Argentina is the eighth largest country in world. It has freedom of religion, though Roman Catholicism which is supported by the state. Ninety-three percent of the population claims to be Christian. Of those, 91 percent claim to be Catholic. Muslims and Jews account for a little over 1 percent each

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina (IELA) – The Rev. Edgardo Elseser, President, began in November 1905, in Aldea San Juan, mostly among Russian-German immigrants with the arrival of LCMS missionaries.  Today the work is done in Spanish.  The church body has two emphases which are mission work, under the theme "Christ for all," and education to recover an evangelistic church.  It also conducts social work in many places in Argentina, and owns and operates seven colleges which have 4,200 students.

The IELA has 70 Parishes, 80 pastors, 265 congregations, 30,000 baptized members, and 18,900 communicant members.

The Republic of Bolivia is located southwest of Brazil and is one of only two landlocked nations in the Americas.  It is home to 8.7 million people where 61 percent reside in urban areas. 

The Catholic Church has retained its status as the state church of Bolivia, and 94 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. Yet, the small number of Protestant Christians is rapidly growing.

The Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia (ICEL) – Ing. Delgado Alvarez Mario, President - began historically from the missionary work of the Norwegian Lutheran Mission in Bolivia. It legally organized and became independent in 1997. The LCMS began work in Bolivia in 1998 in partnership withthe ICEL. With about 500 members, the Christian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia is working among three linguistic groups.

The Republic of Peru is in western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador with a population of over 28 million where 81% are Roman Catholic, 1% Seventh Day Adventist, and 1% other Protestants.

Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533.

CLEF is privileged to work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church – Peru (IEL- P) - Rev. Fidel Mamano, President.

The Republic of Paraguay declared separation of church and state in 1992. Of its population of 6.2 million 98% claims to be Christian and 85% of those are Roman Catholic.

Lutheranism entered Paraguay in 1922 when Lutheran missionaries from neighboring Argentina crossed the border to minister to German-speaking farmers.  The Lutheran church has been present in Paraguay since 1938.

 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay (IELP) – Rev. Laureno Sitzman, President – was officially recognized as a religious entity in the country in 1983. It has 12 parishes, 13 pastors, 62 congregations, 3,981 baptized members, and 2,648 communicant members.  The church operates three preschools, two kindergartens and three elementary schools.

Chilefills a narrow 150 mile wide and 1,800 mile long strip between the Andes and the Pacific with one-third of the country covered by the towering Andes.

Chile has a populationof 16,200,000 people. The official language is Spanish, but 10 others are spoken. The main religions are Roman Catholic (89%) and Protestant (11%).

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Republic of Chile (IELCHI) – The Rev. Dr. Carlos Schumann. President - was started in 1954 by the Lutheran Church in Argentina. It has 250 members in three congregations and two mission stations, and 1000 students in their schools.

♦ Grants to the church bodies for publication of Lutheran Parochial Religious Education Curriculum for grades 1-12 – student workbooks and teacher’s guides (24 books)