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

Encourage New Believers Into Deeper Faith in Argentina

A man devastated by the unfaithfulness of his partner came to church at the invitation of his brother and heard the gospel. The next day, a ministry worker visited him to have a deeper conversation about Christ, and the man gave his life to the Lord and was baptized. Now, he regularly attends Bible studies and serves in the men’s ministry. Activities such as Bible studies for men and women that are organized by native ministries provide opportunities to grow deeper in relationship with Christ. Donations of $25 or $50 will help provide resources for such programs. Pray for opportunities for Christian workers to encourage and build connections with new believers.

Advance Christ’s Kingdom Into Remote Places in Argentina

By walking or via motorcycle, native missionaries with one ministry visited and evangelized in several rural communities, including in remote and inhospitable mountain villages. Through storms and hot weather, and undeterred by roads thickened with mud, these Christian workers preached Scripture, provided Bible training to local tribal leaders, and baptized and discipled new believers. “They always carry the precious Word of God to the unreached,” the ministry leader said. Donations support missionaries in their evangelism work. Pray that the Lord will sustain native workers in all circumstances.

Share the Joy of the Lord in Argentina

A 25-year-old blind woman suffered from depression because of her physical limitations. But one day, a native missionary visited her and shared the gospel. The woman gave her life to Christ and another woman from the local church immediately began to disciple her. Now, she is free of her depression, sings and serves in the church, and shares her testimony with her friends who are also blind. “She reports that now God has given her spiritual eyes,” the ministry leader said. Your donations support evangelism and discipleship. Pray that new believers will be provided the resources they need to deepen their faith in Jesus.

Lead The Lost To Jesus in Argentina

A prison guard at a women’s prison met Christian workers who came to the prison to lead a Bible study with the inmates. While the missionaries waited to be admitted into the chapel, they conversed with and, ultimately, shared the gospel with the guard. She admitted that her father read the Bible with her when she was a child, and through the conversation with the missionaries, she was reminded of the commandment to worship God. “Through tears, she prayed the prayer of faith,” the ministry leader said. “God is so good!” Your donations support Christian workers as they follow God’s lead. Pray they will persevere in their gospel work.

Join With Joyful Worshipers in Argentina

Pray the Word of God will encourage those who hear it. Women from a local ministry regularly visit senior adult homes in various neighborhoods to share the Word of God, lead recreational activities, and talk with and encourage those who live in the facilities. Recently, they organized an event entitled “Brave in Faith” that brought together 56 senior adults to fellowship, study Scripture, and sing. “I am happy when you come,” one resident wrote later to the ministry leader. “They [the women] tell us things about God, how God is with us in all the moments of our lives.” Your donations support outreach such as this.

Be the Generous Hands of Jesus in Argentina

Pray the poor and vulnerable will trust the Lord to provide for their needs. During a local ministry’s regular Bible study, missionaries also provide breakfast or dinner—depending on the time of day—to those in attendance, including children, young people, and adults who do not have enough money to eat. “In addition to spiritual food, we consider it vitally important to satisfy physical needs,” the ministry leader said. “We are witnessing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people, bringing peace, joy, and purpose.” Donations support these evangelism and discipleship efforts.