From humble beginnings, the Asamblea Cristiana in Buenos Aires has emerged as a cornerstone of faith. This is the story of its enduring legacy. The Asamblea Cristiana’s roots trace back to the early 20th century. Missionaries Louis Francescon, Lucia Menna, and Giacomo Lombardi arrived in Argentina. It was between 1909 and 1910. They sought to spread Pentecostal Christianity among Italian colonists. These dedicated individuals laid the foundation for what would become the Asamblea Cristiana.
Initially, the congregation called itself Asamblea Cristiana Reunidos en Nombre de Jesus. Francescon also preached in Brazil. This led to the establishment of the Congregação Cristã no Brasil. Divine intervention guided Menna and the missionaries from the United States to Argentina. They aimed to share Pentecostalism with Italian settlers.
In 1915, Narciso Nartucci felt a calling to serve as a missionary in Buenos Aires. Francisco Anfuso joined him. They arrived in Buenos Aires on November 2, 1916. Rosalia Anfuso de Mingrino, Francisco’s sister, hosted them. The Mingrino family were the first to hear the Pentecostal message. Eight days later, six people were baptized. These included Rosalía Anfuso de Mingrino, Gaetano, and his children. Their names were Pablo, Ángel, José, and Concepción. On December 31, more than twenty people were baptized.
The movement expanded quickly. By 1917, a larger meeting space was needed. Baptisms continued throughout that year. Later, the Asamblea Cristiana branched into different denominations. The oldest is the Asamblea Cristiana Evangelica. It has over 100 temples across the country.
The mother church of Asamblea Cristiana Evangelica is in Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires. It has been at the same location since its founding. Today, it has about 500 members. The largest branch is the Asamblea Cristiana “Dios es Amor”. It is based in Santa Fe. It boasts 900 churches in Argentina. It also has churches in Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia. In 1965, the Asamblea Cristiana de Villa Lynch joined the Congregação Cristã no Brasil. It is now known as Congregación Cristiana en la Argentina. It has around 90 churches. A smaller branch, the Iglesia Cristiana Bíblica, is part of the World Council of Churches.
One notable figure linked to the Asamblea Cristiana is Juan Carlos Ortiz. He was born in Santos Lugares, a suburb of Buenos Aires. His mother, Concepcion Martos, was a seamstress. His father, Hilario Ortiz, was a railway engineer. Juan Carlos’s mother converted to Christianity. She joined the Asamblea Cristiana de Villa Devoto. Juan Carlos began teaching Sunday school at 14. By 16, he was preaching.
The Asamblea Cristiana continues to evolve. It embraces modernity while cherishing its rich heritage. It remains an important part of Pentecostal history in Argentina and Latin America. The Asamblea Cristiana stands as a testament to faith. It is a beacon of hope and community in Buenos Aires. Its story reflects resilience, unity, and unwavering devotion.