Although the Roman Catholic faith is the primary religion in Argentina, the majority of the natives do not actively practice it. The Catholic Church has had a significant influence on the government and way of life in Argentina. Because the country has suffered severely both politically and economically, many of the people have lost their belief in the Catholic Church. However, the Argentine people continue to turn to saints and other idols for strength and satisfaction. Missionaries from worldwide organizations such as Campus Crusade for Christ have come to live temporarily or permanently in Argentina to share the hopeful and fulfilling gospel of Jesus Christ with the Argentines. I am actually praying about whether or not God wants me in Argentina with Campus Crusade next year on a short-term mission project.

      I am hoping my research will help answer the following questions I have about the Christian life in Argentina. In what present state would a missionary find Christianity if he or she went to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in Argentina? How have Argentine Christians shared the fruit of their faith in Jesus with other natives? Are there active and growing Christian churches or organizations in Argentina presently?

     Christians 18 and older would be the target audience for this research, especially those who have a heart for missions or knowing how God is moving in the world. Because the Lord has asked Christians in Matthew 28:19,20 to share the gospel of Jesus Christ among the nations, this target audience might want to know what life is like as a missionary in Argentina, how to become a missionary and how to support a missionary through prayer and/or finances. Christians who read such magazines as Christianity Today might be interested to learn where God is using His children to share the promises of His love. College students and adults who use Campus Crusade for Christ's web site can find out information about short and long-term international mission projects in Argentina and the cities where the Campus Crusade missionaries are located. Also, Daily Tar Heel readers might be interested to learn about the role of Christianity in Argentina if they speak Spanish, are interested in international studies or want to know the religious aspects of the country.

• Auza, Nestor Tomas.  La Iglesia Argentina. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Ciudad Argentina, 1999. BX1462.2.A9

• Burdick, Michael A.  For God and the Fatherland. Albany, New York: State University of New York Press, 1995. BX1462.2.B84

• Jesus.  Director Ben Wessman.  Jeremy Sisto. Videocassette. Trimark Home Video, 2000.  65-DVD 459

• Bussey, Jane. (2001, August 12). Argentina Wallows in Economic Despair; Unemployment, Crime Abound in 3-Year Recession That Shows No Sign of Ending. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. [Online], 1203 words. Available Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2001, September 12].

• Campion, Susan. (2000, September 16). Working Miracles with Criminals. The Dominion. [Online], 865 words. Available Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2001, September 12].

• Faiola, Anthony. (2000, July 20). Pop Icon Joins Evita As Argentine 'Saint'; Crash Victim Is Latest to Be Canonized by Devoted Cult. The Washington Post [Online], 1378 words. Available Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2001, September 12].
• Oppenheimer, Mark. (2001, January 18). Evangelist Tills the Soil for Rallies This June. The Hartford Courant. [Online], 731 words. Available Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2001, September 12].

• Qassim, Ali. (2001, March 1). Argentine Director Has a Controversial Style; Szechtman's Work Challenges the Norm. Ad Age Global. [Online], 695 words. Available Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2001, September 12].

• Rotella, Sebastian. (2000, December 9). Wording in Spanish-Language Bible Draws Jewish Complaints. Los Angeles Times. Available Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2001, September 12].

• Title of Web page: International Missions
  Web address: http://www.ccci.org/international/latinam/index.html
  Brief Description: The web site allows one to connect with Christian involvement on college campuses in Latin America. Learn about the Four Spiritual Laws (the gospel) and ways to advance your theological understanding. Find out how to get an application to join other Campus Crusaders in Latin America to spread the Word of Jesus. One can also connect to a link to find more information on supporting Crusade missionaries through prayer and financial donations.
  Source of Web site: Campus Crusade for Christ International

• Title of Web page: Catedral de la Ciudad de la Plata
  Web address: http://www.catedral.laplata.net/historia/index.htm
  Brief Description: An interesting timeline into seeing the development of an Argentine cathedral with graphics and explanations. The timeline begins in 1885 with the first plans for building the cathedral, and moving left to right, the growth continues until the late 1990's. This web site gives one an idea of a place of worship for Argentines.
  Source of Web site: Catedral de la Ciudad de la Plata (The Cathedral of the City of la Plata)

• Title of Web page: U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999: Argentina
  Web address: http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/irf/irf_rpt/1999/irf_argentin99.html
  Brief Description: This web site gives the different percentages of the religions in Argentina. It is interesting to note that Roman Catholics represent 70 percent of the population. The site also states that Argentines are allowed freedom of religion.
  Source of Web site: Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

• Title of Web page: Christian Newsletter and Mailing Lists
  Web address: http://www.every-nation.com/Argentina/index.html
  Brief Description: To find out how the Christian movement is being blessed through these missionaries in Argentina, read personal newsletters. Each staff person connected with Greater Grace Church in Argentina submits a letter updating web users about how they are seeing Argentines come to know the Lord. One also has the opportunity to get in touch with these staffers.
  Source of Web site: Greater Grace Church Missions and Missionaries in Argentina

• Title of Web page: Ministerio Estudiantil
  Web address: http://www.cruzada.org/cruzada/teaching/student.html
  Brief Description: This web site informs students about how they can become involved with Cruzada, which is the Latin American form of Campus Crusade for Christ. Students can go to this web site to learn how they can share Christ's love on their campus in Argentina. The site mentions that a total of 6,000 students from 100 universities on the South American continent are involved with this active ministry. Photographs of activities and Bible studies are also on this site.
  Source of Web site: Cruzada Estudiantil y Professional Para Cristo (Student and Professional Crusade for Christ)

The Christian Movement in Argentina: The Lost, and the Savior's Servants

     With Argentina's hyperinflation and high unemployment rate at 16 to 20 percent, the Catholic Church is perhaps no longer providing some of the comfort the Argentine need.(1) The increasing violence and crime rates reveal the decline in the quality of life and society. (1) According to Horacio Gonzalez, a sociologist at the University of Buenos Aires, the Argentines do not know what to believe and are looking to idols to make sense of their lives. When a young rock star died in a car wreck last year, the Argentine people made prayer cards picturing him with a halo on his head, and a news magazine's cover even showed him as Jesus Christ on the Cross. Tomas Eloy Martinez, a famous Argentine author, said, "Argentines are experts of turning idols into saints, using tragic deaths to wash away their sins and sanctify their memories." (2) Some Argentines, who depend on their "saints," believe that Jesus should not be the only recipient of their prayers. (2)

     Although some Argentine people do not seem to know what to believe, Mario Ottoboni has used his Christian beliefs to bear fruit. Ottoboni received a call from God to serve and to minister to imprisoned people. He has set up faith-based prison rehabilitation programs in both Argentina and Brazil run by Christian volunteers. (3) An evangelist has made a remarkable impact for the Kingdom of God. Luis Palau, an Argentine, is the founder of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and preached to 1.2 million people last year. He shares his Christian faith every week through television and radio, and encourages people to share the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ. (4)

     Not only have the people in Argentina shared their faith with others, but also churches and organizations have been established to share about Jesus. In December of 1995 the Greater Grace Church planted a church in Tortuguitas, which is a city near Buenos Aires. Their vision is to reach the lost and reveal the life of Jesus to the world. They are expanding their ministry as they establish a Bible college to train pastors and missionaries in evangelism. Campus Crusade for Christ has also made a difference for the growing number of Christians in Argentina. This Christ-centered organization reaches out to college students in hopes of bringing them to have a personal relationship with Christ.

(1) Jane Bussey, "Argentina Wallows in Economic Despair; Unemployment, Crime Abound in 3-Year Recession That Shows No Sign of Ending," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12 August 2001, p. A-5. Also Available [Online]: Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [Accessed: 12 September 2001].

(2) Anthony Faiola, "Pop Icon Joins Evita As Argentine 'Saint'; Crash Victim Is Latest to Be Canonized by Devoted Cult," The Washington Post, 20 July 2000, p. A16. Also Available [Online]: Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [Accessed: 12 September 2001].

(3) Susan Campion, "Working Miracles With Criminals," The Dominion, 16 September 2000, p.29. Also Available [Online]: Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [Accessed: 12 September 2001].

(4) Mark Oppenheimer, "Evangelist Tills the Soil for Rallies This June," The Hartford Courant, 18 January 2001, p. A4. Also Available [Online]: Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [Accessed: 12 September 2001].

• Title of Web page: Christian Newsletter and Mailing Lists
  Web address: http://www.every-nation.com/Argentina/index.html
  Brief Description: To find out how the Christian movement is being blessed through these missionaries in Argentina, read personal newsletters. Each staff person connected with Greater Grace Church in Argentina submits a letter updating web users about how they are seeing Argentines come to know the Lord. One also has the opportunity to get in touch with these staffers.
  Source of Web site: Greater Grace Church Missions and Missionaries in Argentina

• Title of Web page: Ministerio Estudiantil
  Web address: http://www.cruzada.org/cruzada/teaching/student.html
  Brief Description: This web site informs students about how they can become involved with Cruzada, which is the Latin American form of Campus Crusade for Christ. Students can go to this web site to learn how they can share Christ's love on their campus in Argentina. The site mentions that a total of 6,000 students from 100 universities on the South American continent are involved with this active ministry. Photographs of activities and Bible studies are also on this site.
  Source of Web site: Cruzada Estudiantil y Professional Para Cristo (Student and Professional Crusade for Christ)