One worked for a multinational tech company. Another was a petroleum engineer. Still another was an Olympic medalist.
As Venezuela’s economy collapsed and political repression intensified under Nicolás Maduro, they made the heart-wrenching decision to leave everything behind. They arrived in South Florida with little money, a few sets of clothes, and their faith.
Now, church leaders across America say these Venezuelan believers have brought something unexpected: revival.
The Largest Displacement in Western Hemisphere History
Since 2014, approximately 8 million Venezuelans have fled their homeland — the largest displacement crisis in Western Hemisphere history. According to Pew Research Center analysis, roughly 1.2 million Venezuelans now reside in the United States, more than double the number from just five years ago.
The exodus transformed specific American cities virtually overnight. Miami’s Venezuelan community now numbers 254,000 people — representing 8% of the metropolitan area’s total population. The city of Doral in western Miami-Dade County has earned the nickname “Doralzuela” for its booming Venezuelan population, where Venezuelan-owned businesses line commercial corridors and Spanish with Venezuelan accents dominates public spaces.
Orlando hosts another 127,000 Venezuelans, comprising an extraordinary 12% of that metro’s residents — the highest concentration ratio of any major US city.
But these immigrants brought more than their culture and cuisine. They brought a deep, tested faith.
“They Have Enriched Us”
At the Sunset Church of Christ in Miami, elders Alphonso Thomas and Jeff Hinson have witnessed the Venezuelan impact firsthand.
“The immigrants are devoted and hard-working,” Hinson explained. “Because of what they’ve endured, they do just appreciate so much the family that they have here.”
Thomas agreed: “If you believe in Christ, and you are part of the Church of Christ, no matter where you’re from — Venezuela, America, any other Spanish country — it is good. They have enriched us.”
This sentiment echoes across denominations and cities. Some bishops have told international observers that many of their parishes have been “pastorally renewed” thanks to the contribution and participation of Venezuelan migrants.
“One of the few things that fit easily in the suitcase of Venezuelan migrants is their faith in God,” noted Bishop Raul Biord of La Guaira, Venezuela. “When they arrive in a new land, they look for the nearest Catholic church.”
Faith Forged in Crisis
Venezuelan believers aren’t casual Christians. Many arrived with faith that had been tested by years of hardship, persecution, and loss.
Juan Carlos Martinez, who now leads a Spanish-language Bible class at the West Broward Church of Christ in Plantation, Florida, fled Venezuela at age 40. He identifies a bit with Moses, who also fled his homeland and started over in a new land.
“We had to leave everything,” Martinez told The Christian Chronicle. “But our faith — that we brought with us.”
The crisis in Venezuela actually strengthened many believers’ devotion. As one ministry leader observed, “Where there is discomfort, people will look for ways to look up to God, and I think God is using that to bring people to him. Sometimes our crises and difficult circumstances are the ones that will draw us closer to him.”
Evangelical Christianity had been growing rapidly in Venezuela even before the exodus. The movement especially appealed to the poor, offering community, structure, and hope that the Catholic Church — which often clashed with the Chavez and Maduro governments — struggled to provide.
Now that passion for the Gospel has arrived on American shores.
A Spiritual Awakening Spreads
The Venezuelan revival is part of a broader spiritual awakening among Hispanic Christians in America.
According to research from LifeWay and the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, Hispanic churches represent the fastest-growing evangelical segment in the United States. First-generation immigrants are leading this expansion — drawing in more unchurched believers and new converts than the average church plant, despite having smaller congregations and less funding.
“For a long time, the Hispanic Latino church has been invisible to many in the United States and its growth has not received the necessary attention,” said Gabriel Salguero, president and founder of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. “One in four children born in the US are Latino. There are over 60 million Latinos in the country.”
The numbers tell a compelling story. Approximately 80% of founding or lead pastors of Hispanic church plants were born outside the US, as were two-thirds of their members on average. Nearly half of these Hispanic church plants are within the Southern Baptist Convention, which now boasts over 500 Spanish-language congregations with 1,000 or more members.
“The Latino church is entrepreneurial. It’s passionate about mission. It has a deep commitment to evangelism,” Salguero explained. “Hispanics often come from places where there is a lot of need, and they come with a passion for the gospel.”
The “Two Venezuelas”
Carlos and Karla Carbajal understand the complexity of Venezuelan immigrant life in America. A few years ago, they launched Oikos, a Spanish-language church in Miami that takes its name from the Greek word for household. Karla also started a law firm specializing in immigration, with most of her clients being Venezuelan.
“The reality is, there’s two Venezuelas — the Venezuela over there and the Venezuela over here,” Carlos explained.
The capture of President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 brought initial celebration among Venezuelan communities. Many evangelical leaders saw it as a spiritual victory. “God is using Donald Trump to liberate Venezuela from the 27-year-old chains of oppression,” said Rev. José Durán, a Venezuelan immigrant pastor in Michigan.
However, joy quickly mixed with uncertainty. The Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status for many Venezuelan immigrants, revoking their permission to work and drive and potentially subjecting them to deportation.
“People are happy because Maduro is out, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, who ministers to the largest Venezuelan community in the US. “As far as those who are here in this country that have lost their temporary protective status, they’re anxious about returning unless there is a real change of the political and social situation in the country.”
Churches as Community Anchors
Venezuelan and other Latino churches have become much more than places of worship — they serve as community anchors providing essential services.
Unlike government agencies that require documentation, proof of income, or proof of residence, churches offer help without barriers. Food distributions, ESL classes, immigration assistance, trauma recovery programs, and job training happen alongside Sunday worship.
“The church is perhaps the only institution that is independent of the government, that can speak quite courageously about the situation in the country,” Wenski observed about the church’s role in Venezuela. That same independence makes churches invaluable to immigrant communities in America.
In Philadelphia, members of the Venezuelan community gathered for a special service at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul following Maduro’s capture. Many carried Venezuelan flags and prayer beads or wore jerseys of the national soccer team.
“We wanted to do it at the church so people would feel comfortable, protected,” said Arianne Bracho, vice president of Casa de Venezuela Philadelphia. “This is regarded as a space of reconciliation. This was a gathering to reaffirm our hope, our faith, to call on tranquility and calm.”
What American Churches Can Learn
Ministry leaders suggest that American churches have much to learn from their Venezuelan brothers and sisters.
The Latino church’s approach to ministry emphasizes relationship over programming, community over individualism, and resilience over comfort. Rather than doing ministry “for” people, Venezuelan churches model doing ministry “with” people.
“The Anglo churches are not always ready for the stories Latinos bring to their doors,” observed Alejandro Aguilar, pastor of Iglesia Oasis in Crystal Lake, Illinois. When asked by other pastors how to reach Latino people, he advises simply: “Listen to the stories.”
The faith of Venezuelan immigrants also offers a powerful testimony about what truly matters. These believers lost careers, homes, savings, and security. Many crossed the treacherous Darién Gap — a 66-mile stretch of jungle between Colombia and Panama — and traveled through multiple countries facing gangs and cartels.
Yet their faith remained.
“People do not leave their country because they want to; they do so to flee hunger, violence, war, the lack of decent living conditions, the loss of a future,” Bishop Biord explained. “However, there are already more or less organized communities of Venezuelans in various host countries, providing new arrivals with guidance and help.”
Looking Forward
The future remains uncertain for many Venezuelan Christians in America. Immigration policy shifts could force returns to a homeland still controlled by Maduro loyalists. Economic pressures continue. The adjustment to American life never fully ends.
Yet faith endures.
“What’s our prayer now?” asked Juan Carlos Martinez. “We can ask for an easy transition, for justice, for the freedom to be happy again in Venezuela, for people to be reunited, for the church to be thriving again, like the church that I met when I was a kid.”
Until then, Venezuelan believers continue doing what they’ve always done: worshipping, serving, and sharing their faith — enriching every congregation fortunate enough to receive them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Venezuelans have fled their country?
Approximately 8 million Venezuelans have fled since 2014, making it the largest displacement crisis in Western Hemisphere history. About 1.2 million Venezuelans now live in the United States.
Where do most Venezuelan immigrants in the US live?
The largest Venezuelan communities are in South Florida (Miami area with 254,000), Orlando (127,000), and Texas (nearly 200,000). The city of Doral in Miami-Dade County has been nicknamed “Doralzuela” due to its large Venezuelan population.
How are Venezuelan Christians impacting American churches?
Church leaders report that Venezuelan immigrants have brought renewed passion, devotion, and commitment to congregations. Many describe it as a “revival,” noting that Venezuelan believers are especially hard-working and grateful due to what they’ve endured.
Why did Venezuelans leave their country?
Venezuelans fled due to economic collapse, political repression under the Chavez and Maduro governments, hyperinflation, food shortages, lack of medical care, and the loss of basic services. The crisis intensified dramatically from 2014 onward.
Are Hispanic churches growing in the United States?
Yes. Hispanic churches represent the fastest-growing evangelical segment in America. First-generation immigrants lead most Hispanic church plants, and these churches are drawing more unchurched believers and new converts than average.
What happened to Maduro in 2026?
In January 2026, Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces for alleged narcoterrorism. The capture brought celebration among Venezuelan communities but also uncertainty, as many immigrants had their Temporary Protected Status revoked.
How do Venezuelan churches serve their communities?
Venezuelan and Latino churches provide food distribution, ESL classes, immigration assistance, trauma recovery, and job training alongside spiritual ministry. They serve as community anchors, especially for immigrants who lack documentation.
What can American churches learn from Venezuelan Christians?
American churches can learn about resilience in hardship, passion for evangelism, relationship-focused ministry, and doing ministry “with” people rather than “for” them. Venezuelan believers model faith that has been tested and proven genuine.
Is evangelical Christianity growing in Latin America?
Yes. Evangelical Christianity has grown significantly across Latin America, particularly among the poor. Some researchers call it the region’s biggest social movement. This growth has now spread to the United States through immigration.
How can churches help Venezuelan immigrants?
Churches can welcome Venezuelan immigrants warmly, provide practical assistance without requiring documentation, offer Spanish-language services or translation, and integrate newcomers into congregational life rather than treating them as separate.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” — Matthew 25:35 (ESV)