Pastor and writer Darío Silva-Silva, founder of the Casa Sobre la Roca church, has died

Pastor and writer Darío Silva-Silva, founder of the Casa Sobre la Roca church, has died. The Christian community in Colombia mourns the loss of Silva-Silva, a recognized theologian, writer, former journalist, and founder of the Iglesia Cristiana Integral Casa Sobre la Roca. The official announcement was made by the church’s leadership through a statement released on September 6, 2026. The statement from Casa Sobre la Roca reads: “Casa Sobre la Roca Iglesia Cristiana Integral informs with deep sorrow of the passing of its founder, Pastor Darío Silva-Silva, who dedicated his life to the service of God, teaching the Word, and providing spiritual accompaniment to thousands of families in Colombia and around the world.” The message, signed in Bogotá by the church’s governing body, highlights the impact of Silva-Silva's work over the years and emphasizes that “his life was devoted to proclaiming Jesus Christ, forming disciples, and delivering a message of faith, hope, and transformation.” The church requested the public and media to rely solely on official channels of Casa Sobre la Roca for information regarding funeral honors. Specific dates and locations for farewell ceremonies and other commemorative events will be announced later. Before becoming one of the most influential religious figures in Colombia, Silva-Silva had a long career in journalism and public life during the 1960s and 1970s. He worked actively as a journalist, communicator, and political analyst in print, radio, and television, known for his eloquence and mastery of language. However, after a profound personal experience of faith in the late 1970s, Silva-Silva decided to shift his professional focus toward theology and pastoral work. In 1987, he founded the Casa Sobre la Roca church in Bogotá, which grew into one of the largest and most influential Christian congregations in the country, with branches in several Colombian cities and abroad. In addition to his role as a preacher and communicator, Silva-Silva distinguished himself as an essayist and prolific author. Throughout his career, he published more than a dozen books focused on theology, social ethics, socio-political analysis from a biblical perspective, and personal growth. Among his notable works are El reto del cambio, Las llaves del poder, Sexualidad, amor y erotismo, and El Dios de la historia. The causes of Silva-Silva’s death have not been specified yet. Church leaders reiterated their gratitude to the public for the solidarity shown and indicated that the schedule for funeral honors would be announced shortly. Ex-prosecutor Viviane Morales, a member of the Casa Sobre la Roca church, expressed her condolences for Silva-Silva’s passing. She wrote: “Speaking of Pastor Darío Silva is remembering that his ministry marked a before and after in the Christian church in Colombia. His preaching filled with intelligence and erudition, like that of a Paul of these times, opened spaces that were closed to the Gospel in this country. His compassion and love for those suffering reached thousands. God blessed me with his advice, presence, and support in crucial moments of my life and family. My eternal love and gratitude to his memory.” On September 2, President Abelardo De La Espriella announced his first cabinet reshuffle, stating that Viviane Morales would resign from the Ministry of Education starting September 7. In her place, Ilva Myriam Hoyos will take over. According to De La Espriella, Morales resigned due to a personal matter she needed to address urgently. In a letter to the president, Morales wrote: “As I had the opportunity to tell you personally in recent days, an unexpected family situation requires my immediate presence and full attention. That circumstance makes it impossible to fulfill the dedication required by the responsibility entrusted to me and obliges me to submit an irrevocable resignation from the position of Minister of Education starting September 7.” Hoyos, who replaces Morales, is a well-known figure in politics and academia. She holds a law degree from the Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario and has doctorates in Jurisprudence from the same university and in Law from the University of Navarra in Spain. She has taught at several universities, including the Gran Colombia, Universidad del Rosario, Santo Tomás, Universidad Externado, and Universidad de la Sabana, where she served as director of the Institute of Humanities and dean of the Faculty of Law. One of her most notable roles was as deputy prosecutor for the Defense of Children, Adolescents, and Families while Alejandro Ordóñez headed that corporation from the end of 2008 until 2016. During that time, she had several conflicts with non-governmental organizations defending the LGBTIQ+ community. Hoyos has also written several books, including De la dignidad y los derechos humanos, Las personas y sus derechos, and La libertad religiosa en la Constitución de 1991. So far, Hoyos has not commented on her new role leading the Ministry of Education, though some individuals have already expressed opinions about her appointment. Jorge Iván Cuervo, former Justice Minister under Gustavo Petro, stated that Hoyos held “very reactionary and hostile positions against women’s rights.” In contrast, De La Espriella praised Hoyos, saying she has “taste, strength, honesty, and firm defense of values preceding her. I am sure she will be a great minister and serve Colombia with commitment, character, and conviction.” President De La Espriella expressed his feelings about Morales’ departure in a message on his social media. He wrote: “Today I am appointing Dr. Ilva Myriam Hoyos as Minister of National Education. Her taste, strength, honesty, and firm defense of values precede her. I am confident she will be a great minister and serve Colombia with dedication, character, and conviction.” He also added: “At the same time, I bid farewell with nostalgia to my dear friend Viviane Morales. God’s decrees are inscrutable, and she must leave us early to face a personal situation that I sincerely hope she can resolve soon. Viviane leaves with my gratitude, affection, and prayers. The doors of this government and my friendship will always remain open for her. Until soon, dear Viviane. Welcome, Minister Ilva Myriam. May God bless both of you and always accompany you.” Morales had already formed much of her team. On August 12, she appointed two people to lead the two vice-ministeries of her portfolio: Camilo Noguera Pardo, heading the Higher Education Vice-Ministry, and Gledy María Foliaco Rebolledo, leading the Early Childhood, Basic, and Secondary Education Vice-Ministry. Morales explained in a letter to De La Espriella that the reason for her resignation was a personal matter. She wrote: “The Bible says man makes plans, but the word final is with the Lord. Today I understand more than ever the truth contained in this proverb. As I had the chance to tell you personally in recent days, an unexpected family situation demands my presence and full attention immediately. That circumstance makes it impossible to fulfill the dedication required by the responsibility entrusted to me and obliges me to submit an irrevocable resignation from the position of Minister of Education starting September 7.” In response, De La Espriella wrote that he accepted her resignation “with regret, but also with the deep respect that such a decision deserves, taken from love, responsibility, and integrity that have always characterized you and that I have had the privilege of knowing firsthand for decades.” He continued: “I deeply regret that an unexpected family situation forces you to close this chapter prematurely. I know it was not an easy decision. I also know there are moments in life when any responsibility, however great and honorable, must yield to what is truly irreplaceable: family, affections, and being present with those we love.” He reminded Morales that the team she started building would continue the task with “seriousness and commitment.” He concluded: “I accompany you with all my affection, solidarity, and prayers. I ask God to give you the strength necessary to face this moment, bring peace to your heart, support your family, and that soon, when you look back, you can also understand the purpose of this difficult path.”