PROJECTS, Stendal Ministries

Special Projects

On behalf of our Stendal Ministries family—together with our partners in the United States (SOM International), Canada (Colombia Para Cristo Society), and South America (Iglesia Colombia Para Cristo)— we are pleased to present this summary of special projects, highlighting the work our mission has accomplished by the grace of God and through your faithful prayers and support.

Bibles for Colombia & Venezuela

As the world around us sinks deeper into spiritual darkness, the light of truth shines ever more brightly. We are experiencing a truly wonderful time strengthening our Bible distribution ministry and attending one conference after another—each filled with hundreds of exceptional Christian leaders whom God is raising up. The quality and passion we are seeing are remarkable.

Our Bible distribution efforts are reaching deeply into affected areas, overflowing across Venezuela, where a powerful revival continues to spread and multiply.

Our primary objective is to strengthen the ongoing revival in Venezuela by providing desperately needed Bibles. These Bibles serve to encourage believers who are enduring persecution, severe economic hardship, and various forms of government oppression.

We believe the Gospel is the only true solution for both Colombia and Venezuela. Investing in free Bible distribution has the potential to transform these nations for the Lord.

In many areas, borders remain closed, and refugees are fleeing in large numbers. We aim to support the pastors and Christian leaders who have chosen to stay behind and continue ministering despite immense challenges. These leaders are struggling to prevent weaker members of their congregations from physically starving, all while unprecedented opportunities for evangelism are opening up.

Most congregations still lack enough Bibles. However, thanks to your generous support, we have now distributed over 500,000 free Bibles and hundreds of Christian books into some of the most dangerous regions—ensuring that pastors have the Bibles they need to equip their growing congregations.

Bibles Update

Christian Radio Broadcasting

At CPC Society Recording Studios, countless hours of radio programming are produced for a wide array of FM, AM, and shortwave stations—the latter serving as a vital tool to bring the Word of God to distant continents and the most remote corners of the world.

Over the course of more than two decades of dedicated ministry, CPC has produced more than 585 hours of recorded sermons and biblical content, including:

40 hours of children’s programming
60 hours narrating the Old Testament in Spanish
17 hours narrating the New Testament in Spanish
A monumental 82-hour, 32-minute English-language audio production of the entire Bible

Numerous radio stations throughout Colombia—including many mobile Army stations—broadcast our programs. These broadcasts have become an invaluable source of spiritual, emotional, and psychological support for isolated communities deeply affected by poverty and violence.

Russell Stendal has recorded over 1,000 messages, amounting to more than 585 hours of in-depth Bible teaching specifically produced for radio. Combined with printed literature, these teachings have proven highly effective for discipleship and spiritual growth—especially in regions where traditional church structures are absent.

(These Spanish-language messages are also available at martinstendal.com.)

In addition, CPC has recorded and adapted the entire Jubilee Bible, translated by Russell Stendal into both English and Spanish, for radio broadcast. The Spanish version comprises over 77 hours of content, with chapters strategically aired across our network. The English version—narrated by Russell’s daughter, Lisa Stendal—totals over 82 hours and has become widely appreciated online, not only for the quality of the translation but also for being one of the few complete Bible narrations voiced by a woman.

CPC Studios has also produced nine full-length radio dramas, complete with professional voice acting, music, and sound effects. One of the most impactful, Rescue the Captors—the story of Russell’s kidnapping—was adapted by Lisa and has resonated powerfully with remote rural communities, becoming a vital tool for reaching difficult and often unreached areas. Lisa has also adapted all seven books of The Chronicles of Narnia into radio format, offering over 40 hours of uplifting and imaginative content for children in forgotten regions.

Beyond radio, CPC Studios has completed full sound production for two major motion pictures: La Montaña and The Parish of the Pines.

Currently, we are producing an audio version of the Book of Psalms, each paired with an original musical composition recorded using hand-crafted instruments. These recordings are complemented by an in-depth exploration of each Psalm’s prophetic meaning, viewed through the lens of biblical numerology.

Russell and his team have also installed and continue to maintain numerous radio stations across Colombia. Remarkably, he was invited to help establish a radio station to monitor one of Colombia’s—and the world’s—most dangerous volcanoes, Machín. In collaboration with Galcom, a solar-powered radio network was set up to provide real-time updates on volcanic activity while also offering spiritual encouragement to the vulnerable communities in the area.

Radio Update

Clean Water and a Clean Message

Thanks to the faithful support of our partners, allies, and friends around the world, Colombia Para Cristo is actively providing physical aid to persecuted Christians living in marginalized regions impacted by war and poverty. Through our initiative, Clean Water and a Clean Message, we are delivering clean drinking water to those in desperate need.

As part of this project, we have distributed numerous portable water purification systems to indigenous Christian communities in some of Colombia’s most hostile and remote areas—regions currently experiencing a powerful spiritual revival. Many of these believers have long endured persecution and oppression at the hands of radical tribal groups and drug cartels, especially in conflict zones near the borders with Venezuela and Ecuador.

This initiative not only meets a critical physical need but also serves as a source of encouragement and resilience. By equipping these Christians with access to clean water—alongside Bibles and Christian literature—we empower them to remain in their communities, serve their neighbors, care for their children, and be a witness for Christ. The impact is both practical and spiritual, offering hope and transformation in some of the most challenging environments.

Clean Water

Support to Persecuted Christians

With the help of our partners, allies, and friends worldwide, Colombia Para Cristo (CPC) is actively engaged in several initiatives to support persecuted Christian communities across Colombia. Our efforts include:

Empowering Persecuted Indigenous Tribes

We are supporting Christian tribes such as the Kogi and Paez through:

Educational programs that foster long-term growth and spiritual development.
Agricultural initiatives that promote self-sufficiency.
Encouraging forgiveness and outreach, even to those who have persecuted them.

Restoring Former Persecutors

Through our “Rescue the Captors” project:

We minister to former enemies of the Gospel who have come to faith in Christ.
These individuals are now being equipped with Christian resources and discipleship tools.
Many are actively working to share the Gospel with those they once opposed.

Rebuilding the Paez and Kogi Christian Communities

The Paez believers, spread across Cauca, Huila, and Kogi natives (Magdalena), have endured severe persecution—including expulsion from their ancestral lands due to their Christian faith. In response:

CPC Colombia, in partnership with Voice of the Martyrs Canada and Finland, helped relocate the community to land where they cannot be legally expelled for their beliefs.
While they still face ongoing challenges, they now enjoy freedom to worship openly.

Sustainable Support & Infrastructure

We continue to improve the quality of life for displaced Paez Christians through:

Clean water access (e.g., a water purification system donated by HMK Germany).
Safe housing, electricity, and land for cultivation.
Education and community development programs for children and families.

Standing Firm in Faith

The Paez community was targeted for leaving behind ancestral practices involving witchcraft and harmful rituals—including some affecting children. Despite being mistreated and displaced, their trials have only deepened their faith and commitment to living peacefully in Christ.

Our Mission Going Forward:
We are committed to walking alongside these communities—helping them not just survive but thrive—through:

Physical stability
Spiritual growth
Hope in Christ

Education Update

Christmas Blessing for Colombia

Impact Report

We are filled with joy and gratitude to have been instruments in the hands of the Lord, bringing hope and celebration to children from persecuted Christian communities affected by violence and social instability in Colombia and along the border with Venezuela. This was made possible through the Christmas Blessing project, a partnership between Voice of the Martyrs Canada and Colombia Para Cristo.

Vision and Purpose

The project was initially born out of a desire to reach 400 children from four persecuted Christian communities, providing them with durable bicycles—not just as gifts, but as essential tools for transportation. These bicycles represent a resource that most of these families could never afford. In addition, the initiative aimed to provide:

Christmas-themed books
Bibles
Family care packages (with food and essential daily supplies)

Unexpected Multiplication

By God’s miraculous provision, the impact expanded far beyond our expectations:

13+ persecuted Christian communities reached
1,026 children joyfully received a bicycle or toy
14,300+ books distributed
3,200+ Bibles given—including to the Sikuani native people, many receiving the Word of God in their language for the first time ever

One five-year-old child named John shared with radiant faith, “God is very strong and He takes good care of the children.”

Throughout the violent rural paths where these children live, scenes of hardship were transformed into rivers of bright, colorful bicycles, with children laughing and playing from dawn until nightfall. Even non-Christians and former persecutors in these hostile areas were surprised, touched, and in some cases, transformed by the contagious joy.

A Historic Moment for the Sikuani People

Perhaps the most touching impact was among the Sikuani indigenous communities. For many of them, this was the first time receiving the Bible in their native language. These sacred moments took place during events and conventions held in remote and nearly inaccessible regions along the Colombia–Venezuela border.

Families traveled for weeks, many coming from deep within Venezuela, enduring great hardship to receive the precious gift of the Scriptures. One unforgettable image is that of recipients wrapping their new Bibles in their hands like the most valuable treasure on earth—deeply aware of the sacrifice of the translator who lived among them for years and the resources it took to make this possible. But above all, they recognized that the message within the pages is the only true hope for their lives.

Christmas Blessing

Piaroa and Sikuani Annual Conferences

Report from the Piaroa Nation – by Tim Walker
(Translator of the Piaroa New Testament)

Leaders from each area of the Piaroa nation (the P’s) stood up one by one to give brief reports from their churches. They refer to these areas as “sectors.” The P’s are impressively organized and keep close track of each sector—who the leaders are, how many believers there are, and other key details. They use this information strategically as they continue reaching out to unreached areas with the Gospel.

At the end of the reports, the director of the meeting motioned for me to come up and share as well. I stepped onto the stage and greeted the people. At first, I wasn’t exactly sure what to say, but then I remembered how much the Piaroa people enjoy personal stories—how you’re doing, how your family is, how many children, in-laws, and grandchildren you have, and so on. So, I began sharing about our family—each of our children, where they are, and what they’re doing. I think I spoke for about 45 minutes. They truly loved hearing all the news, and now they know how to pray for each of us, as I gave specific details about our kids and their families. What an honor to be lifted up in prayer by these dear people.

It goes without saying that none of this ministry would be happening without Russell Stendal. I can’t begin to list all the work he has done—and continues to do—for the P’s. He is a true servant of God, a deeply faithful man who remembers every detail of anything you ask of him—and he always follows through on his word.

The groundwork for this recent trip—laid months in advance by Russell and his right-hand man, Casildo—was nothing short of remarkable. Russell made special trips to the village long before the conference began. He met with leaders, assessed security and the venue, made reservations at the tourist camp, and booked flights from Bogotá to the border. He transported barrels of diesel fuel for the generator, hauled all the sound equipment (including a large movie screen), and delivered hundreds of boxes containing Spanish Bibles, Christian books, and over 6,000 newly printed Piaroa primers.

All of this was done in advance and at his own expense. I couldn’t feel more honored than by the “red carpet” Russell rolls out for me each time I go. Truly, the Lord works through His people—this is clearly His hand at work.

Piaroa and Sikuani