By Gerson Orellana, ChangeMaker in Panama

My name is Gerson Orellana, and I have served in church planting and pastoral accompaniment across different contexts in Latin America, including Costa Rica, the Peruvian Andean highlands, and Panama. Within this ministerial framework, during the month of December, I undertook a pastoral accompaniment visit to Bolivia, with the purpose of listening and walking alongside pastors and leaders from our association, creating spaces for dialogue and support amid the everyday challenges of ministry.

This experience in Bolivia serves as an example of a type of pastoral accompaniment that I believe is necessary and valuable not only for one specific country, but also across other contexts in South America, where many pastors serve faithfully and sacrificially, often with limited opportunities to be intentionally heard and pastorally supported in a close and relational way.

The focus of this visit was not programmatic or structural, but relational. The goal was to foster safe and open spaces for honest conversation, where pastors could freely express their burdens, concerns, and ministry realities. Through attentive and respectful listening, conversations naturally moved beyond public ministry matters to include personal, family, and emotional aspects that are frequently carried quietly by those in pastoral leadership.

During one of these pastoral conversations, a local leader was able to open his heart with deep transparency, even reaching an emotional breaking point as he shared situations he had carried in silence for an extended time. Moments like these serve as a reminder that pastors are also human beings…called to serve, yet equally in need of care, understanding, and companionship along the journey. Scripture exhorts us clearly: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Rather than offering quick solutions, the emphasis was placed on being present, listening with empathy, and walking alongside one another in the process. This kind of pastoral accompaniment highlights the importance of clear, close, and healthy communication, where active listening not only brings understanding, but also strengthens trust, connection, and shared responsibility within the body of Christ.

Time spent together also allowed for a broader understanding of the ministerial context in which the work is taking place in Bolivia. There is a genuine love for the Gospel and a sincere commitment to serving God’s people, alongside challenges that are common to pastoral leadership throughout our region. This reality is not unique to Bolivia, but reflects a broader South American context, reinforcing the need for intentional pastoral visits focused on encouragement, presence, and long-term support.

The Word of God reminds us: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). This truth became evident throughout the visit, affirming that pastoral care extends beyond teaching and leadership, and includes the simple but powerful act of walking alongside one another, especially in seasons of weariness and strain.

This journey reaffirmed the conviction that close and consistent pastoral accompaniment is not a secondary element of ministry, but a real and necessary component for the spiritual and emotional health of those who serve. Investing time in listening, supporting, and strengthening pastors contributes not only to individual well-being, but also to the long-term stability and faithfulness of the work across the region.