An emotional “earthquake” for “Divina Providencia”

By Moisés G. Hernández

“An emotional earthquake.” That’s how Pastor and missionary Adrián Ventura described the situation of the Lutheran congregation Divina Providencia, in Santiago, Chile.

Despite being one of the largest congregations in the country, with over 50 members, it no longer has a building. Due to limited financial resources and the high cost of real estate in Santiago, it has become very difficult to rent—let alone purchase—a place to worship God.

Pastor Adrián’s diagnosis is a fitting play on words. Divina Providencia’s home is one of the most seismically active countries in the world.

But, as the reader may have guessed, this shake-up has nothing to do with the restless tectonic plates of this southern land.

Timeline of events

It all began on January 10, 2025.

As Pastor Adrián shared in his latest newsletter, the congregation was informed that it would need to vacate the property it had occupied for over five years by March. There simply weren’t enough funds to cover the nearly $2,000 monthly rent.

The property was a fairly spacious house that, for a time, also served as temporary housing for immigrants sponsored by our organization. It also hosted the GLO Chile offices.

In the backyard stood a modest sanctuary that was affectionately compared to Israel’s tabernacle.

The sanctuary was dismantled on February 22 with the help of a volunteer team from the sister church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina (IELA).

All of the church’s furnishings were distributed among members for safekeeping until a stable location is found.

In the meantime, as of April 27, Divina Providencia holds its Sunday services at a local community center near their former property. But it’s not free. Renting the space for just a few hours a week costs about $300 per month.

“Many people don’t like having to go through changes in life: a new job, a new home, a new family member, an illness, and many others. One reason is our comfort zone, which makes us feel safe, content, and secure. But in life, the only certainty we have is that change will come,” Pastor Adrián shared in his newsletter.

A time of testing

Without a doubt, Divina Providencia is experiencing a true emotional earthquake.

“It’s a time of testing, but we trust that God will provide a permanent place for our congregation in His time,” Pastor Adrián also wrote.

We invite you to pray that Divina Providencia finds a permanent space to gather—and that, while they wait, the members remain united, steady, patient, and confident in the Lord who can do all things.