August 27, 2004

BUENOS AIRES - The Vice Governor in the province of Misiones, in northeastern Argentina, Evangelical Pastor Pablo Tschirsch, called on pastors, leaders and social Christian workers to dream of a better Argentina in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and affirmed that the country is a sleeping homeland that God could awaken.

Tschirsch spoke to some 200 pastors and Evangelical leaders and social workers, coming from 15 provinces in Argentina and neighboring countries, representing 50 Churches and service entities at the inauguration of the National Encounter for Change and Social Protagonism Salt and Light, held in Buenos Aires August 19 - 21.

It is time to rise up, said Tschirsch. He warned, however, that it is not just a question of praying and preaching and also serving, and said that to give your life to Jesus is to give your life for others.

Tschirsch manifested that his call does not mean all Christians should be involved in politics in the country, although he said that if Christian Evangelicals had occupied the spaces they rejected, things would not be as they are in Argentina, in reference to the reigning corruption and misery.

He said, according to the Sal and Light press team, better times will come if there are men and women who are willing to give God the glory that corresponds to Him.

In a self-criticism, Tschirsch said we Evangelicals are quick to talk and slow to act and added we are accustomed to being in four walls, looking inward.

The meeting was organized by the Argentine Baptist Evangelical Convention (CEBA) Community Action Area, the Evangelical Social Action Network and the Kairos Foundation, with the support of the Federation Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (FACIERA), the Pastors Council of Buenos Aires and the General Board of Worship of the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

Speakers included pastors Emilio Monti, president of the Argentine Federation of Evangelical Churches (FAIE), Guillermo Prein, of the New Life Christian Center, Theologian Rene Padilla, economist Pablo Tigani and therapist Zaida Azas de Puccio

The general objective was to exchange experiences and provide specific training about the new intervention tools and social and community participation that are emerging due to the current social situation in Argentina, to strengthen the participation process and influence that Churches are having in cities, provinces and at a national level.

ALC News Service