Argentina commemorates the inaugural Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches
Argentina Celebrates First Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches
On October 28, 2025, Argentina marked the inaugural Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches, a significant event that coincided with Reformation Sunday. This historic occasion followed a 20-year effort by evangelical churches that culminated in the Argentine Congress passing Law 27.741 on April 18, officially recognizing October 31 as the annual day to honour these churches.
The main gathering of the week took place on October 28 in the National Auditorium of the Palacio Libertad. The event featured a ceremony emphasizing the recognition of the evangelical and Protestant community's contributions, symbolizing the culmination of long-standing efforts by these churches to gain official acknowledgment in the country.
Pastor Christian Hooft, the president of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA), proclaimed that the celebration was not a religious festival, but a celebration of the historical identity of the faith of millions of Argentine citizens. Hooft, who also organized the event, underlined that unforgiveness, lack of justice, and disrespect for individual freedoms are not conducive to the nation's progress. He emphasized the 5 solas of the monk Martin Luther, which were an emblem that remained and strongly influenced culture, knowledge, and science.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Victoria Villarruel, the vice-president of the Argentinian government, Diana Mondino, the minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, and Nadia Márquez, a national parliamentarian of evangelical faith. Other religious confessions and institutions, including the Argentinean Episcopal Conference (CEA), the Islamic Centre, and the Latin American Jewish Congress, also accompanied the celebration.
The celebrations in Argentina will span a week, including national and provincial events and social media activities. The event was broadcast live on ACIERA's YouTube channel and on the Canal Luz television channel. The text contains a reference to a sustainability challenge and a campaign called #OneMoreYearEF.
It is estimated that more than six million people belong to over 25,000 evangelical churches in Argentina, which is approximately 15.3% of the population. Hooft stated that they are living in complex times, with many years of crisis after crisis, an enormous rate of poverty, and cultural and moral degradation. He expressed that to get out of this state requires a lot of effort, and the commitment of everyone, and of course the help of Almighty God. Hooft added that poverty is a calamity and that evangelical churches stand with the needy as the Lord taught them, but they do not praise poverty.
The article was published in Evangelical Focus, a world news source. This historic day highlights the importance of Protestant and Evangelical traditions in Argentina and aligns the celebration with the historical legacy of Martin Luther’s Reformation on October 31, marking the 507th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
On October 28, 2025, the focus of general-news in Argentina shifted from usual affairs to the political recognized of the annual Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches. Amidst the celebrations marking this historical event, Pastor Christian Hooft, the president of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA), addressed the audience on the role of unforgiveness, justice, and respect for individual freedoms in the nation's progress while acknowledging the impact of Martin Luther's 5 solas.
