WHO REPRESENTS THE EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN LATIN AMERICA? A STUDY OF THE EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP ORGANIZATIONS By Daryl Lynn Platt A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the School of World Mission And Institute of Church Growth FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Missiology June 1991 ¡Error!Marcador no definido. ABSTRACT Platt, Daryl Lynn 1991 Who Represents The Evangelical Churches In Latin America? A Study Of The Evangelical Fellowship Organizations. Fuller Theological Seminary, School of World Mission, Doctor of Missiology, pp. 378. The focus of this study brings recognition to the representative interdenominational organizations which give coordinated leadership to the Protestant/Evangelical churches in the countries of Latin America. For study purposes they are designated here as evangelical fellowship organizations. Although they exist in some form in each country throughout Latin America and represent the top leadership structures among the evangelical ministries, the importance of these organizations has been relatively unrecognized in missiological circles. The study begins with an overview survey of Latin American history focusing on the convergence of social and religious factors in the 19th century which favored the beginning of the evangelical movement and contributed to the diverse nature of the churches of the region. More extensive background information is provided for the ten countries of the South American continent in the form of national historic profiles which present significant data related to the beginnings of evangelical ministries in each of these countries. Finally, the statutory documents from the evangelical fellowship organizations of all nine Spanish-speaking South American countries are then compared and analyzed to authenticate the nature and the function of these inter-church bodies. Although these organizations are called by a variety of names, an analysis of their official documents and comparison of their regular activities reveal that they essentially fulfill the same vital leadership role in each country. This role is expressed through six basic functions including that of representing, assisting, counseling, mobilizing, coordinating and informing. Specific illustrations from a variety of Latin American countries reveal how these functions are carried out. The theoretical and theological foundations supporting these organizations are presented through specific analyses of the historic roots of the evangelical ministries, the history of cooperative efforts between churches and the biblical theme of Christian unity. Extensive appendices provide complete translations of the statutory documents for the evangelical fellowship organizations of the nine Spanish-speaking South American nations. National profiles indicating the beginning dates for evangelical ministry for all the remaining nations of South and Central America plus the Caribbean nations are also provided. Mentor: Paul E. Pierson Number of Words: 340 ¡Error!Marcador no definido. ¡Error!Marcador no definido. DEDICATED TO The countless number of unknown men and women Who went out bearing the seed of the Gospel So that today's generations could reap An abundant harvest in Latin America. ¡Error!Marcador no definido. ¡Error!Marcador no definido. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS With gratitude to God for His grace and His strong call upon my life, I acknowledge that the insights gained from personal contacts in the course of my studies have been both challenging and enriching. Because the time lapse for this study course has been so extended, there is no way to distinguish the impact of what others have written, preached, taught and practiced. Hopefully, much of it has been internalized. Through the educational process my life has been touched by so many choice servants of the Lord of the Harvest that it is impossible to acknowledge their contributions except through quotes and reference notes where appropriate. Each one has made their mark on my understanding of the field of missiology. Those who have been my professors have also become friends and mentors. Gratefully, theirs has been more than an academic concern. For they have also demonstrated a consuming interest for the effective cross cultural communication of the Gospel. In their own way, each professor has been a "pace setter" in this field. Through quality classes, prolific writing ministries coupled with continual travels to the fields of the world, they keep in touch with what God is doing on the front lines. While there is no doubt about their seniority in education, the spirit of camaraderie in the ministry has pervaded and inspired all of us who follow. Special thanks must be extended to my mentor during the doctoral program, Dr. Paul Pierson, one of those special people God is using in unusual ways as missionary statesman and educator. His wide ranging knowledge has been a source of help when the resources didn't seem to be available. His evident concern for people, coupled with an insistence on high academic standards, have been a constant challenge pushing me to completion when the path seemed too steep or the effort too great. His advocacy on my behalf has obtained the needed measure of grace when deadlines have been missed due to extenuating circumstances of ministry and study. Many thanks, Dr. Pierson! At times our supporting churches have wondered whether this study course would ever come to successful closure. An undergirding sense of accountability to this group which God has put at our side has been a strong motivation to run the course well. Thanks to their unwavering support it finally has come to a conclusion. In the economy of the Lord, each one has a share in the fruit of these years and the ministry which results from the completed course. The convergence of ministry and study has given me the privilege to know and love many of those who have been leaders of the churches of their nations. I acknowledge that the insights gained from these personal contacts have given direction to the content of this dissertation. No doubt it is appropriate that the research required much travel. Every aspect of the Christian ministry will sooner or later require face to face contact. In that sense many of the ideas expressed through this volume were either initiated or amplified through these contacts. Frequently no specific credit is given because it became evident that the ideas were representative of the larger picture of the ministry of evangelical fellowship organizations. I have relied heavily on friends and colleagues in the ministry for in-depth penetration into related themes which are only summarily touched here as part of the larger picture. It is appropriate that the work of the Bible Societies is referred to frequently within certain parts of this volume. Not ¡Error!Marcador no definido. only were their workers the true pioneers of the Gospel ministry in Latin America, but many Bible Society workers of this generation have been close friends through the years, sharing a similar global concern for the unreached and the edification of the churches. In that respect it is a joy to make special mention of my friend and Colombian colleague, Luciano Jaramillo, who served for many years as Distribution Consultant for the American Bible Societies. As one of my predecessors and mentors in the presidency of CEDEC he continues to carry that representative Colombian ministry on his heart. His generous help through the channels of the Bible Societies supplied several of the documents that were unobtainable otherwise. Special acknowledgement goes also to the leadership of OC International (Overseas Crusades), the mission agency with whom we are serving. Their commitment to strengthening and multiplying the local churches throughout the nations of the world has been unswerving. Their ongoing concern for the unity of the Body of Christ has made it possible to treat this research as an important priority ministry. The last acknowledgement goes to my wife, Carolyn, and our four children. Her companionship in the vicissitudes of ministry has been priceless. Her vision for the completion of this course, especially the dissertation, has been a steady encouragement. I think her turn for further study is due next! The children have had to tolerate a resident father who has been unavailable for many of these last months. But their understanding acceptance and help in picking up the slack in family activities has been a welcomed assistance. After living through graduate studies that have covered a period of seventeen years, it seems like a regular part of life. In turn, two of our children have now finished their own university degrees, one is currently involved and another is ready to start. Praise be to God for the multiplied grace which stands behind each acknowledgment made here, and for the many that should have been made but weren't. ¡Error!Marcador no definido. TABLE OF CONTENTS ¡Error!Marcador no definido. ¡Error!Marcador no definido. LIST OF TABLES Number Page 1 Patterns of Historic Convergence..................................................................................................58 2 National Historic Profile: Brazil ...................................................................................................74 3 National Historic Profile: Argentina.............................................................................................82 4 National Historic Profile: Paraguay..............................................................................................87