September 13, 2004
By Sara Ossa

SANTIAGO - Seventy thousand people filled the National Stadium in Santiago on September 12 while hundreds of choirs sang songs of praise to God.

Bishops and pastors from all Evangelical denominations in the country were present, participating in the Pentecostal celebration.

September is the month when Chile celebrates its national holiday and the beginning of spring. It is also the month of the Bible and for the Evangelical Pentecostal movement the commemoration of the so-called Creole Pentecost

September marks the anniversary of the great revival in Valparamso in 1909, which was marked by the new experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of spiritual gifts.

The main event is held in Santiago in the National Stadium and is attended by government authorities and parliamentary representatives. At the same time, similar activities are held in 34 other public establishments across the nation, celebrating 95 years of Pentecostalism in Chile.

The central message was given by the new bishop of the Methodist Pentecostal Church, Bernardo Cartes Venegas, who said We are here, because thanks to the immense love of God we have moved from death to life. Far from Israel, thanks to the divine plan, the gentile world was given the blessed opportunity to receive Christs Gospel.

At the end of the meeting, Bishop Cartes expressed his satisfaction because we have been very blessed because we have had an extraordinary response, for the glory of the Lord. From the extreme north to the extreme south of the country, the meetings have been well attended and very blessed by the Lord.

With this example of unity we have opened a new page of Evangelism in Chile, said Cartes.

The event was organized by the Chile for Christ movement. This new organization plans to hold similar activities each year until the Centenary of Pentecostal Revival in Chile celebration planned for 2009.

The Pentecostal movement in Chile has given rise to more than 1,500 Churches across the country, producing two apparently contradictory effects.

First, a broad range of Evangelical denominations that makes joint work within society difficult and their insertion into the political-administrative area challenging.

However, this same diversity has allowed them to sow the Word of God, to spread the Gospel to all cities and corners of the country. Through different means, methods or forms Evangelical Churches in Chile have worked selflessly to expand the Kingdom of God.

Aware of both the wealth and limitations implied in this diversity, leaders, bishops and pastors have made efforts to create organizations that coordination the action of the Evangelical Movement. They have also achieved the necessary recognition on the part of Chilean authorities regarding equity and equality.

One of the first joint manifestations of the Evangelical people took place 12 years ago when they constituted the National Committee ofEvangelical Organizations COE to promote Law 19.698, the so-called Equality of Worship Law.

The law was approved in 1999, and dozens of Evangelical leaders filled the Congress, located in the city of Valparamso when the vote took place.

Once the law was approved, the Evangelicals raised their hands to the sky saying Glory to God! an expression of praise that characterizes the Pentecostal movement.

A similar spirit moved scores of faithful across the country on September 12 when Evangelicals from all traditions (historic, missionary and Creole Churches) filled public spaces in every region.

The celebrated the day of Evangelical Christian unity, recalling the Creole Pentecost, that gave rise to this second largest religion in the country. It was a great celebration, said Bishop Francisco Anabalon.

ALC News Service