Argentina

Partner with Local Missionaries in Argentina

The second largest country in South America after Brazil, Argentina is located in the southeastern portion of South America where it borders the South Atlantic Ocean. Its western border with Chile runs along the rugged Andes Mountain range.

Argentina is comprised of prairies, jungles, and a sparsely populated southern plateau, known as “Patagonia.” Its climate ranges from temperate to arid to subantarctic in the southwest. The country claims sovereignty over part of Antarctica and boasts the second largest economy in South America. One third of its population lives in the capital city of Buenos Aires.

The largest ethnic group in Argentina are the Argentinian whites who are descendants of European immigrants, mostly from Italy and Spain. Between the 1870s and the 1940s, 6.6. million Europeans and Middle-Easterners migrated to Argentina. More than 60% of Argentina’s population have a least one Italian immigrant ancestor.

While Argentina is the third most populous country in South America, it has one of Latin America’s lowest population growth rates and an increasingly older population. Argentinians enjoy freedom of religion, and around 90% identify as Roman Catholic, though less than 20% are practicing. The country is home to the largest Muslim and Jewish communities in Latin America.

Reaching the “least of these” in Argentina

Christian Aid Mission assists several indigenous ministries based in Argentina who have led thousands of people to Christ. One ministry, which started in the early 90s as an evangelistic street outreach, has grown to include a radio broadcast, three Christian schools, and a Bible school. Every year, the ministry provides thousands of homeless people with blankets and hot meals. They publish and distribute gospel literature and have developed training and discipleship courses for native believers to grow in faith.

Other ministries have established dozens of house churches among poor ethnic minority groups like the Wichi people, considered the “the poorest of the poor,” who lack electricity, clean water, and medicine. They suffer high infant mortality rates due to malnutrition and disease. Secluded from society, many Wichi children die of starvation.

With assistance from Christian Aid Mission supporters, one ministry started “tent-making” businesses for Wichi believers, such as greenhouses, vegetable gardens, and brickmaking. The Wichi began selling flowers and produce in town. They started building brick houses. Before then, their houses, according to the ministry leader, “were precarious constructions of logs and branches with straw roofs without kitchens or toilets.”

With their earnings, the community built a center where children and adults can go to receive education and vocational training. “The miracle that evangelism brings about is not only in preparing people for life eternal, but also in raising their standard of living now,” the ministry leader said.

Indigenous ministries in Argentina request assistance to cover the costs of Bible correspondence courses and seminars to disciple and train new Wichi believers as missionaries and church-planters to their own people. In addition, they would like to provide Bibles and gospel materials to new congregations. Other needs include resources to continue running a feeding center for Wichi children where ministry workers teach children the Bible as they enjoy nutritious meals.

Sources: Joshua Project, CIA World Factbook, Human Rights Watch

45 million

Population

11%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Argentina

Pray that the people of Argentina would turn from empty religion to a real relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray for wisdom and resources for indigenous ministries who are ministering among ethnic minority groups that practice a syncretistic mix of animism and Roman Catholicism.
Pray that God would raise up more indigenous missionaries from among every ethnic group in Argentina and provide them with the training they need to be effective witnesses for Christ.

More stories from Argentina

Feed Impoverished Ethnic Children in Argentina

A ministry requests assistance with its feeding program for the children of an impoverished ethnic tribe. “Most of these people live in extreme poverty and suffer high infant mortality rates due to malnutrition and disease,” the ministry leader said. “Meals for their children create a bridge for the gospel, and they are receptive to it.” Your gift of $28 will feed a child for a month. Pray the needs of these families will be met. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37)

Assist With Discipleship Opportunities in Argentina

A local ministry regularly hosts a three-day program for believers to teach them how to plant a church. “In addition to the topics covered, they have the opportunity to apply what they have learned between sessions,” the ministry leader said. “This program seeks to equip planters with everything they need to grow a new church.” Help support such ministry work with a donation. Pray this work will bear fruit for the kingdom.

Make New Disciples for Jesus in Argentina

A local ministry leads a "Church Planters Institute" in which participants learn the necessary tools of church planting. Only those recommended by a local pastor are permitted to enroll in the year-long course, and they must also believe they have a calling from the Lord for such work. "Participants learn how to map an area where a church is planned to be planted and how to make an outreach strategy," the ministry leader said. During the course, the participants must also begin to put into practice what they learn. Your donations help provide such assistance for evangelism and discipleship.

Equip Gospel Messengers in Argentina

A local missionary crossed a dangerous river in a canoe also carrying his motorcycle, and after riding through jungle thick with foliage and wild animals for 10 hours, he spoke to a small congregation under some trees. “Many people, crying and broken, received Christ in their hearts after the message and evangelistic materials were delivered,” the ministry leader said. In another area, a 78-year-old man who received healing after a worker prayed for him put his faith in Christ. A native missionary also led a village chief and his wife to Christ, opening possibilities for others to be saved. Workers need donations of $25 or $50 for such evangelism and discipleship. Pray that new Christians will grow in love and knowledge.

Support Native Missionaries’ Gospel Work in Argentina

A married mother of four children who had gone to church activities only as a child and never accepted Christ recently began attending worship services. “Listening to the gospel, she realized her need for forgiveness and salvation,” the ministry leader said. “She has found in our congregation a place of refuge and love. She attends with her family and also attends marriage meetings with her husband, who is still unconverted.” Workers are trusting God will work in her family members’ lives as they proclaim Christ in groups for youths, men and women. Donations are sought for such gospel work. Pray workers will draw on God’s unlimited power to strengthen their spirits.

Help Send the Message of Redemption in Argentina

Native Christian workers are finding creative ways to bring the message of Christ’s salvation to women through such activities as conflict resolution workshops and breakfast meetings with non-Christians. One of the ministry’s congregations held a recent evangelistic event where 50 children and 20 adults heard the gospel and received biblical literature. The ministry recently mobilized its main church to fan out in the streets of Luján with the gospel, and 20 people put their faith in Christ. Workers need donations of $25 or $50 to share the gospel and disciple those who believe. Pray that new Christians will grow in knowledge and love.