Latin American Alliance Churches Gather in Argentina to Strengthen Cross-Cultural Missions

Church leaders, missionaries, and believers from 11 countries gathered near Buenos Aires, Argentina, in February 2026 to seek God’s direction for missions and strengthen cooperation in sending workers to cross-cultural fields.

Under the theme “Connected with God’s Mission,” the missions training took place February 9-12, 2026, at the SELAH Retreat Center in Cañuelas, Buenos Aires, and the practicum February 13-16, 2026, in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Buenos Aires.

The event was organized by the missions team of the Latin American Region (CLA) of the Alliance World Fellowship and focused on training, mobilization, missionary formation, and regional missions strategy.

Participants came from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, the United States, and Russia.

Eighty-five people attended, including pastors, missionaries, ministry leaders, other professionals, students, future missionary candidates, and church members.

The gathering reflected a growing movement in Latin America as churches seek to take part in sending missionaries to serve in cross-cultural ministries around the world.

Seeking God’s Direction for Missions

The event opened with a welcome from the host team in Argentina. Graciela Napoli, the missions leader in Argentina, welcomed participants along with her husband, Elvio Estarli, who serves on the regional missions team. Pastor Iván García, the president of the C&MA church in Argentina, also greeted participants.

Pastor Iván García delivered the opening message, “Connected with God’s Mission in a Changing World.” He spoke about the spiritual needs of a world that awaits the message of redemption, encouraging believers to remain connected with God to respond to the needs of people.

Dr. Walter Pérez, member of the AWF International Commission of Theological Education, presented a biblical and theological perspective on God’s mission. He reminded participants that the message of the gospel must reach all people.

Pastor David Muthre, AWF’s Latin America (CLA) Regional Coordinator, reflected on Acts 1:8 and related passages, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in the mission of the church. “It is not possible to fulfill God’s mission without being filled with the Holy Spirit,” Muthre said.

Learning From the Mission Field

Mission stations allowed participants to learn about cross-cultural ministries carried out by missionaries from Latin America serving in various regions of the world. Missionaries shared experiences from the field and spoke about the spiritual and practical needs of the communities they serve.

Dr. Jessie Ritchey, a missionary from the United States, helps care for cross-cultural workers from the region. She encouraged participants to follow the example of Jesus when relating to people. “Connect with people with love and respond to their needs without judgment,” Ritchey said.

Workshops addressed practical aspects of missions. One workshop focused on the role of single missionaries. Maritza Cumba, a missionary from Puerto Rico in Panama, noted that 28 percent of cross-cultural missionaries serve as single workers, according to research from COMIBAM International (Ibero-American Missionary Cooperation), a missionary movement that represents and brings together national missionary cooperatives.

Another workshop led by Pastor David Muthre focused on the role of Scripture in the life of a missionary. He emphasized that the Word of God is essential for both the message and the mission.

Personal Callings Confirmed

Participants also shared how the training helped clarify their role in God’s mission.

“In this gathering God confirmed my calling to mobilize churches for missions and support missionaries in the field,” said Mayra Paredes of Argentina.

Malania Lázaro of Peru said the event helped her see how her professional work connects with her faith. “My profession is not separate from my faith,” she said. “It is a way God can open doors to serve in places where it would otherwise be difficult to enter.”

Joel Atauchi of Ecuador said the gathering reminded him of the importance of depending on the Holy Spirit. “If believers are not centered on Christ in everything, we will not move forward,” he said.

A Vision for the Nations

The cross-cultural night, during which each participant dressed in traditional attire from different countries as a sign of identification with and love for unreached peoples, filled the atmosphere with color and a passion to reach those who are waiting for Jesus’ transforming message.

Pastor Sergio Galván from an Alliance church in Buenos Aires led a time of prayer for people groups that still wait to hear the message of Christ.

The training also included practical missions experiences. One team traveled to Saladillo, Argentina, a town with historical connections to missions in the country. Another team served in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, where participants shared the message of Christ and served local communities.

Pastor Jones Soares of Brazil spoke about the experience. “The real connection with God’s mission begins with a willingness to love and serve others,” he said.

Organizers said gatherings like this aim to strengthen the missionary movement across Latin America and prepare believers to serve in cross-cultural contexts as part of the mission given by Jesus in the Great Commission.