Venezuela Needs Volunteers

The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has grown even more urgent following recent major earthquakes, adding a new layer of devastation to an already challenging situation. In response, FCFI Executive Director Dan Janzen has invited Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI) members and friends to begin praying, discussing, and exploring how God may lead individuals to serve.

While Dan was recently in Peru, he met a Venezuelan man who expressed a willingness to return to his homeland to help with relief efforts. Although it is still too early to know what role this connection may play, the conversation serves as a reminder that God is already stirring hearts and opening unexpected opportunities as people consider how they might respond to the growing crisis.

While no official response has been announced, Dan emphasized that there is an opportunity to identify volunteers who may be interested in helping, whether through hands-on disaster response, agricultural development, discipleship, or logistical support. If enough interest and leadership emerge, there are opportunities to link up with other organizations who are serving.

Drawing from FCFI’s experience in disaster response and rural ministry, Dan outlined several ways volunteers could potentially serve in Venezuela. These include assisting with debris removal and basic shelter construction, supporting agricultural recovery through the distribution of seeds and farming tools, strengthening church-based relief networks, providing discipleship and pastoral care, helping restore livestock and rural livelihoods, and partnering with Venezuelan believers living throughout Latin America to strengthen ministry efforts.

Dan also stressed the importance of working alongside trusted local churches and established humanitarian organizations already serving in Venezuela. Careful planning, site assessments, and strong local partnerships are essential for any effective and sustainable response.

When Dan sent an email out to 40 individuals who might have interest in engaging in helping, encouraging conversations began taking place. Ben Thomas of Bridgeway Ministries in Tulsa, Oklahoma, shared that the U.S. government has committed significant humanitarian funding for Venezuela and that organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse and Catholic relief agencies may have funding opportunities available through partner organizations. Ben has already begun reaching out to explore whether transportation and logistical support could be secured for an 18-member Spanish-speaking medical team based in Cuba, which could potentially assist with medical relief efforts if funding becomes available.

These early discussions highlight the possibility of combining agricultural support, disaster response, medical assistance, and Gospel-centered ministry to meet both immediate and long-term needs.

Dan believes Venezuela represents more than a disaster response opportunity—it could become a model for integrated relief, agricultural development, discipleship, and long-term community transformation throughout Latin America. FCFI will, however, at the moment be prioritizing the return trip to Jamaica the third week in Nov. and at the same time try to connect those wishing to help in Venezuela to those organizations who are already responding.

If you feel God may be leading you to learn more, volunteer, or become involved in any capacity in Jamaica or Venezuela, Dan would love to hear from you. Whether your interest is in disaster response, farming, medical support, logistics, prayer, or future mission opportunities, your willingness to serve could become part of a meaningful ministry effort.

To learn more or express your interest, please contact Dan Janzen directly by email at dan@fcfi.org or by phone at 616-676-6684.