Originating from missionary work, the Asamblea Cristiana stands as a testament to faith. Picture Luigi Francescon Lucia Menna and Giacomo Lombardi arriving in Buenos Aires. It was between 1909 and 1910. They brought with them a message that would resonate through Argentina.
The Asamblea Cristiana’s story begins with Lucia Menna. Her relatives had emigrated to Argentina. She requested that Luigi Francescon and Giacomo Lombardi join them. They embarked on a journey to Buenos Aires. They arrived in April ready to spread their message.
Initially the community called itself Asamblea Cristiana Reunidos en el Nombre de Jesús. This name reflected their shared belief in Jesus. From these initial gatherings various Asambleas Cristianas emerged. Their autonomous structure led to growth. However doctrinal and organizational differences caused divisions over time. They split into at least four major groups.
In 1916 Narciso Nartucci arrived in Buenos Aires. He was accompanied by Francisco Anfuso. Rosalia Mingrino Francisco’s sister hosted them. The family converted to the Pentecostal faith. Others joined them. By 1917 the group had outgrown its meeting space. They needed larger premises.
The oldest is the Asamblea Cristiana Evangélica. It has around 100 churches in Argentina. Since its foundation its main church has been in Villa Devoto Buenos Aires. It has about 500 members.
The largest denomination is the Asamblea Cristiana Dios es Amor. It is based in Santa Fe. It has around 900 communities in Argentina. It also has communities in Paraguay Uruguay Chile and Bolivia.
Another branch is the Asamblea Cristiana de Villa Loncha. In 1965 it merged with a Brazilian church. It took on the new name Congregación Cristiana en la Argentina. Today it consists of about 180 churches. A smaller branch is the Iglesia Cristiana Bíblica. It is affiliated with the World Council of Churches.
The Asamblea Cristiana’s influence extended beyond Argentina. Its founders also established the Assembleia Cristã no Brasil. They preached to a group which originated the Congregação Cristã no Brasil. These early missionaries felt divinely inspired. They ventured from the United States. Their goal was to share Pentecostalism with Italian colonists in Argentina.
These Pentecostal founders were influenced by William Durham. He was a North American pastor. He led the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles. This movement shaped many Pentecostal denominations worldwide. After some years many believers emigrated. In 1915 Narciso Nartucci wanted to become a missionary in Buenos Aires.
On November 2 1916 Nartucci and Anfuso arrived in Buenos Aires. They stayed with Rosalia Anfuso de Mingrino. The Mingrino family was among the first to embrace Pentecostalism. Eight days later six people were baptized. On December 31 more than twenty people were baptized. By 1917 the movement grew rapidly.
Over the years the Asamblea Cristiana has evolved. It maintains its significance in Argentinian and Latin American Pentecostal history. It is important to remember the dedication of its founders. Their work shaped the religious landscape of a nation.