ministry vehicle has been used to transport people and deliver supplies, while their Caracas home has remained open as a place of refuge and ministry support.
Relief Efforts Move Toward Long-Term Recovery
International relief groups have warned that the humanitarian impact may stretch far beyond the initial death toll. Americares reported that health facilities were among the damaged buildings and that ongoing aftershocks were complicating rescue and recovery efforts. The United Nations has estimated that millions could be affected by the earthquakes and in need of assistance.
For churches and aid workers on the ground, the work is shifting from immediate rescue to long-term care. Families are grieving loved ones, searching for the missing, and facing months or years of rebuilding.
“The news cameras will eventually leave,” the Lugos wrote in a Facebook communication, “but these families will continue rebuilding their lives for months and years to come.” If you would like to support the ongoing relief efforts, gifts may be made through the Team Expansion Disaster Relief Fund (designate your gift for Venezuela) or IDES.
Author: Rick Cherok
Rick Cherok serves as Managing Editor of Christian Standard, Executive Director of Celtic Christian Mission, and Director of Men’s Services at Kentucky Christian University.
