Beloved California pastor Romildo Delima tragically died while celebrating his birthday with his wife in Venezuela after a devastating earthquake struck, leaving his family, church, and friends in mourning. The 69-year-old leader of Worship Church Ministries in Riverside, California, had traveled to Venezuela with his wife, Carlha Nacarid, to mark his birthday on June 21, 2026. Three days later, twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela, causing widespread destruction.
Wall Collapse Kills Pastor, Injures Wife
“In a matter of seconds, everything changed. During the earthquake, a wall collapsed on them. Romildo was rescued and taken to the hospital, but despite every effort, he did not survive,” his family and niece, Luciene Ferreira, wrote in a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser has already raised over $20,000 to support medical expenses and repatriation efforts. Carlha survived but suffered severe injuries, including two broken legs and a fractured pelvis. “She will undergo the surgeries she urgently needs in Venezuela, and the funds raised will also help cover the medical expenses associated with her treatment and recovery,” the family added.
Hotel Collapse and Community Grief
Miguel Gonzalez-Mateo, a close friend and fellow pastor, told CBS LA that the hotel where the couple stayed in Caracas collapsed. One of Delima’s sons confirmed his father was struck by a falling wall. “We will miss him all the time. He’s like a best friend for me,” Gonzalez-Mateo said. “We feel so sad in all the congregation. We must pray for the family.” Delima, remembered for his “compassion, humility, and unwavering love,” leaves behind three grandchildren.
Repatriation to Brazil
His family is now working to repatriate his body to Brazil, where he wished to be buried beside his mother. “His final wish, and his family’s wish, is for him to be laid to rest in Brazil, beside his mother and surrounded by the rest of his family. Bringing him home has become an overwhelming financial burden during an already unimaginable time,” they explained. The family noted that despite reaching out to government agencies for help, they received little support. “We have spent the last several days desperately trying every possible avenue for help… Sadly, despite all of our efforts, we have not received the support we were praying for. It is incredibly difficult for our family to ask for help, but today we have no other choice,” they said.
Widespread Devastation in Venezuela
Nearly 2,000 people have been confirmed dead since the quakes struck Venezuela on June 24, leaving communities across the country devastated. The tragedy has drawn widespread sympathy and support amid the disaster.
