South Argentine Conference

By Angel Jesús Torrel Shapiama, Eugenio Di Dionisio, and Silvia C. Scholtus

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Angel Jesús Torrel Shapiama

Eugenio Di Dionisio

Silvia C. Scholtus

First Published: May 29, 2021

The South Argentine Conference (Asociación Argentina del Sur or AAS) is an administrative unit of the Seventh-day Adventist Church within the territory of Argentina Union Conference (Unión Argentina or UA). It is headquartered on 376 Street 22, East, Km 1175, Zip Code: 8332, in the city of General Roca, Rio Negro province, Argentine Republic.1

Territory and Statistics

This administrative unit is responsible for advancing the Adventist work in the Argentinean Patagonia, specifically in the provinces of Chubut, La Pampa, Río Negro, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego, and in the southern region of the province of Buenos Aires. In the entire AAS territory there is a population of 3,631,071, of whom 13,863 are Adventist believers. The ratio is one Adventist per 262 inhabitants. This mission field is organized into 26 pastoral districts, with a total of 141 congregations (83 organized churches and 58 groups).2

The AAS administers nine institutions of the Adventist Educational Network. The schools that offer initial, primary, and secondary education are: Instituto Adventista Bahía Blanca (Manuel Belgrano) [Bahia Blanca (Manuel Belgrano) Adventist Academy], located in the city of Bahía Blanca, province of Buenos Aires, with 354 students;3 Instituto Adventista de Caleta Olivia (Caleta Olivia Adventist Academy), located in the city of Caleta Olivia, province of Santa Cruz, with 790 students;4 Instituto Adventista de Comodoro Rivadavia (Comodoro Rivadavia Adventist Academy), which has two buildings—one for the initial and primary levels and another for the secondary level—in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, province of Chubut, with a total of 495 students;5 Instituto Adventista General Roca (General Roca Adventist Academy), located in the city of General Roca, province of Río Negro, with 361 students;6 Instituto Adventista de La Pampa (La Pampa Adventist Academy), located in the city of Santa Rosa, province of La Pampa, with 431 students;7 and Instituto Adventista de Villa Regina (Villa Regina Adventist Academy), located in the city of Villa Regina, Río Negro, with 266 students.8

Schools that offer primary education are: Escuela Adventista de Trelew (Dr. Nicolas Avellaneda) (Trelew [Dr. Nicolas Avellaneda] Adventist Academy), located in the city of Trelew, Chubut, with 165 students;9 Escuela Adventista de Neuquén (Neuquén Adventist Academy), located in the city and province of Neuquén, with 281 students;10 and Escuela Adventista de Viedma (Viedma Adventist Academy), located in the city of Viedma, Río Negro, with 211 students. Through all these institutions, the Adventist Educational Network educates 3,354 children and adolescents.11

In the communication area, the message of salvation and the soon return of Jesus is broadcast in the ASS territory by eight radio stations managed by the Red Nuevo Tiempo (Adventist Media Center), Argentine branch. The radio stations are located in Bahía Blanca (103.5 FM), Trelew (88.3 FM), Macachín (103.5 FM), Santa Rosa (88.1 FM), Neuquén (100.5 FM), Ingeniero Buratovich (97.5 FM), Necochea (91.9 FM), and Tornquist (88.7 FM). These last three stations broadcast the programs in the province of Buenos Aires.12 The potential audience for these stations is 880,273 people.13

Currently, AAS fulfills the mission through the work of 430 people, of whom 33 are pastors (24 with ministerial credentials and nine licensed). There are also 14 workers with missionary credentials and four with missionary licenses. The other employees work in administrative or educational functions.14

Origin of the Adventist Work in the Conference Territory

In December 1891, the first three missionary canvassers arrived in Argentina,15 sent by the Missionary Tract Society to spread Adventist literature in that region. These were Elwin Snyder, Clair A. Nowlin, and A. B. Stauffer. Initially, these men only had literature in English, French, or German. Although they did not speak Spanish, their desire to share the gospel motivated them to go everywhere and take advantage of all the opportunities they had. Nowlin and Snyder operated in Buenos Aires among the English-speaking people. Stauffer, who was fluent in German and English, went to visit German and French-speaking settlers in the provinces of Santa Fe and Entre Ríos, in northeastern Argentina.16

The first initiative to share the message in the extreme south of the South American continent happened in 1893, when Nowlin extended his activities along the east coast of Argentina and reached the Malvinas Islands—the South American archipelago located in the Argentine Sea, about 500 kilometers from the coast. While in that region, Nowlin sold many books to the inhabitants, who were mostly British. In this way, Clair A. Nowlin became the first Adventist missionary to visit and evangelize that area through the sale of literature. However, many years passed before another canvasser return to that area.17

The church in South America decided that the Sabbath School offerings in 1912 would be dedicated to the work among the natives of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, and the Malvinas Islands. A missionary canvasser was sent to preach in these last-mentioned places.18 It was not until November 1913, with the arrival of Arthur G. Nelson and his wife, that another missionary was sent to the southern part of the South American continent.19 That same year, the Church sent Luis Ernst to start Adventist work in the southern and western areas of the province of Buenos Aires. Ernst was active in the Bahía Blanca and Villa Alba areas, and he also served those interested in the Adventist message in the province of La Pampa.20

Four months after the church sent a missionary to the southern tip of South America, in February 1914, action was taken to establish a mission in the southern parts of Argentina and Chile. This mission would include the territories of the Argentine provinces of Chubut, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego, and the Malvinas Islands, in addition to the section of the Strait of Magellan in Chile. This new administrative unit would be under the direction of the Unión Sudamericana (South American Union Conference) now known as Unión Argentina (Argentina Union Conference).21

When the Nelsons arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile, to assume leadership of the mission, they dedicated themselves to canvassing work.22 During their work, the Nelson couple met a Sabbath-keeper who already lived in that area.23 Nelson also worked in Tierra del Fuego. He and his wife stayed there for many years and, during that time, they worked hard and persisted in communicating the gospel. As the area was sparsely populated, in 1918 they were authorized to buy a car in order to travel more easily. Little by little, the fruits of their preaching emerged—mostly among the English-speaking inhabitants. At that time, the methods used for evangelism first involved providing people with medical knowledge, which broke down barriers for selling books and offering Bible studies.24

Although the mission was organized in 1914, it was not named until June 1917, when it was voted that its name would be Misión de Magallanes (Magallanes Mission), which was not officially recognized until 1927.25 At that time, neither the distance nor the cold were able to dampen the spirit of the pioneers. Pastor Frank Westphal, for example, worked in Chile in 1918. After a series of evangelistic meetings and, due to Nelson’s work, he baptized several people in the southern part of the country.26

During the public meetings, Mrs. Mengisen, a German woman, bought a German version of Daniel y Apocalipsis (Daniel and Revelation) by Uriah Smith. A short time after reading the entire book and attending public meetings, this woman accepted Adventist beliefs. Soon after Westphal departed, she was baptized by Nelson. At the end of 1918 her two sons, Niels and Pablo Wensell, were also baptized. Other people who accepted Adventist beliefs were members of the Derpich family.27

In January 1919, Nelson, Niels Wensell, and José Derpich began visiting territory a little further north. A few weeks later, Juan Colosov went by boat to Río Gallegos, in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. From there he continued canvassing in many places until he reached Puerto Deseado—approximately 650 kilometers away.28 Those four men met near Puerto Deseado, where they organized their activities. Nelson and Wensell continued by car, while Derpich and Colosov followed the railroad tracks to the city of Las Heras, Santa Cruz. Although they all agreed to meet in Comodoro Rivadavia, in the province of Chubut, Argentina, Derpich and Colosov became discouraged on the way and stopped canvassing. Nelson and Wensell continued their canvassing tour to Trelew, in the Chubut Valley. At that time, Nelson met two families who had begun keeping the Sabbath.29

Later, Wensell continued to canvass and work in that area, while Nelson traveled to the Sanatorio Adventista del Plata (River Plate Sanitarium), due to a health problem.30 In 1920 the mission office was moved to Chubut, Argentina. Nelson’s wife also had health problems, so they had to leave Punta Arenas, Chile. Meanwhile, in 1921 the canvassers J. T. Thompson and Andrés Ascione began to work in the Argentine provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro, opening the way for other missionary canvassers to visit those places later. In 1926 Wensell went again to Chubut and reported about the growth of the congregation.31

In 1927, once the Magallanes Mission was made official under the direction of C. A. Andersen, the administrative headquarters was established in the city of Punta Arenas, province of Magallanes, in Chile. At that time there were 14 Adventists in the entire territory, which included the provinces of Chubut, Neuquén, Río Negro, and the territory of Magallanes, Chile, in addition to one organized church.32

In the 1930s, although the Adventist church grew gradually in that region, its influence was already recognized by people. In 1933, the governor of Neuquén asked Adventists to assist with the education of the natives.33 This request demonstrated the trust that the Church was gaining due to its work for the benefit of society. At that time, almost 40 years after C. A. Nowlin started canvassing in the Falkland Islands, Roy Chamberlayne, another canvasser, visited that area. He stayed there during 1933 and 1934.34

The Magallanes Mission operated until 1941, when it had its offices in the city of Trelew, Chubut, in Argentina. Its last director was Pastor J. D. Replogle. From there he pastored two organized churches (with 36 members) and five Sabbath school groups (with 63 people) for three years. Pastor J. D. Replogle was assisted by the work of two canvassers who worked throughout the mission territory.35

In 1942 the Austral Union Conference, which until a year earlier had seven administrative units, decided that Adventist work in the geographic territory that comprised the Magallanes Mission except for the Chilean region of Magallanes, should be administered by the Asociación de Buenos Aires or ABA (Buenos Aires Conference), now known as Asociación Bonaerense (still Buenos Aires Conference). Thus, the ABA, which administered the advance of the Adventist work in the city of Buenos Aires and in the provinces of La Pampa, Neuquén, and Río Negro, added the provinces of Chubut, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego, and the Malvinas Islands to its territory. During this transition, the president of the ABA was Walter Schubert.36

In the 1950s the canvassing work continued. In Neuquén, capital of the province with the same name, a wealthy Arab builder began to build a house and a temple for religious purposes. His intention was that people of the same religion could meet and worship their God. However, the economic situation in the region was not favorable. Therefore, the construction stopped. One day this man’s dog went out into the street and spent a long time there for unknown reasons. When it returned home, it carried a very interesting book between its teeth. Although the book was damaged, incomplete, and difficult to read, its content caught the attention of the dog’s master.37

That same day, two young student canvassers knocked on the door of that man’s house. When they showed him the books they were selling, the builder recognized that the book found by his pet was from the same publisher that these young people represented. Because of what he had read, and the influence of these young people, the Arab subsequently decided to become a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. The unfinished construction, which was to have been a temple for another denomination, ended up being donated and dedicated for use by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In this way, God used an animal and two young men to convert a man and to provide a building for the church in the city of Neuquén.38

Over the years additional reorganization took place in the territory of the Austral Union Conference. These modifications were always intended to better serve the members of the church and to preach the gospel more effectively. In 1960 the territory of the Austral Union Conference was reorganized. As of 1961, the area covered by the Buenos Aires Conference was divided into two parts, and another mission was added to the territory of the Austral Union Conference—the Misión Patagónica (Patagonia Mission). In its first year of operation, this mission was headquartered in Trelew, Chubut. The first president of the new administrative unit was Pastor Arturo Utz. Hugo Schmidt was secretary-treasurer.39

The Patagonian Mission began with four organized churches and 402 Adventist members. Its territory included the Argentine provinces of Chubut, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands.40 In the following years, the address of the administrative headquarters changed several times. In 1962 the headquarters was moved a few meters away from the previous location.41 The following year, the mission offices moved to the same address as the Adventist church and school in the port city of Bahía Blanca, province of Buenos Aires. This change happened when the city of Bahía Blanca and the southern part of the province of Buenos Aires were added to the mission territory.42 In 1964, the headquarters was relocated again in the same city of Bahía Blanca.43

In the years that followed, there was strong growth in the work of Adventist education in the Patagonian Mission. Many Adventist schools were inaugurated to contribute to the integral development of children and adolescents through the means of offering them Christian education. In 1965 in the city of Caleta Olivia, province of Santa Cruz, the current Instituto Adventista Caleta Olivia (Caleta Olivia Adventist Academy) began its classes on land donated by the local municipality, with “28 students distributed between the first and third degree of elementary school.”44 In the province of Chubut, an Adventist school was established in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, when the present Instituto Adventista de Comodoro Rivadavia (Comodoro Rivadavia Adventist Academy) began its school activities.45

In 1971 the Austral Union Conference decided to restructure the administrative units of the Church in Argentina.46 For this reason, as of 1972, the geographical areas covered by the Cuyo Mission and the Patagonian Mission were joined with other conferences.47 Thus, the Patagonian Mission, with its 1,530 members and seven organized churches, joined the Buenos Aires Conference.48 This conference, headquartered in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, reintegrating all the provinces in southern Argentina, was renamed the Asociación Argentina del Sur (South Argentine Conference). Thus, the South Argentine Conference, in its new configuration, began to manage the progress of the Adventist work in part of the province of Buenos Aires and in the southern provinces of the country (Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego, and the Malvinas Islands), in addition to the city of Buenos Aires and the province of La Pampa.49

In 1975 the church in this region, after purchasing a 10-hectare piece of land near Villa La Angostura, Neuquén, inaugurated the Peumayén Adventist Camp, which was created to accommodate meetings and activities of the church in the midst of nature. It contained “cabins, a large cafeteria, bathrooms, a forest, and a beautiful beach of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Providing the best natural environment for its visitors to get closer to God.”50

In 1978 Adventist preaching began in the city of Río Gallegos, in the province of Santa Cruz. The first step was a series of meetings by Pastor Juan Carlos Sicalo. Public evangelism and Adventist education initiatives in the southern Argentine territory contributed to the steady growth of the South Argentine Conference.51

During the 1980s, new Adventist schools were inaugurated in that region. One of them was established to benefit the residents of the neighborhood Villa Tomás Masón Sur, in the city of Santa Rosa, province of La Pampa. However, Escuela Adventista 264 (Adventist Academy 264), now Instituto Adventista de La Pampa (La Pampa Adventist Academy) started with only a temporary permit and soon closed. Nonetheless, in 1983 that small school resumed its activities with approximately 14 students.52 In 1984 the South Argentine Conference had its name changed again. This happened because a reconfiguration of the church in the Argentine territory became necessary and leadership decided to reorganize the territory and form a new administrative unit responsible for the southern provinces. This new institution was named Misión Argentina del Sur (MAS), (South Argentine Mission), and, for this reason, the South Argentine Conference once again adopted the name Asociación Bonaerense, (Buenos Aires Conference).53

Conference Organizational History

As proposed by the Austral Union Conference, the South Argentine Mission (MAS) was established in 1985.54 Its first president was Pastor Daniel Arn and the secretary-treasurer was Basilio Zawadzki. Since then, the activities of this administrative unit have been concentrated in the provinces of Chubut, La Pampa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland Islands, and the South Atlantic Islands, as well as the southern region of the province of Buenos Aires. The city chosen to be the headquarters of MAS was Bahía Blanca, in the province of Buenos Aires. The number of churches in the first year of operation of this administrative unit was 21, with 4,558 members, among a total population of 1,587,505. The ratio of Adventists to inhabitants was one member per 348 people.55

Sometime after the creation of the mission, more Adventist schools were established. On May 13, 1989, the Escuela Primaria Adventista, Perla del Valle, now Instituto Adventista de Villa Regina (Villa Regina Adventist Academy), was inaugurated in the province of Río Negro, with a total of 28 students (15 in the first grade of elementary school, and 13 in preschool).56 Two years later, in 1991, at the request and initiative of the Adventist Church Board, the first Adventist school established in Patagonia, and closed in 1972, reopened its doors as Escuela Adventista General Roca (General Roca Adventist Academy), now Instituto Adventista General Roca (General Roca Adventist Academy), for four-year-olds. In the following years, due to the great demand, this school found it necessary to purchase additional land in order to offer Adventist education at all levels. The establishment of new Adventist academies demonstrated the understanding that existed among the members: education and evangelism go together for the purpose of redeeming future generations.57

In 1998 the entire country entered into what became a four-year depression, during which its economy reduced by 28 percent. The well-known Argentine Economic Crisis (1998-2002) not only affected the economy and national politics, but also influenced the lives of all Argentines, including church members. During those years, peoples’ purchasing power declined, the national currency was devalued, and unemployment and poverty increased.58 However, even in the midst of that national crisis, MAS leadership guided the church in that part of the country in the best possible way. Through administrative adjustments and the fidelity of the members, the church developed and maintained several missionary projects.59

Even amid the challenges, the mission grew and in 2008 membership surpassed 10,000. Until 2008, the church in that region had an average annual growth of 16 percent. Thus, 24 years after being established as an administrative unit in the territory of the Argentina Union Conference (UA), MAS obtained the status of conference. Growth in membership, the good work done during those years, and the good economic balance, were some of the reasons for this change. In the presence of the leaders of UA and the South American Division (SAD), on December 27, 2009, the constitution of the new South Argentine Conference was voted on and approved by the delegates present, to come into effect the following year.60

Once the South Argentine Conference was established, Pastor Adrián Bentancor was appointed to work as its president.61 The new territory covered the provinces that MAS had been serving until then, except for the Falkland Islands and the South Atlantic Islands, which were no longer part of that field.62 With this modification, AAS began to administer 71 organized churches and lead 11,097 members, in a wide geographic area, with a population of 2,871,745.63 Plans and strategies were then made for the future of the institution, including the construction of a new and larger headquarters. In order to have a space that better represented the institutional image of the SDA church, and to better meet the demands of the members, it was planned to build a 1,056 square meter building. Construction work began on June 18, 2010, and the inauguration took place on November 19, 2012. Since then, the AAS offices have been located in General Roca, Río Negro.64

Later some changes occurred in the territory of AAS. In 2014 this administrative unit gave the Daireaux district, in the province of Buenos Aires, to the Buenos Aires Conference. At the same time, AAS launched the Templos de Esperanza (Temples of Hope) project, which was an initiative to promote the construction of new churches in that region.65 Hence, with the contributions from all the members of the conference, in addition to the financial aid from the UA, in the period from 2010 to 2015, seven new churches were built. The aim of the AAS was to strengthen Adventist presence and work in Global Mission areas66 in large cities.67

In addition to constant attention to structural needs, evangelistic efforts continued to be made in many areas. Aiding in the discipleship of children and youth, the Pathfinder Club68 and Adventurer Club ministries69 have contributed to the conversion and preservation of many young people in the Church. Both ministries carry out activities that seek the integral development of their members, such as Camporí (Camporee, or Pathfinder Camp) and Aventurí (Adventurer Camp) programs.70 From December 3 to 7, 2015, the AAS Camporí-Aventurí brought together nearly 1,500 Pathfinders and Adventurers in an event whose motto was Yo soy el Mensaje (I am the Message), which took place at the facilities of the Peumayén Adventist Camp, in Neuquén.71 In the AAS territory there are 45 Pathfinder clubs, with 1,258 participants, and 35 Adventurer clubs, with 707 members.72

In the entire field of the South Argentine Conference there are around 338 Small Groups73 and 891 Missionary Pairs.74 Both missionary fronts work to attract more people to Christ and prepare them for His second coming.75 Furthermore, in recent years, AAS leaders and members have participated in the 10 días de Oración (10 Days of Prayer) project,76 which was developed by SAD to strengthen the faith and daily fellowship of its members through prayer and study of God’s Word.77 Another activity that mobilizes the entire church year after year is the evangelistic program Impacto Esperanza (Hope Impact),78 through which the church in Patagonia has the opportunity to distribute hope by means of free missionary books, whether physical or digital.79

In 2020 the AAS team was challenged by the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). This situation made it difficult for AAS to achieve its plans for the year. Regular worship services in the churches were cancelled. However, new measures were taken by the church administration. Computer programs and other means of communication were the tools that AAS used to reach out to church members and also to evangelize. In recent months, meetings for worship and Bible study have been held remotely. Thus, the propagation of the Three Angels’ Messages has not stopped. Preaching through social media has intensified. Pastors, church workers, and lay members are reaching people who, in ordinary circumstances, might not be reached.80

In this and other ways, the church in the southern region of Argentina has fulfilled its mission. The institutional history of AAS has shown that, under God’s direction, it is always possible to excel in the face of adversity. Furthermore, history shows that neither the lack of economic resources, nor health problems, nor great distances, nor even low temperatures, have been able to discourage the Adventist believers in this region. Regarding the future of the conference, the leadership plans to continue promoting Fellowship, Relationship, and Mission among the members. This will be done so that everyone can be part of the church’s discipleship program: Discipular: gente que cuida de gente (Discipleship: people who care for people). Thus, the members and leaders of the South Argentine Conference will continue to announce the imminent coming of Jesus Christ and His kingdom of peace.81

Chronology of Administrative Leaders82

Presidents: Daniel Arn (1985); Carlos Rubén Mayer (1986-1992); Víctor A. Peto (1993); Carlos Hein (1994-1998); Orlando Ciuffardi (1999-2003); Oscar Wasiuk (2004-2009); Adrián Bentancor (2010-2013); Jorge Luis Wiebusch Martins (2014-2017); Elvio S. Silvero (2017-present).

Secretaries: Basilio Zawadzki (1985-1987); Orlando Daniel Hengen (1988-1989); Jorge de la Rosa (1990-1992); Amilcar Quispe (1993-1997); Alberto Lencinas (1998-2006); Hugo Lavooy (2007-2008); Adrián Bentancor (2009); Diego Barreiro (2010-2013); Jorge Luis Wiebusch Martins (2013-2014); Roberto Cansina (2014-2017); Fabián Andrés Pérez (2018-present).

Treasurers: Basilio Zawadzki (1985-1987); Orlando Daniel Hengen (1988-1989); Jorge de la Rosa (1990-1992); Amilcar Quispe (1993-1997); Alberto Lencinas (1998-2006); Hugo Lavooy (2007-2012); Raúl Kahl (2012-2016); Germán Daniel Brunelli (2017-present).83

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Leiva, Segundo Arturo. “Bautismo en Zapala” [Baptism in Zapala]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 10, year 87 (September 1987).

Lust, Arbin. “Congresos distritales en el sur argentino” [District congresses in southern Argentina]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 9, year 84 (September 1984).

Mammana, Fernando. “El evangelio llega a lugares recónditos del sur argentino” [The gospel reaches remote places in southern Argentina]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 5, year 109 (May 2009).

Marucco, Alberto A. “Misión Argentina del Sur” [South Argentine Mission]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 11, year 88 (November 1988).

Materiales y Recursos Adventistas – División Sudamericana [Adventist Materials and Resources South American Division]. https://downloads.adventistas.org/es/.

Ministerio de los Conquistadores y Aventureros [AAS Pathfinders and Adventurers Ministry]. https://clubes.adventistas.org/es/ua/aas.

Nelson, A. G. “Nota” [Note]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 20, year 21 (September 26, 1921).

Nelson, A. G. “Colportando en Patagonia” [Canvassing in Patagonia]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 3, year 19 (March 23, 1919).

Nelson, A. G. “La Misión de Magallanes” [Magallanes Mission]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 11, year 19 (November 20, 1919).

Nelson, A. G. “Misión Magallanes” [Magallanes Mission]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 4, year 20 (April 22, 1920).

Nelson, A. G. “Patagonia.” ARH, August 5, 1915.

Nelson, A. G. “Patagonia.” ARH, November 11, 1915.

Nelson, A. G. “Punta Arenas, Chile.” La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 6, year 14 (June 1914).

Nelson, A. G. “Work in Patagonia.” ARH, January 18, 1917.

“Nota Editorial 8” [Editorial Note 8]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 8, year 12 (August 1912).

“Nueva sede para la AAS” [New headquarters for the AAS]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 1, year 113, January 2013.

“Otros cambios en la organización” [Other changes in the organization], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 1, year 110, January 2010.

Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-Day Adventist Church website]. https://www.adventistas.org/es/.

Posse, Hugo D. “De una gira por el sur” [About a tour in the south]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 1, year 85 (January 1985).

Posse, Hugo D. “El promisorio sur” [The promising south]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 11, year 80 (November 1980).

Posse, Hugo D. “Escuela Pampeana fue incorporada” [Pampa Academy was incorporated]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 8, year 87 (August 1987).

Posse, Hugo D. “Recorriendo el sur argentino” [Touring southern Argentina]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 1, year 91 (January 1991).

Ramos, Carlos. “La iglesia más austral de la Argentina” [The southernmost church in Argentina]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 2, year 81 (February 1981).

Raso, Bruno. “Nueva Misión Argentina del Sur” [New South Argentine Mission]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 4, year 85 (April 1985).

Red Nuevo Tiempo [Adventist Media Center]. https://www.nuevotiempo.org/.

“Resoluciones tomadas por la Conferencia Unión” [Resolutions taken by the Union Conference]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 3, year 14, March 1914.

Sandoval, Isaac. “Diputado Nacional recibe libro Esperanza para la Familia” [National Deputy receives book Hope for the Family]. Noticias Adventistas [Adventist News] (Online), April 17, 2019.

Saxton, Jim. “La Crisis Económica Argentina: causas y remedios - Informe del Comité Económico Conjunto Congreso de los Estados Unidos de América” [The Argentine Economic Crisis: causes and remedies - Report of the United States Congress Joint Economic Committee]. Argentina Days (Online), June 2013.

Seventh-day Adventist Online Statistics. http://www.adventiststatistics.org/.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/.

Snyder, E. W. “The Work in Argentina.” The General Conference Bulletin 1, no. extra (March 4, 1895).

Snyder, E. W. and C. A. Nowlen. “The Work in South America.” The Home Missionary 4, no. 4 (April 1982).

Spicer, William A. Our Story of Missions for Colleges and Academies. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press, 1921.

Statistical Report 1941. Washington, D. C.: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1941.

Thomann, Eduardo W. “El comienzo de la obra en la América del Sur – 18” [The beginning of the work in South America – 18]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 9, year 34 (September 3, 1934).

Thomann, Eduardo W. “La Cuarta Reunión Bienal de la Conferencia Unión Sudamericana” [The Fourth Biennial Meeting of the South American Union Conference]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 4, year 12 (April 1912).

Thomann, Eduardo W. “La Reunión Anual de la Conferencia Argentina” [The Annual Meeting of the Argentine Conference]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 12, year 13 (December 1913).

Thomann, Eduardo W. “Reseña de los Congresos de la División y Unión Austral” [Review of the Congresses of the South American Division Conference and Austral Union Conference]. La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 7, year 20 (March 25, 1920).

Westphal, Francisco H. Hasta el fin del mundo: liderando la Misión en Sudamérica [Until the end of the world: leading the mission in South America]. Libertador San Martín: River Plate Adventist University, 2018.

Notes

  1. Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “South Argentine Conference,” accessed on September 13, 2020, https://bit.ly/3bTM7xO.

  2. “South American Division,” 2020 Annual Statistical Report, volume 2 (Silver Spring, MD: Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2020), 9; Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “South Argentine Conference,” accessed on September 13, 2020, https://bit.ly/3bTM7xO.

  3. Instituto Adventista Bahía Blanca [Bahia Blanca Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/2FIBfqu.

  4. Instituto Adventista Caleta Olivia [Caleta Olivia Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/2E6to5T.

  5. Instituto Adventista Comodoro Rivadavia [Comodoro Rivadavia Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3iAU8dP; Iglesia Adventista Comodoro Rivadavia [Comodoro Rivadavia Adventist Church], “Educación Adventista – Iglesia Adventista de Comodoro Rivadavia” [Adventist Education – Comodoro Rivadavia Adventist Church], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3c2tat3.

  6. Escuela Adventista General Roca [General Roca Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3hFSmqm.

  7. Instituto Adventista La Pampa [La Pampa Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/32CYPOJ.

  8. Instituto Adventista Villa Regina [Villa Regina Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3mub7AE.

  9. Escuela Adventista Trelew [Trelew Adventist Academy], “Home,” accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3mrzzCS.

  10. Escuela Adventista Neuquén [Neuquén Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/2E78Bz9.

  11. Escuela Adventista Viedma [Viedma Adventist Academy], “Home,” accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/2ZGNKdC.

  12. Red Nuevo Tiempo [Adventist Media Center], “Radio Nuevo Tiempo: Dónde Escuchar” [New Time Radio: Where to listen], accessed on August 23, 2020, https://bit.ly/2w5emcB.

  13. City Population, “Argentina: División Administrativa (Provincias, Departamentos y Partidos)” [Argentina: Administrative Division (Provinces, Departments and Parties)], accessed on September 3, 2002, https://bit.ly/3155Bfa.

  14. “South American Division,” 2019 Annual Statistical Report: New Series, Volume 1 (Silver Spring, MD.: Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2019), 62.

  15. “The canvassers […] are missionaries who are in charge of sowing the Christian seed, through the delivery of thousands of books […]. Many of them make a harvest week at the end of their campaign. […] All big cities are divided into small sectors and marked on the map, and the canvassers are assigned to the areas that must be covered and served.” Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Publicaciones - Grandes Ciudades” [Publications - Big Cities], accessed on July 22, 2020, https://bit.ly/32PLYcx.

  16. E. W. Snyder, “The Work in Argentina,” The General Conference Bulletin 1, no. extra 19 (March 4, 1895): 461-462; E. W. Snyder and C. A. Nowlen, “The Work in South America,” The Home Missionary 4, no. 4 (April 1982): 91.

  17. Eduardo W. Thomann, “El comienzo de la obra en la América del Sur – 18” [The beginning of the work in South America – 18], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 9, year 34 (September 3, 1934): 6; Walton John Brown, “A Historical Study of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Austral South America”, vol. 1 (PhD Thesis in Philosophy, University of Southern California, California, 1953), 60; Francisco H. Westphal, Hasta el fin del mundo: liderando la misión en Sudamérica [Until the end of the world: leading the mission in South America] (Libertador San Martín: River Plate Adventist University, 2018), chapters 8 and 13.

  18. Eduardo W. Thomann, “La Cuarta Reunión Bienal de la Conferencia Unión Sudamericana” [The Fourth Biennial Meeting of the South American Union Conference], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 4, year 12 (April 1912): 12.

  19. Eduardo W. Thomann, “La Reunión Anual de la Conferencia Argentina” [The Annual Meeting of the Argentine Conference], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 12, year 13 (December 1913): 22.

  20. “Nota Editorial 8” [Editorial Note 8], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 8, year 12 (August 1912): 16; Luis Ernst, “Bahía Blanca, Rep. Argentina,” La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 10, year 12 (October 1912): 10.

  21. “Resoluciones tomadas por la Conferencia Unión” [Resolutions taken by the Union Conference], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 3, year 14 (March 1914): 11.

  22. Canvassing “is a way of doing missionary work through the distribution of books and magazines, achieving many benefits. Among them, economic resources to study at a University or as livelihood.” Adventistas Buenos Aires - Zona Norte [Buenos Aires Adventists - North Zone], Facebook post, October 11, 2018 (11:47 a.m.), accessed on July 27, 2020, https://bit.ly/2CITsU1.

  23. A. G. Nelson, “Punta Arenas, Chile,” La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 6, year 14 (June 1914): 11; William A. Spicer, Our Story of Missions for Colleges and Academies (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press, 1921), 260; Walton John Brown, “A Historical Study of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Austral South America”, vol. 4 (Ph.D. Thesis in Philosophy, University of Southern California, California, 1953), 853.

  24. A. G. Nelson, “Patagonia,” ARH, August 5, 1915, 16; A. G. Nelson, “Patagonia,” ARH, November 11, 1915, 5; A. G. Nelson, “Work in Patagonia,” ARH, January 18, 1917, 11; “J. W. Westphal sends this good word regarding the work in Patagonia…”, ARH, September 11, 1919, 32; Floyd Greenleaf, A Land of Hope (Tatuí, SP: Brazil Publishing House, 2011), 159.

  25. Walton John Brown, “A Historical Study of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Austral South America”, vol. 4 (PhD Thesis in Philosophy, University of Southern California, California, 1953), 855-856; “Magellan Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1928), 195.

  26. A. G. Nelson, “Misión Magallanes” [Magallanes Mission], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 4, year 20 (April 22, 1920): 12; Walton John Brown, “A Historical Study of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Austral South America,” vol. 4 (PhD Thesis in Philosophy, University of Southern California, California, 1953), 858; Francisco H. Westphal, Hasta el fin del mundo: liderando la misión en Sudamérica [Until the end of the world: leading the mission in South America] (Libertador San Martín: River Plate Adventist University, 2018), chapter 13.

  27. Ibid.

  28. A. G. Nelson, “Colportando en Patagonia” [Canvassing in Patagonia], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 3, year 19 (March 23, 1919): 14; A. G. Nelson, “La Misión de Magallanes” [Magallanes Mission], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 11, year 19 (November 20, 1919): 9; A. G. Nelson, “Misión Magallanes” [Magallanes Mission], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 4, year 20 (April 22, 1920): 12; Walton John Brown, “A Historical Study of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Austral South America,” vol. 4 (Ph.D. Thesis in Philosophy, University of Southern California, California, 1953), 859.

  29. Ibid.

  30. Ibid.

  31. Eduardo W. Thomann, “Reseña de los Congresos de la División y Unión Austral” [Review of the Congresses of the South American Division Conference and Austral Union Conference], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 7, year 20 (March 25, 1920): 14, 16; A. G. Nelson, “Nota” [Note], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 20, year 21 (September 26, 1921): 8; Walton John Brown, “A Historical Study of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Austral South America,” vol. 4 (Ph.D. Thesis in Philosophy, University of Southern California, California, 1953), 860.

  32. “Magellan Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1928), 195.

  33. Pedro M. Brouchy, “Un pedido del gobernador de Neuquén” [A request from the governor of Neuquén], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 10, year 33 (May 8, 1933): 10-11.

  34. Eduardo W. Thomann, “El comienzo de la obra en la América del Sur – 18” [The beginning of the work in South America – 18], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 9, year 34 (September 3, 1934): 6; Walton John Brown, “A Historical Study of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Austral South America,” vol. 1 (Ph.D. Thesis in Philosophy, University of Southern California, California, 1953), 60.

  35. “Magellan Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1942), 136; “South American Division,” Statistical Report 1941 (Washington, D.C.: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1941), 12.

  36. “Buenos Aires Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1943), 143.

  37. J. Humberto Cairus, “Neuquen,” South American Bulletin 33, no. 3 (July-September, 1957): 3.

  38. Ibid.

  39. “Patagonia Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1962), 164.

  40. Ibid.

  41. “Patagonia Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1963), 178.

  42. “Patagonia Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1964), 190-191.

  43. “Patagonia Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1965-1966), 164.

  44. Instituto Adventista Caleta Olivia [Caleta Olivia Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/2E6to5T.

  45. Instituto Adventista Comodoro Rivadavia [Comodoro Rivadavia Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3iAU8dP.

  46. “Austral Union Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1972), 221-225.

  47. “Austral Union Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973-1974), 223-226.

  48. Seventh-day Adventist Online Statistics, “Patagonia Mission -- Yearly Statistics (1961-1971),” accessed on September 21, 2020, https://bit.ly/3kA1iPY; Centro de Multimedia UAP [UAP Multimedia Center], “Historia de la Iglesia Adventista en Argentina” [History of the Adventist Church in Argentina] (video reporting the existence of three conferences in Argentina in 1972, August 7, 2014), accessed on September 23, 2020, https://bit.ly/2EpLpMw.

  49. “South Argentine Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973-1974), 226.

  50. Centro de Multimedia UAP [UAP Multimedia Center], “Historia de la Iglesia Adventista en Argentina” [History of the Adventist Church in Argentina] (video reporting the purchase of the Peumayén Adventist camp in 1975, August 7, 2014), accessed on September 23, 2020, https://bit.ly/3iSTLv8; Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Videos Adventistas – Peumayén en invierno” [Adventist Videos – Peumayén in winter], accessed on September 23, 2020, https://bit.ly/2G33PDg.

  51. Carlos Ramos, “La iglesia más austral de la Argentina” [The southernmost church in Argentina], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 2, year 81 (February 1981): 13-14; Elena R. de Clouzet, “Hokeral 7 en Río Gallegos” [Hokeral 7 in Río Gallegos], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 2, year 77 (February 1977): 19.

  52. Instituto Adventista La Pampa [La Pampa Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/32CYPOJ; “Escuela Pampeana fue incorporada” [Pampa Academy was incorporated], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 8, year 87 (August 1987): 10-11.

  53. “Austral Union Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985), 294-298; “Austral Union Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Hagerstown, MD.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1986), 262-266; For more information on the stories that preceded the organization of the South Argentine Mission, see: Hugo D. Posse, “El promisorio sur” [The promising south], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 11, year 80 (November 1980): 13; Milton C. Gerber, “Obra nueva en Trelew” [New construction in Trelew], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 5, year 83 (May 1983): 16; Arbin Lust, “Congresos distritales en el sur argentino” [District congresses in southern Argentina], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 9, year 84 (September 1984): 25; Guillermo C. Acosta, “Evangelización en el sur” [Evangelization in the South], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 10, year 84 (October 1984): 19.

  54. Bruno Raso, “Nueva Misión Argentina del Sur” [New South Argentine Mission], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 4, year 85 (April 1985): 15; Hugo D. Posse, “De una gira por el sur” [About a tour in the south], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 1, year 85 (January 1985): 14-15; Alberto A. Marucco, “Misión Argentina del Sur” [South Argentine Mission], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 11, year 88 (November 1988): 14.

  55. “South Argentine Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1986), 266.

  56. Instituto Adventista Villa Regina [Villa Regina Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3mub7AE.

  57. Escuela Adventista General Roca [General Roca Adventist Academy], “Nosotros” [About Us], accessed on September 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3hFSmqm.

  58. Jim Saxton, “La Crisis Económica Argentina: causas y remedios - Informe del Comité Económico Conjunto Congreso de los Estados Unidos de América” [The Argentine Economic Crisis: causes and remedies - Report of the United States Congress Joint Economic Committee], Argentina Days, June 2013, accessed on September 23, 2020, https://bit.ly/362ZevQ.

  59. Seventh-day Adventist Online Statistics, “South Argentine Conference - Yearly Statistics (1998-2008)”, accessed on September 23, 2020, https://bit.ly/33WMDYv; Fernando Mammana, “El evangelio llega a lugares recónditos del sur argentino” [The gospel reaches remote places in southern Argentina], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 5, year 109 (May 2009): 22.

  60. Isaac Sandoval, “Nuevas Iglesias Y congregaciones de la MAS” [New churches and congregations of the MAS] (informative video on the new churches and congregations in the congress of the South Argentine Conference, December 27, 2009), accessed on September 23, 2009, https://bit.ly/363d5Cb; Isaac Sandoval, “La MAS se convierte en AAS” [MAS becomes AAS] (informative video of the exact moment in which the constitution of the South Argentine Conference was voted on, December 27, 2009), accessed on September 23, 2020, https://bit.ly/3cnp5zQ; Isaac Sandoval, “Nueva Asociación Argentina del Sur” [New South Argentine Conference] (video with Pastor Erton Köhler, president of the SAD, greeting the new South Argentine Conference, December 28, 2009), accessed on September 23, 2009, https://bit.ly/3hS71Pf.

  61. Isaac Sandoval, “Primer Presidente de la AAS Pastor Adrian Bentancor” [First President of the AAS Pastor Adrian Bentancor] (video presentation of Pastor Adrián Bentancor on the day of his election as the new president of the AAS, December 28, 2009), accessed on September 23, 2020, https://bit.ly/361r0st.

  62. “Otros cambios en la organización” [Other changes in the organization], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 1, year 110, January 2010, 6.

  63. “South Argentine Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Hagerstown, MD.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2011), 268.

  64. “Nueva sede para la AAS” [New headquarters for the AAS], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 1, year 113, January 2013, 20; Iglesia Adventista Argentina [Adventist Church Argentina], “Nueva sede Asociación Argentina del Sur” [New headquarters South Argentine Conference] (video of the history of the new AAS headquarters, inaugurated in 2012, November 23, 2012), accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/33TQHZv.

  65. Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Video Adventistas – Templos Esperanza 2016 en el Sur Argentino” [Video Adventists – Temples of Hope 2016 in the South of Argentina], accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/365npde.

  66. “Global Mission is a branch of the Adventist Mission front line. It is a department of the world Seventh-day Adventist headquarters. Since 1990, Global Mission has established new congregations in unreached areas in the world. [...] The Global Mission projects began as local initiatives. They include the sponsorship of lay members, the so-called pioneers, who volunteer for a minimum period of one year to establish a new congregation in their culture.” Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Misión Global – ¿Qué es Misión Global?” [Global Mission – What is Global Mission?], accessed on July 17, 2020, https://bit.ly/2OzWso4.

  67. Jesús viene, ¡Resplandece! II Congreso de la Unión Argentina [Jesus is coming, shine! II Congress of Argentina Union Conference] (December 16-19, 2015), 55, 67, 68, 86; Roberto Cansina (former secretary of the AAS), report sent to Eugenio Di Dionisio, September 20, 2016.

  68. The Pathfinders Club is made up of “boys and girls aged 10 to 15 years old,” […] They “meet, in general, once a week, in order to develop talents, skills, perceptions and a taste for nature. This group is characterized by thrilling with outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, climbing mountains, exploring forests and caves. [...] The Pathfinders Club is present in more than 160 countries, with 90,000 headquarters and more than two million participants. They legally exist since 1950, as an official program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Boys and girls of any religious faith can join this movement that has diversity, color, and youthful energy.” Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Conquistadores – ¿Quiénes son los Conquistadores?” [Pathfinders – Who are the Pathfinders?], accessed on July 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/3954UoM.

  69. The Adventurers Club is a specific program for children from 6 to 9 years old, created by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in 1972. At the meetings, the children engage in activities focused on physical, mental, and spiritual development. Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Aventureros” [Adventurers], accessed on July 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/32rhb5s.

  70. “Camporí (Camporee) [or Aventurí - Adventurers Camp] is a large camp that gathers teenagers, youth and children who participate in the Pathfinders [or Adventurers] clubs, directed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church around the world.” Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Camporí de Conquistadores de la DSA” [Pathfinders Camporee of the South America Division (SAD)], accessed on July 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/30fhBcx.

  71. “Camporí-Aventurí de la Asociación Argentina del Sur” [Camporee-Adventurers camp of the South Argentine Conference], Noticias Adventistas [Adventist News], December 7, 2015, accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/305fngF.

  72. Ministerio de los Conquistadores y Aventureros AAS [AAS Pathfinders and Adventurers Ministry], “Estadísticas - Asociación Argentina del Sur” [Statistics - South Argentine Conference], accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/3mSD4Tc.

  73. “The grupos pequeños [small groups] (GP) are made up of several people who meet once a week to study the Bible. The SDA church takes this model from the experience of the early Christians. The meetings are conducted by a leader, who directs the Bible study, also supported by a range of materials edited by the SDA.” Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Ministerio Personal – Grupos Pequeños” [Personal Ministries – Small Groups], accessed on July 17, 2020, https://bit.ly/3jf0n7C.

  74. The “Parejas Misioneras” [Missionary Pairs] is an evangelistic project of the Personal Ministries of the Adventist Church in South America. Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Ministerio Personal – Parejas Misioneras” [Personal Ministries – Missionary Pairs], accessed on September 22, 2020, https://bit.ly/2FUO29A.

  75. Iglesia Adventista Argentina [Argentina Adventist Church], “Grupos Pequeños en la Asociación Argentina del Sur” [Small Groups in the South Argentine Conference] (video with statements about the work that God does through Small Groups in the AAS, February 8, 2013), accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/2FXyzWv; Jesús viene, ¡Resplandece! II Congreso de la Unión Argentina [Jesus is coming, shine! II Congress of Argentina Union Conference] (December 16-19, 2015), 55, 67, 68, 86; Roberto Cansina (former secretary of the AAS), report sent to Eugenio Di Dionisio, September 20, 2016.

  76. ‘10 Days of Prayer’ [is] a project coordinated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 8 countries in South America through the Women’s Ministries. Through this project, people can spend more time in prayer. Materiales y Recursos Adventistas – División Sudamericana [Adventist Materials and Resources South American Division], “10 Días de Oración” [10 days of prayer], accessed on July 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/2OJsePz.

  77. Asociación Argentina del Sur [South Argentine Conference], “10 días de oración AAS” [AAS 10 days of prayer] (video presentation on the 10 days of prayer in 2018, February 16, 2018), accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/3kONvoD.

  78. Through the Impacto Esperanza [Hope Impact] project, Adventists in South American encourage reading and distribution of missionary books. In ten years, the Asociación Casa Editora Sudamericana [South American Spanish Publishing House] and Casa Publicadora Brasileña [Brazil Publishing House] have produced more than 170 million missionary books.” Portal de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día [Seventh-day Adventist Church website], “Impacto Esperanza – 10 Años” [Hope Impact – 10 Years], accessed on July 16, 2020, https://bit.ly/2Bbs3JC.

  79. Isaac Sandoval, “Diputado Nacional recibe libro Esperanza para la Familia” [National Deputy receives book Hope for the Family], Noticias Adventistas [Adventist News], April 17, 2019, accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/32WT3rk.

  80. Adventistas AAS [AAS Adventists], “Informe de Actividades 2020 - Asociación Argentina del Sur” [Activities Report 2020 - South Argentine Conference] (informative video on the activities carried out in the AAS until July 2020, July 5, 2020), accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/2G6LtkZ.

  81. Adventistas AAS [AAS Adventists], “Informe de Actividades 2020 - Asociación Argentina del Sur” [Activities Report 2020 - South Argentine Conference] (informative video on the activities carried out in the AAS until July 5, 2020), accessed on September 24, 2020, https://bit.ly/2G6LtkZ; For more information on the organizational history of the South Argentine Conference, see: Segundo Arturo Leiva, “Bautismo en Zapala” [Baptism in Zapala], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 10, year 87 (September 1987): 10; Hugo D. Posse, “Recorriendo el sur argentino” [Touring southern Argentina], La Revista Adventista [Adventist Review], no. 1, year 91 (January 1991): 13-15; “Inauguración y dedicación de templos” [Inauguration and dedication of temples], En Marcha [Underway], May 1997, 5; “Encuentros regionales para oficiales de iglesia” [Regional Meetings for Church Officers], En Marcha [Underway], December 1999, 1-2; Hugo D. Posse, “Escuelas en Misión” [Schools in Mission], En Marcha [Underway], February 1999, 4; “Distrito de Cipolleti, Río Negro” [Cipolleti District, Rio Negro], En Marcha [Underway], July 2000, 7.

  82. Roberto Gullón (son of Pastor Roberto Gullón), interview conducted by Eugenio Di Dionisio, December 12, 2016. Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “South Argentine Conference,” accessed on September 14, 2020, https://bit.ly/3bTM7xO; “South Argentine Mission,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1986), 266; “South Argentine Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2019), 229. For a more detailed check about all the leaders of the South Argentine Conference, see the Yearbooks from 1986 to 2020.

  83. More information about the South Argentine Conference can be found on the website: http://aas.adventistas.org/ or on social media – Facebook: @adventistasAAS, Instagram: @adventistas.aas, Twitter: @adventistas_aas and YouTube: Adventistas AAS.

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Shapiama, Angel Jesús Torrel, Eugenio Di Dionisio, Silvia C. Scholtus. "South Argentine Conference." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. May 29, 2021. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=7GDJ.

Shapiama, Angel Jesús Torrel, Eugenio Di Dionisio, Silvia C. Scholtus. "South Argentine Conference." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. May 29, 2021. Date of access February 18, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=7GDJ.

Shapiama, Angel Jesús Torrel, Eugenio Di Dionisio, Silvia C. Scholtus (2021, May 29). South Argentine Conference. Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved February 18, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=7GDJ.