Kidnapped by Guerrilla Soldiers
Russell Stendal is a missionary in Colombia who risks his life for the Gospel every day.
When Russell was in his 20s, he was taken hostage by the FARC guerrillas (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). During his captivity, God gave him a burning passion to reach out to the guerrillas with the Gospel.
After five grueling months deep in the Colombian jungle, Russell was released. He was left traumatised and in ill-health, but determined to bring the Gospel to the guerrillas.
Gospel on the radio
One of the main ways Russell tries to reach the guerrillas today is through a radio ministry.
Russell broadcasts radio programs with Christian music and teaching into remote areas where there are very few churches, and where pastors and missionaries aren’t allowed to go. Russell flies his plane over some of the most isolated regions of Colombia and drops parachute packs over guerrilla camps and remote communities.
Each parachute pack has a solar-powered radio and a Bible. All the guerrillas own is what they can carry on them, so a small radio is a treasured possession. Many of them gather around the radios listening to the Bible being taught through songs and sermons.
So far, Russell has dropped over 100,000 parachute packs. Many from remote communities as well as FARC guerrillas have been led to the Lord through this ministry. It's dangerous work, but Russel says:
"I definitely think it’s worth the risk, because we can place these parachutes very, very effectively. And just one parachute with one radio can have an effect on a whole group of men [FARC guerrillas], and we’re able to deliver hundreds of parachutes very, very precisely using this method."
Russell has had threats on his life – he’s been held at gunpoint and told never to return to certain areas controlled by the FARC. But he continues to be unashamed, risking his life to see the Gospel advance amongst the guerrillas.
For more info on Russell and how you can support him, visit Thirteen Three.
