The Worship Church Ministries family in Riverside County, California, is mourning the loss of a beloved pastor whose life was cut short during the catastrophic earthquakes that devastated parts of Venezuela, transforming what was meant to be a birthday celebration into an unimaginable tragedy.
Pastor Romildo Delima died after sustaining injuries when the hotel where he and his wife were staying was damaged during the powerful earthquakes, according to CBS Los Angeles. His wife survived the collapse but remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
According to CBS Los Angeles, the couple had traveled from Southern California to Brazil to visit relatives before continuing to Venezuela, where family members planned to celebrate Delima’s 69th birthday. Their trip was nearing its end when the earthquakes struck.
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CBS Los Angeles reported that a collapsing wall inside the hotel critically injured Delima. Although emergency responders transported him to a hospital alive, he later died from his injuries. His wife suffered a broken hip and a broken leg and underwent surgery.
For approximately 20 years, Delima faithfully led Worship Church Ministries in Riverside County, building a reputation as a pastor who invested deeply in the lives of those he served. Members of the congregation remember him as more than a preacher—they describe him as a trusted friend, counselor and spiritual father whose compassion reflected the heart of Christ.
“We will miss him all the time,” Pastor Miguel Gonzalez-Mateo told CBS Los Angeles. “He’s like a best friend for me.”
In the days following the tragedy, church members have gathered to honor Delima’s memory by sharing photographs, listening to saved voicemail messages and praying together for his family, CBS Los Angeles reported.
Pastor Romildo’s son told CBS Los Angeles that relatives are now working through the difficult process of securing visas so they can travel to Venezuela.
An online fundraiser has been established to help cover the cost of returning the pastor’s remains home, assist with his wife’s medical care and ease the financial burden facing the family during the crisis. On the family’s GoFundMe page, they noted that it is part of his final wish to be “laid to rest in Brazil, beside his mother and surrounded by the rest of his family.” So far, over $21,000 has been raised.
As Delima’s church continues to pray for his injured wife and support his family, his legacy of faithful ministry serves as a powerful testimony that a life surrendered to Christ leaves an eternal impact far beyond the years spent on earth. During their time of grief, lift up Delima’s family and friends in prayer right now.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
