ARGENTINA

A Golden Opportunity

           Argentines are a fusion of diverse national and ethnic groups.  Descendants of Italian and Spanish immigrants predominate.  Waves of immigrants from many European countries arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Syrian, Lebanese, and other Middle Eastern immigrants number about 500,000, mainly in urban areas.  Argentina’s Jewish community of about 280,000 is concentrated in Buenos Aires.  In recent years, there has been a  substantial influx of immigrants from neighboring Latin American countries.  The native Indian population, now estimated at 50,000, is concentrated in the peripheral provinces of the north, northwest,  and south.  Eighty percent of the people resides in urban areas with a population of more than 2,000.  More than one-third of the population lives in the greater metropolitan area of Buenos Aires.  Argentines enjoy comparatively high standards of living; half the population considers itself middle class.  The total population of Argentina is a little over 40 million.

  More than 90% of Argentines are Roman Catholic.  Religious freedom is practiced, although all non-Catholic denominations and independent Baptist are required to register with the government.  The non-Catholic community is small but very active.  Under non-Catholic, you have the Charismatic, Pentecostals, Mormons, and Jehovah’s Witness.  These groups are growing.  There are small groups of  Brethren Churches, Southern Baptist Churches, and Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches.

  The Argentine educational system is compulsory for grades one through  nine, starting at age six.  The adult literacy rate is 97%, one of Latin America’s highest.  Literacy and artistic tastes have been influenced mainly by Western Europe and, more  recently, by the United States.

  A large number of  Spanish daily newspapers are  published in the greater Buenos Aires area.  A dozen community newspapers are  published in other languages such as English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Ukrainian, and Yiddish.

  The Independent Baptist  movement started in Argentina back in the 60’s. Wilbur Sanford was one of the first pioneer Baptist missionaries.   Now there are a total number of 60 independent Baptist churches throughout Argentina. 

Golden Opportunity for Fundamental Baptists

  We as Fundamental Baptists  have a golden opportunity in Argentina.  We must grab this opportunity and use it for God’s glory.  Here are a few reasons why:  1.) Since everybody comes from a Catholic background; they already believe in God.  They already fear the thought of hell.  2.) Since 97 percent of the people can read and write; they can and do read gospel tracts and Christian literature. 3.) There is freedom of religion. We must use this freedom while we have it to start many churches. 4.)  Hell is a  real place and we do not want a  single individual to go there. There are  millions of people that need to hear  the Gospel.  This is urgent.  Some of the large cities in Argentina are the following:  Buenos Aires (12.8 million in population), Cordoba (1,452,926), Rosario (1,203,906), Salta (512,099), San Miguel de Tucumán (781,023), Corrientes (339,067), Santa Fe (454,238), La Plata (694,253), Mar del Plata (541,733), Bahia Blanca (274,509), Mendoza (380,400), Bariloche (130,750), Comodoro Rivadavia (136,670). There are also hundreds of cities, of 10,000 or more in population, that have no gospel  witness at all.  5.) Time is short.  The Second coming of Jesus is near.  We need to reach as many individuals as possible before He comes.

Golden opportunity for the Devil

  Is Argentina going to be a golden opportunity for the cause of the Gospel or should we leave it in the hands of the Devil?  Here are some things that the Devil is doing.   He is happy and successful in spreading confusion among the people:  1.) You see American Mormon missionaries on the streets on a regular basis talking to the people and  spreading their doctrine. 2.) The Jehovah’s Witnesses are going door  to  door everywhere spreading their teaching.  They are very active and successful in reaching people.  They have established 1,934 Kingdom Halls in Argentina, according to a 2009 report (what a contrast to the 60 Independent Baptist Churches). 3.) He adds to the confusion by Pentecostal groups, charismatics, Seventh Day Adventists, Humanism, New Age Movement, and materialism. 4.) Confusing the people by different Bible versions like:  Good News to Modern Man, New World Translation, New International Version, and many other modern Spanish Bibles that are coming out.

References used in writing this article:  

1.) Background Notes on Countries of the World;  United States Department of State -      Bureau of Public Affairs - Washington, DC - November 1994 - Public Domain and may be reprinted without permission.

2.) Microsoft Encyclopedia 1997

3.) Buenos Aires Herald,  daily newspaper of Buenos Aires, Argentina

4.) Russell George- veteran missionary in Argentina for 38 years

Your Missionaries in Argentina South America since May of 1996 

E-mail: Argentinabrg@yahoo.com

Phone: 1-319-248-9736 (Vonage - USA # that rings in our house in Tucuman - Argentina)

Present Argentina Mailing Address:

Casilla de Correo 731 Correo Central

4000 S.M. de Tucuman, Prov. de Tucuman – Argentina

USA Mailing Address Just for letters:

Brian R. George

P.O. Box 326

Washington, Iowa 52353 USA

Home Church:

Marion Avenue Baptist Church

215 S. Marion Ave.

Washington, IA 52353 USA

Phone: 319-653-4113

Sending Agency:

Fundamental Baptist Missions International

523 Sibley Street

Hammond, IN 46320 USA

Phone: (219) 932-0711

We stand for...

*The verbally inspired Word of God (KJV) * The Trinity * The Deity of Christ * His Blood Atonement * Salvation by faith * Separation from the world * and Soul Winning *