Brothers of Brave Hope Reconstruct Venezuela with Help from the GLS (Part 1)

The country of Venezuela has been embroiled in political instability and economic turmoil for years, which has resulted in violent civil unrest. But two brothers, Jose and Alvaro Rea have become a source of hope by partnering with The Global Leadership Summit to bring leadership tools to equip people for transformation in their home country. And for Alvaro, GLS leader and pastor who still resides in Venezuela, bringing hope, fueled by bravery that he received through the Summit, has even come down to risking his life.

Reconstruction after turmoil.

“We’re watching Venezuela submerge itself in a continuous depression. Due to several factors, including high taxes and inflation, it is becoming much harder for people to live their day-to-day lives,” says Jose Rea, GLS leader for Venezuela. “That is why we currently have an emigration problem where more than 5 million people have left the country.”

Jose and Alvaro are on a mission to provide tools and a sense of desire to those still in Venezuela so they may continue to have hope during these tough situations. “If everyone feels as if it is possible to restore a nation, it doesn’t matter how difficult the situation is in which we find ourselves,” Jose explains. “We know that one day, the reconstruction will come, and it will be those in Venezuela who will need the strength to help the nation rise up again.”

The Church is the hope of the world.

One of the primary beliefs that drives the Reas is that the church is the hope of the world when it is working right. “We believe that the church is the hope for a country like Venezuela,” says Alvaro. “By fortifying the leadership within both the church and business, this will help spur on reconstruction that is to come.”

By fortifying the leadership within both the church and business, this will help spur on reconstruction that is to come.

The Reas explained that many people, including those who continue to spur on the church and business, tend to feel a lot of fear when looking at the future, and as a result, they become depressed. This is where The Global Leadership Summit comes in, encouraging people in the midst of dire circumstances. “Doing that which is right in the eyes of God, coupled with using the abilities He has given us, will allow us to have a better tomorrow,” says Alvaro. “When the people hear this, they always say, I want that. I want to do that.”

The Summit provides an infusion of hope and courage.

“Through the GLS, the church has realized it is playing a massive role in the crucial moment our country finds itself in. Summit attendees view themselves as representatives of hope and capable of doing something for their country,” says Jose. “A year ago, we were able to ship $30,000 worth of food to Venezuela, only for it to be decommissioned by the government. This depressed me deeply.”

After the last Summit, the brothers attempted yet again to ship even more resources to Venezuela from the US, and it was a success! “That is the effect I believe the Summit has,” says Jose. “It doesn’t matter what the adversity is; we’re going to keep on fighting and moving forward because right now, we are crucial to the reconstruction of our country.”

Alvaro explains how hope received at the Summit is crucial for the reconstruction of the country. “We are seeing men and women who, by embracing their faith and hope, have lifted themselves up through sheer bravery, which I believe to be a word that has played a fundamental role in the changes we have seen. People who have experienced defeat due to their problems and conflicts, such as economic hardships, are becoming reignited. New organizations are being created to help those most in need. Even governmental institutions throughout the nation are taking notice about how the church is feeding the poor, intervening in situations of injustice and raising its voice against corruption.”

Even governmental institutions throughout the nation are taking notice about how the church is feeding the poor, intervening in situations of injustice and raising its voice against corruption.

It’s not possible without your support.

“All the results we’ve seen would have been impossible to attain without the help we’ve received from the Global Leadership Network,” Jose shares. “Their contributions and support to a country like Venezuela, which in the year 2000 was the richest nation in all Latin America, and now is the poorest, has shown how their help is crucial and fundamental to our progress.”

For Alvaro, the infusion of hope and bravery he received at the Summit became very personal for him when he was challenged to enter a riot, and bring peace amongst the turmoil. (Read his personal account of what happened that day in 2017 in part two.)