Latest news with #TulaneUniversity
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Walking This Many Steps Per Day Can Cut Your Risk Of Early Death
You don't necessarily need to get 10,000 steps each day to see health benefits, according to research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The meta-analysis, which analyzed data from 17 studies and 226,889 people, underscores the importance of walking any amount — even if it seems small. The authors found that walking 3,967 steps or more each day reduced the risk of death from any cause. Walking 2,337 or more steps each day lowered the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, which includes both heart disease and stroke. Researchers also discovered that walking 1,000 more steps each day saw a 15% lower risk of all-cause mortality and that increasing walks by 500 steps each day brought a 7% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. All of this is a welcome piece of news as most people struggle to hit that 10,000-step goal. 'The problem has been that the recommended 10,000 steps per day and the definition of physical inactivity of less than 5,000 steps per day has been really difficult for most patients to achieve ... it almost leads to a sense of fatalism that many members of the public feel that they can't reach these recommendations,' said Dr. Keith Ferdinand, the chair of preventative cardiology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. The research 'does not mean that the 10,000 steps per day recommendation is wrong, it just gives the public some confidence that moderate activity is better than none,' said Ferdinand, who was not affiliated with the study. In fact, the more you walk, the better your well-being. The research found that people who walked more steps had the lowest risk of premature mortality. Specifically, those who walked 20,000 steps or more each day. 'If you can't achieve 10,000 steps per day, don't despair. Some activity is better than none. But then, on the other hand, if you can safely achieve those 10,000 steps per day, you may even have greater benefit in terms of mortality,' Ferdinand added. 'The American Heart Association suggests 150 minutes of moderate activity, and it's not just getting those 10,000 steps. It could be things that we often don't think of as exercise,' Ferdinand said. This includes moderate housekeeping, gardening, walking with your kids and walking your dog, he said. 'It doesn't have to be a purposeful going to a gym or purposeful walking program, but being physically active for that 150 minutes ... appears to be healthy,' Ferdinand explained. But if you do want to go for a walk, he said consider going with a buddy for safety's sake and be sure to be mindful of the weather — it has been a hot summer throughout much of the country, which can be dangerous for walkers. You can try talking a walk inside of a shopping mall or around an unused basketball court at you local community center, he said. You can also consider walking up and down the stairs in your house, creating a loop to walk inside your home or visiting a grocery store for a stroll. Ferdinand said that after reading the study, his focus is on motivating people 60 and older to get out for a walk since one of the steepest benefits was seen when study participants got in 6,000 to 10,000 steps per day. Whatever you decide to do, it's clear that movement of any sort is valuable. 'More is better, but some is better than none,' Ferdinand noted. Though a lower-than-expected daily step count resulted in a benefit in terms of cardiovascular health and overall mortality risks, this does not mean you should cut yourself off once you hit that lower number. 'We want to make sure the lay public who gets this information from this meta-analysis doesn't get the unintended consequence of 'Well, I can just do 2,000 steps or 4,000 steps and call it a day.' If you can do more safely and in an environment which has some degree of comfort, then that is even better,' Ferdinand said. Looking for the best walking shoes? These comfy shoes keep older folks in mind with features like orthopedic support, roomy toe boxes and Velcro straps, and they're recommended by podiatrists. HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products below unless otherwise noted. Amazon Perkins recommended this Adidas option, which is made from recycled plastics and has supportive interior padding and great grip on the sole. It comes in men's sizes 4-17 and in multiple colors, including black, orange, black/purple, gray/mint and white. It has a sock-like fit and a "boosting" feature, a super responsive midsole that makes it easier to take steps. Promising review: "Extraordinarily comfortable shoe. I have flat feet, getting older with hip creaks here and there. My legs and joints feel great when wearing these shoes. Ultraboost is impressive stuff." — Amazon customer $49+ at Amazon Amazon This Dr. Comfort shoe checked off multiple boxes on Perkins' list of things to look for when buying a shoe for older adults, including its spacious toe box, lightweight design and Velcro strap. "The most common complaint I hear from my senior patients is that a shoe is too heavy for them to wear comfortably. Any no-tie, slip-on or Velcro design that allows easy on and easy off is also great for seniors who have a hard time bending over," she said. The adjustable strap closure allows you to get a more customized fit. The design also has a protective toe box that can help prevent pain from toe stubbing. It comes in white and pink and in women's sizes 4-12 with wide and extra-wide review: "I have problems with width in shoes. This fits better than expected. Comfortable in toe box and I even have a skip in my step thanks to the heel shock absorbing the bounce. Easy to put on with the velcro strap as the sole support to hold the shoe in place. Do not skip owning these shoes!" — snoopymaven $119.90 at Amazon Vionic Stamped with the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, this Vionic shoe is another recommendation from Perkins. It's breathable, has a podiatrist-designed footbed, cushioned outsole and a rubber outsole built for steady traction. It comes in several color options and is available in women's sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-14. Promising review: "I received Vionic sneakers for Christmas. I wear a wide with in shoes and was skeptical that the shoes would fit well. I wore them for one day and noticed a marked decrease in my hip pain. I am thrilled with these shoes." — jrg Women's: $109.95 at Vionic Men's: $109.95 at Vionic Amazon Available in multiple colors, including blue, pink, maroon, gray and black, this walking shoe has a cushioned footbed and orthotic insole designed to help those with various foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis. It also has a roomy toe box for added comfort and bunion and hammertoe relief. "The slip-on design makes it perfect for seniors who have a hard time bending over to tie a shoe or for those with arthritis in the hands who find difficulty with tying laces," Perkins comes in women's sizes 5-12, with narrow, wide and extra-wide and extra-extra-wide review: "I bought these walking shoes for my sister's birthday. She just turned 69 years old last week and she called me today to say that she thought these shoes were the best shoes she had ever put on. She has bad feet and see's a podiatrist on a regular schedule. She said she can wear them all day and not feel any foot pain." — Tony A. $132.95 at Amazon Zappos Dr. Mireille Blanchette, a board-certified podiatrist based in New Jersey, recommended this lace-up Skechers sneaker because of its comfort and the fact that it's machine washable to help prevent bacteria buildup. "Elders can sometimes develop foot fungus because they might not always be able to clean well between the toes and that can create a great environment for fungus," she shoe is designed with a pull tab on the back to make it easier to put on and take off and is lined in breathable fabric to promote air circulation. It comes in multiple colors and in women's sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-15, both with wide options available. Promising review: "Bought these shoes for my mom. She needed something with good support that was energizing and helped with footing and movement. These shoes did the job. Her footing, posture and movement have improved tremendously. I bought them for her because I own a pair and have excellent wear with them." — Mom Women's: $49.87+ at Zappos Men's: $59.96+ at Zappos Amazon Blanchette also recommended this Velcro strap Orthofeet shoe, which comes with an adjustable arch booster you can add to increase arch support and several layers of supreme cushioning for maximum comfort. The shoe is also made of a stretchy knit fabric that's made to conform to your foot shape for a more personalized fit. It comes in black and gray and in women's sizes 5-12, with wide, extra-wide and extra-extra-wide options available. Promising review: "This shoe was purchased with my 90 yr old Mother in mind. She wanted something light weight , but sturdy & supportive, easy to put on, equally so to take off. She just didn't want a pair of typical clunky tennis shoes. These have met her every expectation!" — GlitzyGiGi $124.95 at Amazon Zappos For a shoe that offers stability and supportive cushioning, look no further than this New Balance shoe recommended by Dr. Gary Evans, a podiatrist based in New York City. It has a breathable lining, durable rubber outsole and a footbed that provides proper cushioning and arch support. It comes in black, gray and navy and in women's sizes 5-13 and men's sizes 7-16. Promising review: "This is my 8th pair of 990's! Wife and I are "exercise walkers". We are now older and are x-triathletes. Aerobic paced walking of 3-7 miles per day is what we enjoy. My 990's are fantastic for preventing injuries and providing a comfortable walk." — No N Women's: $184.95 at Zappos Men's: $184.95 at Zappos Zappos This lace-up shoe is made of breathable mesh and has a removable Skechers Arch Fit insole. It comes recommended by Evans and even has a podiatrist-designed shape to give you the most comfortable fit for all-day wear. The Skechers Glide-Step feature helps to give you a natural momentum as you take each step. It comes in multiple colors and in women's sizes 5.5-11 and men's sizes review: "Absolutely the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I have diabetic neuropathy, and finding a comfortable shoe has been a ongoing quest. Sketchers has always been the most comfortable, but these "Glide Step" shoes are more comfortable than my bedroom slippers. What more can I say." — Anonymous Women's: $89.95+ at Amazon Men's: $44.94 at Zappos Amazon This classic, minimalist walking shoe recommended by Evans has all the features your feet need to stay comfy throughout the day, including a lightweight insole, rubber soles for good grip and a full-grain leather upper. It comes in white and black and in women's sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-14, both with wide options available. Promising review: "I love these shoes. The support for the foot and ankle is extraordinary. My legs don't feel fatigued when I wear these shoes. My back and hips don't hurt either. I have rheumatoid arthritis, a repaired tendon in my knee and a small tear in an ankle (I know right...) but these shoes make me feel well supported when walking and comfortable. I highly recommend." — Aunie Women's: $75.25+ at Amazon Men's: $69.95+ at Amazon How Much You Need To Walk Every Day To Cut Your Risk Of Heart Disease New Study Reveals These 8 Habits Can Add 20-Plus Years To Your Life You're Probably Working Out Harder Than You Need To Be
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mississippi River loses most of its sediment, and land-building ability, before reaching the Gulf
Tulane University graduate student Augustine Nwokoye removes a water sample from the PS 200 isokinetic sediment sampler in the Lower Mississippi River Delta on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Stacey Plaisance/Tulane University) NEW ORLEANS, La. – Mississippi River ships and barges carry over 500 million tons of cargo through the Southwest Pass shipping channel at the river's end to reach major ports that handle 18% of U.S. waterborne commerce. For almost 100 years, levees and other human-made flood control structures have lined the banks of the river, obstructing its land-building silt, sand and clay from naturally rebuilding land along coastal Louisiana. That sediment is essential to rebuilding — or at this point, maintaining — the fragile coastline that has been receding for decades. Without it, the small towns that dot the lower part of the Louisiana Gulf Coast are left exposed, with no protection against storm surges and hurricane-strength winds. But to reverse coastal erosion, scientists found that they first had to understand where sediment that could be used to rebuild settles instead. Most of the year, less than 10% of the river's sediment reaches the critical Bird's Foot Delta, according to scientists from the Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative, known as MissDelta. The bird's foot —at the southernmost reach of the river system that juts into the Gulf of Mexico — plays a vital role in coastal protection, navigation, fisheries and energy infrastructure. In 2023, MissDelta launched a $22 million, five-year research project spearheaded by Tulane University and Louisiana State University, and funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The study aims to evaluate the Delta and Southwest Pass, the critical navigation channel, with hopes of finding management approaches that will benefit both the delicate ecosystem and the people who live and work in the delta region, including fishers, charter-boat operators, offshore workers, shipyard builders, mechanics and petrochemical-facility operators. During the first year-and-a-half of the study, researchers measured discharge by plunging a 200-pound sampler into the river at various depths. By tracking sediment from the sampler, the team can measure how much settles in the wetlands upriver versus how much exits into the deepwater Gulf, said Claire Kemick, a Tulane graduate student working to collect the samples. The study's early findings, announced at Louisiana's State of the Coast conference, show that the Mississippi River loses substantial amounts of water and sediment above what's called the Head of Passes, at the mouth of the river, where the Mississippi forms its distinct bird's foot by branching into three directions: the Southwest Pass shipping channel (west), Pass A Loutre (east) and South Pass (center). That means the Bird's Foot Delta is headed toward further degradation, after losing ground for decades, said Mead Allison, co-lead of MissDelta and a professor in Tulane's Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering. Above the Head of Passes, substantial amounts of sediment carried by the Mississippi River are lost through both natural and manmade channels, such as the rapidly expanding Neptune Pass near Buras, Louisiana, in lower Plaquemines Parish. But most is lost well before then. Using data on sediment movement, the team can calibrate models to predict what will happen to the delta by 2100 under different scenarios, with varied sea-level rise, storm frequency and river-flow fluctuations. Once the researchers develop the models, they will use them to test various interventions that could save the delta, such as closing river exits and changing water-flow patterns. In the fall, the MissDelta team will return to lower Plaquemines Parish to study the saltwater wedge that creeps up the river during low flow periods. For three years in a row, the wedge of heavy salt water has crept up the river underneath the fresh water, imperiling drinking water in the greater New Orleans area. The goal is to find management approaches that can help build up this region, which Allison has called one of the most threatened places in the nation, if not on Earth. But they cannot forge management solutions without an understanding of how the muddy Mississippi carries its load of sandy sediment in the lower delta. 'Right now, we don't know very much about where the sediment is in the Lower Mississippi River,' Kemick said. Further research will help determine where the coarse sand is settling in the riverbed. Sediment loss is especially high during low or average river flow, when the water is traveling slowly enough to allow the heavy sand particles to sink to the bottom. When the river floods, the faster-moving river brings sand from throughout the drainage basin to Louisiana. But it doesn't necessarily help to build up the Bird's Foot area. Instead, it falls out in the channel, creating a need for more dredging to maintain the ship route. The Mississippi River's sediment is an important resource for coastal restoration, Allison said. 'Sand is white gold for Louisiana. We need to keep it.' The Louisiana Coastal Master Plan was built upon this principle, with an ambitious plan for a sediment diversion, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, that would be one of the largest environmental infrastructure projects in the history of the U.S. But the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has suspended the permit to build the keystone project. On May 21, more than 50 Louisiana business and civic leaders sent a letter to Gov. Jeff Landry urging him to resume construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion at the size and scale it was designed and permitted for. 'These business and civic leaders are part of the backbone of Louisiana— people who live, work, and invest in this region every day,' said Simone Maloz, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. 'Delaying or downsizing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion threatens not just our coast, but our economy, our safety and our credibility as a state.' Conversations about the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion were absent from this year's State of the Coast conference, an interdisciplinary forum hosted by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. 'In some ways, I feel like Mid-Barataria is kind of haunting this conference,' said Alisha Renfro, a coastal scientist with the National Wildlife Federation. She is hopeful Louisiana can find a pathway to resume the project, after investing $500 million into planning. The state is also in danger of losing billions in federal funding if its leaders don't commit to finishing the construction. It may be time to look for alternative coastal restoration projects, some scientists say. For Allison, that means not only determining how the Mississippi River sediment moves now but also where dredged sand could best restore coastal wetlands like the Barataria Basin. Currently, dredge spoil used for coastal restoration remains relatively close to where it came from in the river. In the Barataria Basin, one project to restore approximately 302 acres of brackish marsh known as Bayou Grande Cheniere required nearly eight miles of pipes to move the sediment. Other solutions might involve closing gaps where sediment leaks out before reaching the Bird's Foot Delta. The Army Corps is essentially testing this theory now, Allison said, with its plan to reduce the flow at Neptune Pass, a nearby branch in the river that is creating new land in Quarantine Bay. The plan could boost land-building in the Barataria Basin, Allison said. While the Army Corps proposes using rocks to limit the size of the channel's entrance and minimize the risk of navigational hazards, the construction at the outflow could reinforce the crevasse's land-building power, he said. In addition to building sediment retention structures, the Army Corps could pump sand out of the river and place it directly at the outflow of the channel, allowing the water to redistribute it into a more natural wetland building pattern. 'It's really encouraging that the Corps is thinking about these forward-looking strategies to better use dredged material,' Allison said. This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri in partnership with Report for America, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation. It is reprinted here by permission.
San Francisco Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
How Evangelical pastors provide spiritual comfort in crisis-hit Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — 'Can I bring my gun into the worship service?' The question presented Venezuelan pastor Fernanda Eglé with a dilemma. Agreeing might have endangered parishioners at her evangelical church in Caracas. But what if dismissing the gang member pulled him farther from God? 'It was risky, but this was God's plan,' Eglé said. 'He knew these people's hearts, their need for change. So I created a 'service for criminals,' intending they would come.' Many pastors like Eglé provide spiritual guidance in Venezuelan slums affected by crime, drug addiction and gangs. Their task has proven challenging amid the 12-year crisis that stemmed from a drop in oil prices, corruption and government mismanagement. The economic collapse has forced millions to emigrate since Nicolás Maduro took power in 2013. And despite official claims of decreasing inflation levels in 2024, he declared an 'economic emergency' in April, granting himself powers to implement extraordinary measures. 'Working in these communities has been difficult,' Eglé said. 'But we need to keep up our work.' How big is the evangelical community in Venezuela? Reliable statistics are hard to come by since official figures have not been issued in more than a decade, but academic experts and community members contend the number of evangelicals in Venezuela has grown in recent decades, just as it has in other Latin American countries. The region's string of social, political and economic crises is a key driver of that growth, said David Smilde, professor of sociology at Tulane University in New Orleans. The second issue driving communities to evangelical churches might be the Catholic Church's priest shortage, which means fewer faith leaders are now serving larger groups of people, said Smilde. With less stringent rules for clergy, evangelical churches can more quickly step into that void. As for Venezuelans, many find themselves on the margins of survival. 'This is a context in which participation in evangelical churches can provide strength, focus and a social network for mutual support,' Smilde said. Despite the statistical void, the U.S. State Department's 2023 report on religious freedom estimated that 96% of the Venezuelan population is Catholic — though that may not reflect the rise in evangelicals. Sociologist Enrique Alí González estimates that the current religious affiliation would be 82%-84% Catholic and 10%-12% evangelical with other faiths accounting for the rest. He based those numbers on his own field work and data from one of the most recent demographic assessments, which was led by the Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas in 2016. A pastor's role among the people Like Eglé, pastor José Luis Villamizar encourages Venezuelans to embrace the Gospel as a path to change course. 'We have managed to get people who used to be hitmen away from that lifestyle,' Villamizar said. Also based in Caracas, Villamizar founded his evangelical church at his house during the pandemic. At first he ministered from a window. As lockdown receded, he took his work to the streets. Both he and Eglé visit elderly people and Venezuelans lacking basic care on a regular basis. Mostly dependent on donations or their savings, they deliver food, medicines and clothing. Prayers and religious lectures are followed by recreational activities, financial workshops and barbershop days. 'We joke around, we paint the women's nails, we try everything to make life a little easier,' Eglé said. 'To lift some of the burden of loneliness and depression.' A welcoming church At Eglé's sanctuary, gang members eventually agreed to leave their weapons at the entrance. 'I spoke to many of them and asked: What led you to this life?' Eglé said. 'And when they told me their stories, I wept with them.' Villamizar's congregation finds temporary homes for those willing to start over and embrace the Gospel. His team monitors their behavior. And like Eglé, he offers support until they find a job and regain self-reliance. 'If we don't help them get out of their situation, they'll end up in the same circumstances,' he said. Maduro has openly associated with evangelicals In 2023, the president launched a program called 'My well-equipped church' to improve evangelical churches with government funding. Some pastors accept the help. Others prefer to find their own means. Eglé recalled a contribution that helped her acquire chairs and a house that she later turned into a sanctuary. Villamizar opted to remain fully independent. 'They have offered us help, but if the church of God gets tangled in politics, one ends up in debt,' he said. 'I prefer Him to provide and, to this day, He has fulfilled.' Maduro's outreach to evangelical groups has had little effect on gaining the president more supporters, said Smilde. Politicians are mistaken if they think the structure of independent evangelical churches mirror the hierarchical nature of the Catholic Church, he added. 'The possibilities for politically mobilizing evangelicals is widely misunderstood in Venezuela and consistently overestimated,' Smilde said. 'A year ago there was a lot of concern in Venezuela about Maduro's outreach to evangelicals being a factor in the election, but it was not, despite considerable effort on his part.' What Venezuelans find in their evangelical church Israel Guerra was raised Catholic, but a spiritual crisis led him to become evangelical. 'I made the transition because in Catholicism I never felt supported nor that God loved me,' said Guerra, who attends a Caracas megachurch. He, too, has noticed the expansion of evangelical churches in Venezuela and says people find them approachable. 'More than being places listing rules to enter heaven, they're a place of refuge,' he said. 'They are safe places for the poor and the rich alike, for former gang members and entrepreneurs.' Not all congregations are as open or welcoming, said Génesis Díaz, born to evangelical pastors in a church requiring its members to follow strict rules. But their proliferation is nonetheless evident to her. As a missionary and Christian content creator visiting Caracas congregations on a regular basis, Díaz said she has seen up to 20 evangelical churches in neighborhoods where a single Catholic church stands. 'Venezuela is a Christian, religious country,' she said. 'While there are things we have forgotten and bad people are around, there is a very strong awakening towards God.' ___
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Evangelical pastors provide spiritual comfort in crisis-hit Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — 'Can I bring my gun into the worship service?' The question presented Venezuelan pastor Fernanda Eglé with a dilemma. Agreeing might have endangered parishioners at her evangelical church in Caracas. But what if dismissing the gang member pulled him farther from God? 'It was risky, but this was God's plan,' Eglé said. 'He knew these people's hearts, their need for change. So I created a 'service for criminals,' intending they would come.' Many pastors like Eglé provide spiritual guidance in Venezuelan slums affected by crime, drug addiction and gangs. Their task has proven challenging amid the 12-year crisis that stemmed from a drop in oil prices, corruption and government mismanagement. The economic collapse has forced millions to emigrate since Nicolás Maduro took power in 2013. And despite official claims of decreasing inflation levels in 2024, he declared an 'economic emergency' in April, granting himself powers to implement extraordinary measures. 'Working in these communities has been difficult,' Eglé said. 'But we need to keep up our work.' How big is the evangelical community in Venezuela? Reliable statistics are hard to come by since official figures have not been issued in more than a decade, but academic experts and community members contend the number of evangelicals in Venezuela has grown in recent decades, just as it has in other Latin American countries. The region's string of social, political and economic crises is a key driver of that growth, said David Smilde, professor of sociology at Tulane University in New Orleans. The second issue driving communities to evangelical churches might be the Catholic Church's priest shortage, which means fewer faith leaders are now serving larger groups of people, said Smilde. With less stringent rules for clergy, evangelical churches can more quickly step into that void. As for Venezuelans, many find themselves on the margins of survival. 'This is a context in which participation in evangelical churches can provide strength, focus and a social network for mutual support,' Smilde said. Despite the statistical void, the U.S. State Department's 2023 report on religious freedom estimated that 96% of the Venezuelan population is Catholic — though that may not reflect the rise in evangelicals. Sociologist Enrique Alí González estimates that the current religious affiliation would be 82%-84% Catholic and 10%-12% evangelical with other faiths accounting for the rest. He based those numbers on his own field work and data from one of the most recent demographic assessments, which was led by the Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas in 2016. A pastor's role among the people Like Eglé, pastor José Luis Villamizar encourages Venezuelans to embrace the Gospel as a path to change course. 'We have managed to get people who used to be hitmen away from that lifestyle,' Villamizar said. Also based in Caracas, Villamizar founded his evangelical church at his house during the pandemic. At first he ministered from a window. As lockdown receded, he took his work to the streets. Both he and Eglé visit elderly people and Venezuelans lacking basic care on a regular basis. Mostly dependent on donations or their savings, they deliver food, medicines and clothing. Prayers and religious lectures are followed by recreational activities, financial workshops and barbershop days. 'We joke around, we paint the women's nails, we try everything to make life a little easier,' Eglé said. 'To lift some of the burden of loneliness and depression.' A welcoming church At Eglé's sanctuary, gang members eventually agreed to leave their weapons at the entrance. 'I spoke to many of them and asked: What led you to this life?' Eglé said. 'And when they told me their stories, I wept with them.' Villamizar's congregation finds temporary homes for those willing to start over and embrace the Gospel. His team monitors their behavior. And like Eglé, he offers support until they find a job and regain self-reliance. 'If we don't help them get out of their situation, they'll end up in the same circumstances,' he said. Maduro has openly associated with evangelicals In 2023, the president launched a program called 'My well-equipped church' to improve evangelical churches with government funding. Some pastors accept the help. Others prefer to find their own means. Eglé recalled a contribution that helped her acquire chairs and a house that she later turned into a sanctuary. Villamizar opted to remain fully independent. 'They have offered us help, but if the church of God gets tangled in politics, one ends up in debt,' he said. 'I prefer Him to provide and, to this day, He has fulfilled.' Maduro's outreach to evangelical groups has had little effect on gaining the president more supporters, said Smilde. Politicians are mistaken if they think the structure of independent evangelical churches mirror the hierarchical nature of the Catholic Church, he added. 'The possibilities for politically mobilizing evangelicals is widely misunderstood in Venezuela and consistently overestimated,' Smilde said. 'A year ago there was a lot of concern in Venezuela about Maduro's outreach to evangelicals being a factor in the election, but it was not, despite considerable effort on his part.' What Venezuelans find in their evangelical church Israel Guerra was raised Catholic, but a spiritual crisis led him to become evangelical. 'I made the transition because in Catholicism I never felt supported nor that God loved me,' said Guerra, who attends a Caracas megachurch. He, too, has noticed the expansion of evangelical churches in Venezuela and says people find them approachable. 'More than being places listing rules to enter heaven, they're a place of refuge,' he said. 'They are safe places for the poor and the rich alike, for former gang members and entrepreneurs.' Not all congregations are as open or welcoming, said Génesis Díaz, born to evangelical pastors in a church requiring its members to follow strict rules. But their proliferation is nonetheless evident to her. As a missionary and Christian content creator visiting Caracas congregations on a regular basis, Díaz said she has seen up to 20 evangelical churches in neighborhoods where a single Catholic church stands. 'Venezuela is a Christian, religious country,' she said. 'While there are things we have forgotten and bad people are around, there is a very strong awakening towards God.' ____ María Teresa Hernández reported from Mexico City. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Hamilton Spectator
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
How Evangelical pastors provide spiritual comfort in crisis-hit Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — 'Can I bring my gun into the worship service?' The question presented Venezuelan pastor Fernanda Eglé with a dilemma. Agreeing might have endangered parishioners at her evangelical church in Caracas. But what if dismissing the gang member pulled him farther from God? 'It was risky, but this was God's plan,' Eglé said. 'He knew these people's hearts, their need for change. So I created a 'service for criminals,' intending they would come.' Many pastors like Eglé provide spiritual guidance in Venezuelan slums affected by crime, drug addiction and gangs . Their task has proven challenging amid the 12-year crisis that stemmed from a drop in oil prices , corruption and government mismanagement . The economic collapse has forced millions to emigrate since Nicolás Maduro took power in 2013. And despite official claims of decreasing inflation levels in 2024, he declared an 'economic emergency' in April, granting himself powers to implement extraordinary measures. 'Working in these communities has been difficult,' Eglé said. 'But we need to keep up our work.' How big is the evangelical community in Venezuela? Reliable statistics are hard to come by since official figures have not been issued in more than a decade, but academic experts and community members contend the number of evangelicals in Venezuela has grown in recent decades, just as it has in other Latin American countries. The region's string of social, political and economic crises is a key driver of that growth, said David Smilde, professor of sociology at Tulane University in New Orleans. The second issue driving communities to evangelical churches might be the Catholic Church's priest shortage, which means fewer faith leaders are now serving larger groups of people, said Smilde. With less stringent rules for clergy, evangelical churches can more quickly step into that void. As for Venezuelans, many find themselves on the margins of survival. 'This is a context in which participation in evangelical churches can provide strength, focus and a social network for mutual support,' Smilde said. Despite the statistical void, the U.S. State Department's 2023 report on religious freedom estimated that 96% of the Venezuelan population is Catholic — though that may not reflect the rise in evangelicals. Sociologist Enrique Alí González estimates that the current religious affiliation would be 82%-84% Catholic and 10%-12% evangelical with other faiths accounting for the rest. He based those numbers on his own field work and data from one of the most recent demographic assessments, which was led by the Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas in 2016. A pastor's role among the people Like Eglé, pastor José Luis Villamizar encourages Venezuelans to embrace the Gospel as a path to change course. 'We have managed to get people who used to be hitmen away from that lifestyle,' Villamizar said. Also based in Caracas, Villamizar founded his evangelical church at his house during the pandemic. At first he ministered from a window. As lockdown receded, he took his work to the streets. Both he and Eglé visit elderly people and Venezuelans lacking basic care on a regular basis. Mostly dependent on donations or their savings, they deliver food, medicines and clothing. Prayers and religious lectures are followed by recreational activities, financial workshops and barbershop days. 'We joke around, we paint the women's nails, we try everything to make life a little easier,' Eglé said. 'To lift some of the burden of loneliness and depression.' A welcoming church At Eglé's sanctuary, gang members eventually agreed to leave their weapons at the entrance. 'I spoke to many of them and asked: What led you to this life?' Eglé said. 'And when they told me their stories, I wept with them.' Villamizar's congregation finds temporary homes for those willing to start over and embrace the Gospel. His team monitors their behavior. And like Eglé, he offers support until they find a job and regain self-reliance. 'If we don't help them get out of their situation, they'll end up in the same circumstances,' he said. Maduro has openly associated with evangelicals In 2023, the president launched a program called 'My well-equipped church' to improve evangelical churches with government funding. Some pastors accept the help. Others prefer to find their own means. Eglé recalled a contribution that helped her acquire chairs and a house that she later turned into a sanctuary. Villamizar opted to remain fully independent. 'They have offered us help, but if the church of God gets tangled in politics, one ends up in debt,' he said. 'I prefer Him to provide and, to this day, He has fulfilled.' Maduro's outreach to evangelical groups has had little effect on gaining the president more supporters, said Smilde. Politicians are mistaken if they think the structure of independent evangelical churches mirror the hierarchical nature of the Catholic Church, he added. 'The possibilities for politically mobilizing evangelicals is widely misunderstood in Venezuela and consistently overestimated,' Smilde said. 'A year ago there was a lot of concern in Venezuela about Maduro's outreach to evangelicals being a factor in the election , but it was not, despite considerable effort on his part.' What Venezuelans find in their evangelical church Israel Guerra was raised Catholic, but a spiritual crisis led him to become evangelical. 'I made the transition because in Catholicism I never felt supported nor that God loved me,' said Guerra, who attends a Caracas megachurch. He, too, has noticed the expansion of evangelical churches in Venezuela and says people find them approachable. 'More than being places listing rules to enter heaven, they're a place of refuge,' he said. 'They are safe places for the poor and the rich alike, for former gang members and entrepreneurs.' Not all congregations are as open or welcoming, said Génesis Díaz, born to evangelical pastors in a church requiring its members to follow strict rules. But their proliferation is nonetheless evident to her. As a missionary and Christian content creator visiting Caracas congregations on a regular basis, Díaz said she has seen up to 20 evangelical churches in neighborhoods where a single Catholic church stands. 'Venezuela is a Christian, religious country,' she said. 'While there are things we have forgotten and bad people are around, there is a very strong awakening towards God.' ____ María Teresa Hernández reported from Mexico City. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
