The Birth of our Movement in Argentina 

It was in September of 1909 that Charles F. Yoder departed for Argentina with his family and their unmarried teammate, Bertha May Bell.  

The team began their mission in Rio Cuarto, Argentina, where Yoder taught English at the National College to gain influence and access to the community. The team used a vehicle they called the “Bible Coach” and a large tent for outreach, spreading the gospel and literature throughout the Cordoba province, often facing strong opposition. Not only did they bring the gospel, but Yoder is also credited with introducing basketball to the Province of Cordoba, where it remains a popular sport today.  

As time went on, more missionaries arrived, like Clarence and Loree Sickel, while national workers made great personal sacrifices to help churches spring up in a dozen different locations. 

However, Yoder’s tenure with the Foreign Missionary Society ended in 1937 when he returned to the U.S. to mediate a controversy within the Brethren fellowship. Despite their efforts, the church divided into the Ashland and Grace groups, with Yoder joining Ashland. 

The Growth of our Movement in Argentina  

In the years following the division, the ministry in Argentina experienced both significant growth and consolidation. New missionaries arrived, a Bible institute trained workers, and youth programs expanded with a new camp. Radio ministry and literature production were other strategies that were utilized. As the founding families aged, their children went on to lead the ministry. 

Initially focused on interior cities, the ministry shifted toward Buenos Aires as more and more Argentines migrated to bigger cities. The first Buenos Aires congregation was successfully established in 1947 at Don Bosco. Our movement’s growth was interrupted in the late 1960s and early 1970s as the charismatic movement gained more traction, yet God kept impacting lives through Charis churches despite that setback. Charis churches in Argentina continued to struggle in the 1980’s, but we deployed new missionaries and tried new methods, seeing much more fruit throughout the 1990’s. 

Some of those new missionaries were Dave and Sue Guiles and Steve and Wilma Bailey, who deployed to Buenos Aires in 1988. After a decade of fruitful church planting, Dave Guiles returned to the States to become Encompass’s Executive Director while Steve became the regional director for Latin America. For another 10–12 years, Steve oversaw Encompass’s efforts in Latin America, including Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil. 

Despite crises that temporarily slowed progress, a new awakening arose in the early 1990s: new works started in Buenos Aires and the interior regions of Argentina, and missionaries were sent from Argentina to Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Chad — many forming multinational teams that greatly enriched our Charis Alliance.  

Due to the combined factors of a strong growth in the overall evangelical movement in Argentina as well as the good initiatives led by leaders in our churches, the decision was reached around 2010 to begin pulling Encompass resources out of the region to focus on other least-reached areas of the world. Today we have 12 Charis Alliance churches in Argentina and 13 church plants. 

A Call to Prayer and Support 

We’re so thankful for the way God has impacted Argentina through our movement, but here are some ways we can continue supporting His work there through prayer: 

• The last generation of full-time pastors faced many economic hardships. As a result, most current pastors are bi-vocational.  Ask God to strengthen the commitment and ability of local churches to support their pastors, as well as to reignite their vision for planting new churches.  

• Currently there are several dozen young people involved in training to be local church leaders and missionaries. Pray that God protect them during their studies and open doors for them to become our next generation of leaders.  

May God continue working through our churches in Argentina for another 125 years and beyond!