‘Special’ chaplain for armed services

Adela Mendinelzo, 73, is reaching all ranks of the Colombian military through her own chaplaincy program, Enfermería Militar. Both officers and soldiers consider her their pastor. Bogotá, Colombia. Photo: UBS/Larry Jerden (COL01DJ-14.JPG)

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — When most people think of ministries to the army, navy and air force, they think of strong men sharing God’s Word with other strong men. Few picture a 73-year-old woman being welcomed as pastor to a nation’s armed forces.

But that is just the role that Adela Mendinelzo plays in Colombia. And she credits the Bible Society with much of her success.

“The Lord gave us the ministry 16 years ago after I was healed from cancer,” she says. “Just as Jesus told the blind to recover their sight, so he recovered my bones. I was already in Christian work, but he got me involved in the Battalion Military Ministry.”

And from the beginning she worked with the Bible Society. “Alfonso Corzo [the General Secretary] said he would help me,” she says. “And he has helped me ever since. The Bible Society has given me materials for 16 years, and the ministry has grown all that time.” It also provided human resources.

“The Bible Society promoter went with me to preach to the soldiers,” she says. “We would take a music group with us. We were very effective together.

“The army has had some problems accepting evangelicals,” she admits. “But, by the mercy of God, I have always been allowed to preach to the soldiers. I am now considered their pastor. God has given me complete liberty to preach anywhere I want. And I have witnessed to men in the highest ranks of the army.