Colombian Pastor Beaten to Death by Gang Members He Preached To
Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez ministered to homeless people and gang members in Cartagena's most dangerous streets. He was killed after refusing to let them use his motorcycle
The short answer
According to The Christian Post, citing Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Pastor Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez of La Antorcha Encendida Church, an independent congregation in Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia, was beaten to death by gang members on 7 October after refusing to let them use his motorcycle, which he had been warned they planned to use to move drugs. He regularly preached to homeless people and gang members. He leaves his wife and three children, aged 5, 6 and 12. No arrests have been reported.
Pastor Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez went where most people avoid: the most dangerous streets of Cartagena, Colombia, preaching to homeless people and to members of local gangs. On 7 October, some of those gang members killed him.
What Happened
According to The Christian Post, citing Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Puerta had sometimes lent his motorcycle to gang members he was reaching. He was then warned that they planned to use it to move illegal drugs — and that it had already been used in crimes. When he refused to hand it over, they beat him to death. Sources told CSW the men had planned to tie him to a crime through the motorcycle. No arrests have been reported.
"Pastor Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez preached to the gangs of Cartagena — and was beaten to death by members of one after refusing to let them use his motorcycle for drugs. He leaves three young children. CSW counts at least 10 Protestant leaders killed in Colombia in a year."
Click to copy and shareA Family That Had Already Moved for Safety
Puerta and his wife had served as missionaries for eight years. They founded a church in María La Baja and moved to Cartagena in December 2025 after threats over his preaching, where he led La Antorcha Encendida Church, an independent congregation. He leaves his wife, their three children — aged 5, 6 and 12 — and his wife's elderly parents, whom she cares for.
The Wider Pattern in Colombia
CSW reports that at least 10 Protestant leaders were killed in Colombia between December 2024 and November 2025, and says the government removed religious leaders from its protection programmes for at-risk groups in 2023. On 13 October, CSW delivered a petition with more than 1,600 signatures to Colombia's embassy in London asking for those protections to be restored.
"Thorough and transparent investigation" is what CSW's director of advocacy, Anna Lee Stangl, is asking Cartagena's authorities to open.
Colombia ranks 47th on Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List. In Latin America, the danger to pastors often comes less from the state than from armed groups who see a pastor's influence on young people as a threat — the same pressure behind this month's killing of a pastor and his wife in Mexico.
Pray
Pray for Puerta's wife and children, for La Antorcha Encendida Church, for justice — and, as Puerta surely would have, for the young men on Cartagena's streets who still need to hear the gospel.
Pastor Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez preached to the gangs of Cartagena — and was beaten to death by members of one after refusing to let them use his motorcycle for drugs. He leaves three young children. CSW counts at least 10 Protestant leaders killed in Colombia in a year.
Biblical Perspective
Jesus came "to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10) and sent His followers "like sheep among wolves" (Matthew 10:16). "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants" (Psalm 116:15), and God is "a father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5).
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."
— Psalm 116:15 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord, comfort the wife and three children of Pastor Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez, and provide for them. Strengthen La Antorcha Encendida Church. Bring justice in Cartagena and protection for pastors across Colombia. And reach the young men on those streets with the gospel he gave his life to share. In Jesus' name, amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›Precious in God's sight is the death of His faithful servants!
- ›God is a father to the fatherless!
- ›The gospel will reach the streets of Cartagena!
Take Action
- 1Pray for Pastor Puerta's wife and children by name this week.
- 2Pray for pastors who minister to gangs and the homeless in dangerous places.
- 3Read our guide on the World Watch List.
"A Colombian pastor who preached to gangs was beaten to death by members of one. He leaves three young children. Please pray."
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Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
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Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
What happened to Pastor Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez?
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According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, reported by The Christian Post, Pastor Jesús Alberto Puerta Pérez of La Antorcha Encendida Church in Cartagena, Colombia, was beaten to death by gang members on 7 October 2026 after refusing to let them use his motorcycle to move drugs. No arrests have been reported.
How many pastors have been killed in Colombia?
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Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that at least 10 Protestant leaders were killed in Colombia between December 2024 and November 2025. Colombia ranks 47th on Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List.
Sources & further reading
- 1.Colombian pastor murdered by members of gang he evangelizedThe Christian Post
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."
Psalm 116:15 (NIV)
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