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Brethren Global Partners: Argentina
OUR PARTNERS
Council of Elders | Rev. Willy Romanenghi, Rev. Guillermo Rojas
Pictured, Rev. Willy & Viviana Romanenghi
THEIR STORY
Argentina is the oldest Brethren Partner in existence. Beginning in 1907 through the vision and courage of Rev. Carl F. Yoder. His dream took his family from Ashland, Ohio, to Argentina, where he used education and mentoring to disciple people and train them as pastors.
In 1909, Yoder moved his family, accompanied by Bertha May Bell, to Argentina to plant churches and ministries throughout the province of Cordoba. He worked teaching biology at the National College. The Yoders worked in Argentina from 1909 to 1937. After the Grace Brethren Split in 1939, Yoder and his wife returned to Argentina from 1940 to his death in 1955. His family continues ministering in Argentina as pastors and leaders, leaving a powerful legacy of love and service. His dream became a reality, and today, roughly 30 churches throughout Argentina are developing people and bringing hope!
Today, the Brethren Church in Argentina, called IHA, or Iglesia de los Hermanos en Argentina, is responding to a renewed call for discipleship and church planting nationwide. Young leaders are being raised and mentored as they prepare to lead new congregations, while other leaders work not only to strengthen the church but add significantly to its reputation, providing opportunities for education and work training for families and communities alike.
You will also find ministries for recovering addicts like the House of Restoration and House of Blessing in Rosario and the school and church built in Soldini. Camps for kids, youth, and adults, like the one in Decasito just outside Cordoba, provide engagement, education, and fellowship.
NEWS & NOTEWORTHY
I love writing articles describing what God is doing among, with, and through your partners globally. Being a bearer, a messenger of joy and hope is such a tremendous joy. This is why Jesus repeatedly referred to his message as the “good news.” I thought I would share the good news about what God is doing with your brothers and sisters in Cordoba, Argentina. Although the last few years have presented significant challenges, their faithfulness and devotion to continually presenting the Gospel and acting as Jesus' hands and feet in their daily lives have resulted in some fantastic things. Don’t just take it from me though; here’s the story in Pastor Walter Romanenghi’s own words. “I must start by saying there was a before and after for the pandemic. In our country, public activities were closed and prohibited from March 20, 2020, until mid-October of the same year. Then it began with a restricted entry of people (50% of the temple's capacity), and an entire year (2021) had to go through with little assistance due to the restrictions and temporary closures repeated a couple of times. Despite this, there were two baptisms in the year 2021 and one baptism in the year 2022. Throughout that stage, there was a great desertion of church members. Almost 40% did not meet again, and another 20% attended irregularly. New situations appeared, such as those who "congregated online" with international churches, others preferred to attend churches closer to their homes, and others, sadly, stopped congregating because their faith had declined. Thus, we began the year 2022 clinging to the word of Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” And our motto and motivation to the church were "Let's move forward". Since the beginning of 2022, young students have come to the National University of Córdoba and begun to attend church. Work with adolescents was also resumed, and a practically new group of about 25 boys was formed. New families have arrived, as well as families and people who come from other churches. (A phenomenon that affected all churches was this turnover of disenchanted members during the pandemic.) The Children's Bible School was one of the ministries that suffered the most from all the changes, and it has been recovering little by little. Between 2020 and 2021, modifications were made to the property to be able to broadcast the meetings on our YouTube channel, and the temple was adapted to specific demands of the pandemic time. In any case, we have again gained momentum to resume our idea at the end of 2019 of expanding our meeting room and building a multipurpose room (a sala de usos múltiples or SUM) in the church's backyard. This is how this year 2023 finds us, with the construction work in full swing, with almost no physical space other than the temple. (The other available rooms are packed with all the furniture and chairs that we have had to keep until the building work is finished). You can watch an update video on the progress of the construction at www.vimeo.com/brethrenhchurchusa.com In these months, we have seen God's economic and ministerial provision. Many brothers have committed to serving in various ministries, and currently, almost all activities are developing at the same level as at the beginning of the pandemic. In some churches, we have grown even more in the number of attendees. (For example, adolescents, children, and married couples) Today the challenge is to “Keep Moving Forward,” as we expand into a new room and take advantage of opportunities to evangelize in a neighborhood increasingly populated by new urban developments. Only one hundred meters around the church, there are five new buildings that, in the future, will be about a thousand new apartments to live in the neighborhood. We thank God for his goodness and provision of everything we need for this advance. The Church has been challenged to give, and today the goal is to raise an additional twenty thousand dollars to complete the progress of the work. It is not an easy challenge because of the difficult economic situation of our country. So, we ask for your prayers to achieve the best possible end in the new SUM of the Nueva Vida Church so that hundreds of children, adolescents, young people, and adults can know Jesus through the church ministry in the neighborhood of Nueva Cordoba.” Rev. Walter Romanenghi What a blessing to hear both the difficulties and challenges and the hope and focus on the future for this beautiful outpost of faith and love. What a powerful testimony to Christ and his Kingdom. What’s God doing in your congregation? We want to hear your story too!  Scott C. Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners
On Saturday, September 26 th , 2020, our partners in Argentina gathered together church members from all over South America for conversation, prayer, and encouragement. While Argentina was the most represented, with pastors and families from dozens of churches and leadership teams, every other partner in South America was also included. Each speaker focused on telling stories related to the pandemic. Tales of the difficulties caused by the virus. Stories of the many miracles God performed through each community as well. Willy Romanenghi and his wife spoke about their family contracting the virus, the fear, and the anxiety that was created. They spoke passionately about the outpouring of love that washed over each of them. Both from the churches in Argentina and around the world. Lifted by prayer, and love they, weathered the storm to emerge with few if any, issues after the virus was gone. Luis Morillas spoke of the difficulty faced by many in Peru. Armed patrols roamed the streets, and whole industries were shut down. Yet God was still faithful and took care of the church. Luis, like our partners Elena Prado Effio in Pucusana and Jose "Segundo" Gonzales in Puerto Maldonado, received some aid from the U.S. Brethren Church. This enabled all of them to reach out to their communities and beyond and help restore hope. Luis closed by asking for prayer as the country faces ongoing hardship in the months ahead. Carlos Quiroga spoke of the fear the virus had spread throughout the country. This fear added to the already difficult climate facing the people in the wake of government tax edicts resulting in mass riots throughout the land. Several in the congregation were hit by COVID-19, and although most recovered, a few did not, adding to the death toll. Marcelo and Adriana Ferreri spoke for Colombia, adding stories of lockdown and great difficulty caused by the virus. A couple of ministries had to shift locations as they could not afford the rent. Marcelo emphasized God's incredible grace as they were able to adapt and serve in many wonderful ways. The church adapted quickly to an online worship service, even extending its reach to the U.S. and far beyond. Juan Carlos Poletti stunned those in attendance by speaking of the new church birthed from an outreach they began to an area that was already struggling economically before the virus struck. In a small area known as Ypanee, they moved from feeding 80 to 100 people a day to 850 people a day as the pandemic continued. Bible studies emerged, impromptu worship services, children's ministries, and more. Many of the men in the area began clearing a spot to build a new church structure. Tom Schiefer was able to attend and gave a brief greeting and word from the Lord, which was appreciated and prayed through. Carlos Velen, the current president of the Council of Elders, not only gave an incredible message but called for continued prayer that the church throughout the world would continue to rise to the occasion. The call to bring hope, light, and life to so many living in fear and despair.  While this was the first gathering held, you can be sure it won’t be the last. Many more stories were told, more than can be reported here. However, an important truth was revealed. The enemy thinks he has hemmed in God’s people. Using the virus as a weapon of intimidation and fear. The significance of this assembly stands as an incredible reminder that God is still in control and is calling his people to follow him. Armed with love and compassion, we will continue to see God’s kingdom expand and people transformed by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
I recently had the opportunity to travel with fellow team member Tom Schiefer to Argentina to meet with several of our South American partners. The purpose of the visit was twofold. First, engage in the second round of ongoing summits with many of our partners. Having met with a large group previously in Colombia in the fall of 2017. Second, build relationships with the pastors and leaders of the Brethren Church in Argentina. The first few days were spent connecting with the pastors, leaders, and the people of Nueva Vida Church in Cordoba, Taking time for long lunches, walks and deep discussion with Pastor Walter Romanenghi, his wife Adriana, and the pastors who serve with him. Both Tom Schiefer and I spoke during the Sunday services. Tom giving an incredible word in the morning and myself talking about connections around the world and a word in the evening. Tom Schiefer's call as a liaison and more to Argentina and the people here is one directed through the Holy Spirit. His message was amazing and the response was incredible. We prayed over many people that day in ways I can't describe accurately. One family we prayed over were refugees from Venezuela, people who walked and rode buses for 10 days with very little in the way of belongings to be free of the poverty and violence in their home country. Incredible people with incredible courage and faith. We had an opportunity to tour the Diquecito campground where Tom explained that what we were seeing was a profound change brought about by the Spirit of God doing great things. Several short-term groups through the past decade or so have come to help with the expansion and ministry. During our time in Cordoba, Tom and I had an opportunity to see Cecilia Castro and meet with Marisol Gomez. Both of whom work with and lead the Cordoba Immersions group. We heard Marisol’s testimony and listened to the vision they have to reach kids and business people alike. The connection and partnership we are forming is one that I believe will have a profound impact on students and adults in both countries for years to come. I expect our churches and students will hear much more about opportunities for ministry with Cordoba Immersions in the coming weeks and months ahead. Tom and I journeyed to Soldini, an area just outside of Rosario, to see the work there. Spending time with Pastor Tito Hernandez and his beautiful family. We toured the church building and the school as well. Enjoying time with teachers, administrators, and children alike. Tom handed out colored bands from the Revive Indiana ministry and explained the Gospel story through the colors. The kids loved the lesson and the gift. The Soldini School has an incredible vision for the future. One that will span at least a couple of generations. It is quite amazing to see not only what has been done already, but what is yet to come. In January the Nappanee Church is sending a team down to help with some of the work. If you would like to know more or want to be a part of this or another team going to the area, give the Nappanee Church a call. After a cramped, long, but laughter-filled 6-hour drive, we arrived at our final destination for the week, Villa Bautista Thea retreat center. The Partners meeting was incredible! Each greeted each the others with hugs and kisses as though it was just yesterday that we last saw each other. During our meetings, the team discussed several topics. Things that are happening in ministry, personal issues, and more. One of the brightest moments was the inclusion of Lautaro Vitale, a young man from the Nueva Vida church who acted as our translator for the entirety of the partners' meeting and the conference. Lautaro learned English in school, but never really thought it would be all that helpful. God has a really awesome way of seeing the whole of our lives far in advance and put Lautaro in just the right place at just the right time. An amazing young man who has a special anointing he was completely unaware of. In Argentina and South America, the issues of sexuality and transgender development are a huge problem as well as abortion. In the United States, the laws have mostly bypassed the church as a whole. In South America, they are directly attacking the church. We discussed similarities in these issues around the world and how each area is handling the discussions. The vision we cast for all of us working together in new concerted and reciprocal ways became the central topic. Not only in keeping our new partnership rooted in Christ and covered by the Holy Spirit, but future church planting efforts in new places. Scott was asked to continue to lead the group in communication and connection. This is a huge honor and responsibility. As we finished our conversations in prayer and worship we began planning our next partners meeting to be held in 2021, in Santiago, Chile with the expectation that new members will also come to the table from Peru, the Philippines, and more. The last few days were a time of laughter, worship, and the building of new relationships. The Brethren Church in Argentina scheduled their General Conference for the following two days. This was their first General Conference since 2009 where they celebrated 100 years of ministry. Guest Speakers included Adrian Castro and Marcelo Ferreri, both pastors from the Brethren Church in Colombia. Worship was loud, filled with praise, adoration, and celebration! Folded in with times of deep, powerful prayer which wove the entire conference together through the Spirit of God whose presence was felt in every aspect of the conference.  Our Brothers and Sisters in South America are alive and well. They are excited about what the future for the Brethren movement holds worldwide, while specifically praying for the Brethren Churches in North America. The Father is doing amazing things through the power of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus in ways that would astound most of us. They rely on the Spirit and live in a faith that is often rare to find here in the United States. Something WE can learn from our partners to do more.