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        <title>Christian Daily International | Latin America</title>
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            <title>Christian Daily International | Latin America</title>
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        <copyright>Christian Daily International © 2026</copyright>
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        <lastBuildDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:45:49 -0400</lastBuildDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Argentine evangelical alliance raises concerns after court suspends decree restricting hormone treatments for minors]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/argentine-evangelical-alliance-raises-concerns-after-court-suspends-decree-restricting-hormone-treatments-for-minors</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/argentine-evangelical-alliance-raises-concerns-after-court-suspends-decree-restricting-hormone-treatments-for-minors</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Palace of Justice, seat of the Supreme Court, Buenos Aires]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Wikipedia ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Palace of Justice, seat of the Supreme Court, Buenos Aires ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:01:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA) has expressed concern after an Argentine appeals court temporarily suspended the implementation of Emergency Decree (DNU) 62/2025, which bans hormone treatments for children under 18.]]></description>
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The Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA) has expressed concern after an Argentine appeals court temporarily suspended the implementation of Emergency Decree (DNU) 62/2025, which bans hormone treatments for children under 18.
In a statement released to the media, ACIERA said it respects "the institutions of the Republic and, in particular, the independence of the Judiciary," and therefore would not comment on the legal proceedings themselves. At the same time, it said any decision affecting "the life, health, and physical, psychological and emotional well-being of children and adolescents" deserves careful consideration by both the government and society.
ACIERA said numerous medical experts and scientific publications have warned about the potential risks associated with certain hormone treatments when administered during childhood and adolescence, while physical, emotional and psychological development is still underway.
The evangelical alliance also noted that Argentina has a legal obligation to uphold the best interests of the child, a principle recognized by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was incorporated into Argentine law through Law 23,849 and given constitutional status under Article 75, Section 22 of the National Constitution. It also cited Law 26,061 on the Comprehensive Protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents as part of the country's legal framework for protecting children.
"We believe every public policy decision in this area must unequivocally prioritize the comprehensive protection of children, safeguarding their health, development and fundamental rights, especially when interventions with permanent or difficult-to-reverse effects are involved," the alliance said.
ACIERA also urged that the issue be addressed through Argentina's established legal process and called on Congress to amend the Gender Identity Law to explicitly prohibit "surgical and chemical sex-change procedures for children and adolescents." The organization said such a reform would align Argentina with policies adopted by countries including the United Kingdom, Sweden and Finland.
What DNU 62/2025 does
Emergency Decree (DNU) 62/2025, signed by President Javier Milei and published on Feb. 6, 2025, amended Article 11 of Argentina's Gender Identity Law (Law 26,743) so that only adults 18 and older may receive hormone treatments or undergo surgical procedures intended to align their bodies with their self-identified gender.
The Milei administration said the decree was necessary because of ongoing international scientific debate over the benefits and risks of these procedures for children and argued that stronger safeguards were needed to protect children and adolescents from interventions that could have irreversible effects.
Before the decree took effect, Article 11 of the Gender Identity Law allowed children to access hormone treatments and surgical procedures under the conditions and safeguards established by existing law.
The court's injunction
The injunction was issued after the appeals court granted a request for preliminary relief filed by the Argentine LGBT+ Federation (FALGBT+), which is challenging the constitutionality of the decree.
According to Tiempo Argentino, the court concluded at this preliminary stage that the executive branch had not sufficiently demonstrated the necessity and urgency required to amend a law passed by Congress through an emergency decree. The judges also found that the decree replaced a system of case-by-case evaluation with a blanket ban.
The injunction did not rule on whether the decree is constitutional. Instead, it temporarily blocked enforcement while the courts consider the case.
As a result, the previous version of Article 11 of the Gender Identity Law has been temporarily reinstated until a final ruling is issued. National media outlets, including Noticias Argentinas, also reported on the court's decision.
The organizations challenging the decree argue that it limits rights protected under the Gender Identity Law and contend that such a significant policy change should not have been made through an emergency decree. Those arguments will be considered as the case moves forward.
Similar debates in Europe
In its statement, ACIERA pointed to recent policy changes in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Finland.
In Finland, the Council for Choices in Health Care (PALKO) updated its recommendations in 2020, stating that psychosocial support should be the primary treatment for minors experiencing gender dysphoria, with medical interventions reserved for carefully selected cases.
In Sweden, the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) revised its clinical guidelines in 2022, recommending that puberty blockers and hormone treatments be limited to exceptional cases because of uncertainty about their risks and benefits.
In the United Kingdom, the independent review led by pediatrician Hilary Cass, known as the Cass Review, concluded in 2024 that evidence supporting the routine use of puberty blockers for minors was limited. Following the report, the National Health Service (NHS) revised its policies governing these treatments.
The issue remains the subject of legal, medical and ethical debate in Argentina and abroad. Until Argentina's courts issue a final ruling, the country's previous legal framework governing treatment for children will remain in effect. ACIERA said any future policy should prioritize "the best interests of the child" and protect children's health and development.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Latin Evangelical Alliance president urges churches to embrace greater maturity amid historic growth]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/latin-evangelical-alliance-president-urges-churches-to-embrace-greater-maturity-amid-historic-growth</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/latin-evangelical-alliance-president-urges-churches-to-embrace-greater-maturity-amid-historic-growth</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Evangelical leaders from across Latin America]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Courtesy of AEL ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Evangelical leaders from across Latin America gathered for a pastoral breakfast hosted by the Evangelical Alliance of El Salvador. During the event, Latin Evangelical Alliance (AEL) President Juan Cruz Cellamare called on the Church to respond to the challenges facing the continent with maturity, unity, transparency and a renewed commitment to its mission. ]]>
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                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/50/5035.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Juan Cruz]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by EAL ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Latin Evangelical Alliance (AEL) President Juan Cruz Cellamare speaks during a pastoral breakfast organized by the Evangelical Alliance of El Salvador. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:36:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The president of the Latin Evangelical Alliance (AEL), Juan Cruz Cellamare, spoke at a pastoral breakfast organized by the Evangelical Alliance of El Salvador, where he shared an assessment of the evangelical church across Latin America and encouraged leaders to prepare for a new phase marked by greater responsibility and new challenges.]]></description>
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During his address, Cellamare said the growth of the evangelical movement in Latin America is one of the most significant developments in the recent history of Christianity. However, he warned that such growth also requires a more mature and better-equipped church ready to respond to the challenges ahead.
"What God has done in Latin America over the last century is unprecedented in the history of Christianity, and what He is asking of us today requires maturity, unity and courage," he said.
Cellamare noted that just six or seven decades ago, evangelicals accounted for just over 1% of Latin America's population. Today, he said, they represent more than 20% of the population, and in countries such as Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Catholics now make up less than half of the population. He attributed this growth to the faithful work of thousands of local churches that have evangelized, discipled and served their communities for decades.
He also highlighted Latin America's transformation into a missionary-sending region. The continent has moved from being primarily a mission field to becoming a major sending force, with more than 26,000 Latin American missionaries currently serving around the world. He added that the Global South now represents nearly half of the world's missionary movement.
Beyond the numbers, Cellamare emphasized the social impact of evangelical churches across the region. He pointed to their work during public health emergencies, natural disasters and humanitarian crises, as well as ministries through chaplaincies in hospitals, prisons, the armed forces and educational institutions. He also highlighted rehabilitation programs and initiatives addressing addiction and abuse, saying the contribution of churches is "incalculable" and extends beyond what can be measured statistically.

Cellamare praised the work of evangelical alliances in defending religious freedom and building constructive relationships with government officials. He highlighted the role of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) and the Latin Evangelical Alliance (AEL) in representing the evangelical movement before society and public institutions.
However, he warned that numerical growth should not lead to complacency.
"We cannot simply celebrate the growth. Every movement of God also comes with a call to maturity," he said.
Among the challenges facing the church in the coming years, Cellamare highlighted the need to strengthen evangelism and discipleship, continue sending missionaries, defend religious freedom and maintain a balanced relationship with politics grounded in biblical principles.
He stressed that the church's mission is not to seek political power.
"The church is called to be salt and light, a prophetic voice—not an institution seeking political power for itself."
Cellamare also called for stronger institutional integrity among churches, emphasizing the importance of transparency and warning about the threat posed by organized crime.
"We must be extremely careful that drug trafficking and organized crime do not use churches to launder money. That would directly undermine the church's witness before society," he warned.
The AEL president urged greater unity among evangelical denominations.
"We must continue pursuing unity by focusing on what unites us rather than on our denominational differences."
He also challenged national evangelical alliances to strengthen their organizational capacity, build long-term sustainability, organize prayer breakfasts, promote March for Jesus events and document the historical contribution of evangelical churches in their countries.
Cellamare concluded by encouraging leaders to continue strengthening evangelism, maintaining the unity of the Body of Christ and preparing evangelical alliances to respond to the challenges facing the church in Latin America in the decades ahead.
"May the Lord find us faithful—not only in times of progress but also in times of challenge. May His Church in every nation of our continent continue to be a light that does not go out and salt that does not lose its flavor," he concluded.
Cellamare is currently touring Central America alongside Uruguayan businessman and AEL Vice President Louder Garabedian. The two are visiting several evangelical alliances that belong to the AEL. Recently, they met with the board of the Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance Federation (FAEC) in Costa Rica.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Evangelicals march in Chiapas to call for repeal of gender identity law]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evangelicals-march-in-chiapas-to-call-for-repeal-of-gender-identity-law</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evangelicals-march-in-chiapas-to-call-for-repeal-of-gender-identity-law</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/50/5009.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Chiapas March]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Social media ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Hundreds of Evangelical Christians participated in the Grand Citizens' March for Values and the Family on July 25 in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, to express their opposition to the recent Civil Code reform on gender identity. ]]>
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                                                                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:42:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Hundreds of Evangelical Christians took part Saturday, July 25, in the Grand Citizens' March for Values in the Mexican state of Chiapas. The march wound through the streets of the state capital in opposition to amendments to the state's Civil Code approved by the Chiapas Congress on June 30 that allow adults to change the gender marker on their official documents through an administrative process]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Hundreds of Evangelical Christians took part Saturday, July 25, in the Grand Citizens' March for Values in the Mexican state of Chiapas. The march wound through the streets of the state capital in opposition to amendments to the state's Civil Code approved by the Chiapas Congress on June 30 that allow adults to change the gender marker on their official documents through an administrative process.
The demonstration was organized by Avivando a México A.C. and supported by various Christian organizations, according to local newspaper El Sol de Chiapas.
The march began at Parque 5 de Mayo and ended at Parque Central in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, where organizers presented a public statement and called on Gov. Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar to open a dialogue. State Rep. María Isabel Rodríguez Jiménez of the Morena party, who voted against the reform, also joined the demonstration.
During a news conference before the march, Marco Tulio Carrascosa, president of Avivando a México A.C., said the event was not intended to confront any group in society.
"We are the defenders who are accused of being aggressors. We are not seeking confrontation," he said.
Carrascosa added, "We respect everyone, but when something is imposed, that's when we have to raise our voices."
He emphasized that the invitation was open to all citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, as long as they shared the goal of defending families and protecting children.
Before the march, Rodríguez Jiménez said she would participate "as a mother and as a representative of the people" to support the participating families, according to local media.
In a message shared by REC Media, she also said, "This is not about political parties, nor is it about religion. This is a citizens' march in defense of our values, our families and, above all, the best interests of children."
National media also covered the event. El Universal reported that organizers called for the repeal of the reform and proposed establishing both a Day of the Family and the Protection of Children and a State Day of Prayer for Peace.
Meanwhile, La Jornada reported that demonstrators marched through the main streets of Tuxtla Gutiérrez carrying banners and chanting slogans in defense of the family. The newspaper also reported that organizers plan to continue dialogue with state authorities.
What the reform does
On June 30, the Congress of the State of Chiapas approved amendments to the Civil Code creating an administrative process that allows adults to change their legal name and gender marker on official documents without requiring a medical diagnosis, hormone therapy or surgical procedures.
In its official statement, the Congress said the reform is intended to guarantee the rights to identity, equality, human dignity, privacy, nondiscrimination and the free development of one's personality. It also said the changes bring state law into alignment with constitutional principles and human rights standards.
The march was one of the first major public responses from the Evangelical community following approval of the reform. Organizers said they plan to continue engaging with the state government while promoting initiatives to strengthen families and protect children, as political and public debate over the reform continues across Chiapas.

Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['An AI neither understands nor feels': Christian leader tests chatbot's limits for worried parents]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/an-ai-neither-understands-nor-feels-christian-leader-tests-chatbot-s-limits-for-worried-parents</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/an-ai-neither-understands-nor-feels-christian-leader-tests-chatbot-s-limits-for-worried-parents</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Bolaños]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Sixto Porras, regional director of Focus on the Family, discusses artificial intelligence and its risks for Christian families during a session broadcast on the ministrys YouTube channel.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ YouTube/Enfoque a la Familia ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Sixto Porras, regional director of Focus on the Family, discusses artificial intelligence and its risks for Christian families during a session broadcast on the ministry's YouTube channel. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:29:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Sixto Porras, regional director of Focus on the Family, sat down with ChatGPT to test what artificial intelligence can and cannot do — and to warn evangelical families not to let algorithms replace spiritual discernment, empathy, or genuine human connection.]]></description>
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Sixto Porras, regional director of Focus on the Family, sat down with ChatGPT to test what artificial intelligence can and cannot do — and to warn evangelical families not to let algorithms replace spiritual discernment, empathy, or genuine human connection.
The dialogue, broadcast on the ministry's official YouTube channel, covered AI's technical functioning, its lack of moral judgment, and the risks it poses for vulnerable teenagers.
The nature of artificial intelligence and the lack of moral discernment
Porras began by asking the chatbot how it constructs its responses. The bot acknowledged its own limitations:
"I construct responses based on patterns from data I was trained on; I have no consciousness or intention [...]. I have no authority or moral judgment of my own; I only provide information that may be perceived as useful or not depending on the situation."
For Porras, the admission goes to the heart of the danger: families and young people who mistake statistical outputs for truth.
"An AI neither understands nor feels; it only produces responses from data [...]. Let us be careful that no technological advance substitutes our relationship with God," he said.
The risk of automated responses for vulnerable adolescents
Porras pressed the AI further: could a vulnerable teenager take its responses as authoritative guidance?
"The danger lies in the fact that a vulnerable person might not question what I say; they could take a response generated by patterns as personal or moral guidance when it is not," the chatbot replied. "This could reinforce incorrect ideas not adapted to their situation."
Young people in stages of intellectual and emotional development are especially susceptible, Porras said, making intentional parental guidance essential for filtering the flood of digital information.
Studies warn of a growing trend of users — particularly young people — seeking refuge in virtual characters rather than human community. When it comes to depression or self-harm, an algorithm cannot provide what family and community can.
The chatbot agreed: "Artificial intelligence cannot substitute human social interaction; it lacks genuine empathy, emotional closeness, or real affection [...]. Authentic human relationships are irreplaceable."
Porras drew his own conclusion. "When you find yourself in the midst of a crisis, you and I must seek help from a human being who has empathy, who has closeness, who can identify with our emotions," he said.
He also turned the challenge back on parents themselves.
"If my son speaks to me, I must turn off the phone and look him in the eyes, pay attention. Let my son feel that he is more important than technological or virtual contact," Porras said.
Practical principles for responsible technology use in the home
Focus on the Family proposed several guidelines for families. First, establish clear disconnection limits by defining schedules and screen-free spaces, especially during meals or family time. Parents should also foster critical thinking, teaching teenagers to question information found online and not to accept automated responses as absolute truths.
Cultivating the relationship with God — through Bible reading, prayer, and church — should take priority over digital searches and consultations. Finally, families facing complex crises should seek professional and pastoral help from trained counselors rather than entrusting emotional well-being to a virtual environment.
Return to the real world and prioritize faith
Porras closed with the testimony of a family that removed their children's mobile devices to begin a digital detox. The children rediscovered wonder in creation and daily life.
"The child said: 'Mom, I like the real world better; I'm listening to the birds singing... the sky is truly blue.' In that moment the whole family was moved because they realized that, without noticing, we can begin to live in a virtual world," Porras recounted.
He urged churches and evangelical homes not to let technology become an idol or a substitute for communion with God and neighbor.
"It is interesting, but nothing substitutes my relationship with God, and this is crucial: spiritual discernment comes from God. Teach your children to have spiritual discernment; teach your children to seek in the Bible," Porras said.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Guatemala's top court unanimously rejects same-sex marriage challenge]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/guatemala-s-top-court-unanimously-rejects-same-sex-marriage-challenge</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/guatemala-s-top-court-unanimously-rejects-same-sex-marriage-challenge</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Diario Cristiano]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Guatemalas Constitutional Court building in Guatemala City, where the Lambda Association filed a challenge to the Civil Codes definition of marriage.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Prensa Latina ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Guatemala's Constitutional Court building in Guatemala City, where the Lambda Association filed a challenge to the Civil Code's definition of marriage. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:40:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Guatemala's Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a provisional challenge to the country's legal definition of marriage, blocking an effort by LGBTIQ+ rights group Lambda Association to open same-sex unions to legal recognition.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Guatemala's Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a provisional challenge to the country's legal definition of marriage, blocking an effort by LGBTIQ+ rights group Lambda Association to open same-sex unions to legal recognition.
The court declined to grant a provisional injunction against Article 78 of the Civil Code, which defines marriage as a social institution in which "a man and a woman agree to unite with the purpose of living together, procreating, feeding and educating their children, and assisting each other."
Lambda argued the provision violates constitutional principles of equality, liberty and human dignity. The court's unanimous rejection of the provisional measure signals the likely direction of its final ruling.
Under current law, same-sex couples in Guatemala cannot receive joint medical coverage through the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, access widowhood pensions, or claim legal protections over shared property and inheritance.
Lambda representatives said the decision perpetuates "structural discrimination" that prevents thousands of Guatemalans from formalizing their relationships before the law.
Conservative and traditional-family advocates welcomed the ruling as an affirmation of the Constitution's historical interpretation of marriage as a heterosexual institution.
The decision places Guatemala at odds with a broader Latin American trend toward same-sex marriage legalization or civil union recognition with full rights.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Dominican president credits prayer for strength to govern]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/dominican-president-credits-prayer-for-strength-to-govern</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/dominican-president-credits-prayer-for-strength-to-govern</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader speaks at the inauguration of the International Ministry Monte de Dios Horeb church in Santo Domingo Norte, where he said daily prayer sustains his work in office.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Presidency of the Dominican Republic / Archive ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader speaks at the inauguration of the International Ministry Monte de Dios Horeb church in Santo Domingo Norte, where he said daily prayer sustains his work in office. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:39:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has publicly credited prayer and his relationship with God as the source of strength behind his work in office.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has publicly credited prayer and his relationship with God as the source of strength behind his work in office.
"The only way to endure is alongside God," Abinader said during the inauguration of the new International Ministry Monte de Dios Horeb church in Santo Domingo Norte. The event brought together national authorities, Christian leaders, and hundreds of congregants to celebrate the opening of one of the largest evangelical facilities in the Caribbean.
Pastor Miguel Bogaert asked the president how he bears the pressure of governing a country. Abinader replied that he begins each morning with prayer and prays again before sleeping. "I ask God to grant me wisdom to make the best decisions," he said, according to El Caribe.
Days earlier, at a thanksgiving Mass at the National Palace marking his 59th birthday, Abinader had thanked God for another year of life and spoke about the role of prayer in his personal and family life, Diario Libre reported.
A Major Milestone for Dominican Evangelicals
The new sanctuary seats more than 7,000 people, sits on roughly 45,000 square meters of land, and features a main auditorium of nearly 16,000 square meters. The project took more than a decade to complete and represents one of the largest infrastructure investments by an evangelical church in the country.
Led by pastors Miguel and Montserrat Bogaert, the ministry expressed gratitude for the professionals, volunteers, and congregation members who took part in construction, El Caribe noted.
First Lady Raquel Arbaje attended alongside mayors Carolina Mejía and Betty Gerónimo, government ministers, legislators, representatives of various churches, and Honduran pastor Guillermo Maldonado, a special guest.
Abinader has spoken openly about his Christian convictions throughout his administration, participating in events organized by churches and evangelical organizations and at national religious ceremonies. His remarks at Saturday's inauguration, offered spontaneously in response to Bogaert's question, stood out as one of the event's most personal moments.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['God will always be at your side': Evangelical chaplain addresses Buenos Aires police graduates]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/god-will-always-be-at-your-side-evangelical-chaplain-addresses-buenos-aires-police-graduates</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/god-will-always-be-at-your-side-evangelical-chaplain-addresses-buenos-aires-police-graduates</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Pastor Osvaldo Carnival, the Buenos Aires City Polices first Evangelical Chief Chaplain, addresses 1,022 graduating officers during the forces commissioning ceremony.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Buenos Aires Public Security Institute (ISSP) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Pastor Osvaldo Carnival, the Buenos Aires City Police's first Evangelical Chief Chaplain, addresses 1,022 graduating officers during the force's commissioning ceremony. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:59:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Buenos Aires City Police graduated 1,022 new officers at a ceremony featuring an address from Pastor Osvaldo Carnival, Argentina's first Evangelical Police Chief Chaplain, who urged the new officers to serve with integrity, protect their families and trust in God.]]></description>
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The Buenos Aires City Police graduated 1,022 new officers at a ceremony featuring an address from Pastor Osvaldo Carnival, Argentina's first Evangelical Police Chief Chaplain, who urged the new officers to serve with integrity, protect their families and trust in God.
The event was held at the Mary Terán de Weiss stadium and was attended by City Chief of Government Jorge Macri and officials from the Ministry of Security. With the new class, the force surpassed 28,000 active members, according to the Buenos Aires City Government.
Carnival's address came two years after the official creation of the Evangelical Police Chief Chaplaincy, established to provide spiritual accompaniment to force members and their families.
Addressing the graduates, the pastor reminded them that the uniform carries great responsibility but that their identity and values must remain firm.
"People will see your uniform, your badge, your weapon — but know that God will continue to see that boy, that girl, who came with so many dreams," he said.
He urged them to live with consistency. "Take care, first of all, of your integrity — be the same person everywhere; take care of your family, so that in protecting the city you never neglect your family; and finally, take care of your heart," Carnival said.
He also encouraged the officers to trust in God throughout their service. "In whatever post you are assigned, wherever you may be, God will always be at your side to accompany you. You will be able to pray to Him. He will hear you, He will help you, and He will always be at your side," he told them with emotion.
The Evangelical Police Chief Chaplaincy Section was created through Resolution 675/2024 of the city's Ministry of Security, published in the Official Gazette of the City of Buenos Aires. The regulation formally incorporated spiritual accompaniment into the police structure and established that the Chief Chaplain be proposed by the Pastors' Council of the City of Buenos Aires. The chaplaincy may also offer assistance to City Fire Department personnel and accompany officers' families.
Carnival said that in his meetings with cadets he sought to remind them that "behind every uniform there is a person, a family, and a vocation of service." He noted that many recruits faced moments of uncertainty during training and that several found in faith a source of support.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Chile's government launched an inter-ministerial effort to regularize the legal status of churches]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/chile-s-government-launched-an-inter-ministerial-effort-to-regularize-the-legal-status-of-churches</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/chile-s-government-launched-an-inter-ministerial-effort-to-regularize-the-legal-status-of-churches</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[View of the facade of the Lutheran Congregation Church La Reconciliación in Santiago, Chile.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ José Ignacio Gallardo - CC BY-SA 4.0 ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ View of the facade of the Lutheran Congregation Church La Reconciliación in Santiago, Chile. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:19:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The government of Chile has launched a coordination effort across multiple ministries to advance the legal regularization of churches located on state-owned and privately owned land — a situation affecting numerous evangelical congregations that, in some cases, has remained unresolved for decades.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The government of Chile has launched a coordination effort across multiple ministries to advance the legal regularization of churches located on state-owned and privately owned land — a situation affecting numerous evangelical congregations that, in some cases, has remained unresolved for decades.
The initiative was addressed at a meeting led by Minister of National Assets Catalina Parot, together with the Director of the National Office of Religious Affairs (ONAR), Christian Jara, representatives of various evangelical churches, and members of Congress Benjamín Lorca and Macarena Santelices.
During the meeting, the authorities heard the concerns of Christian leaders and reviewed different alternatives for resolving the situation of churches operating on state-owned or privately owned land. Among the options examined were free-use concessions, property transfers, and title deed regularization processes, depending on the legal circumstances of each case.
In statements to Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition, Congressman Benjamín Lorca explained that the meeting is part of a broader coordination effort driven by the government.
"There is a willingness on the part of the government to support the work of faith communities and evangelical churches, because there is recognition of the important role they play from a spiritual perspective, but also a social and cultural one," he stated.
According to the congressman, the effort does not involve only the Ministry of National Assets. Also participating are the General Secretariat of the Presidency — through the National Office of Religious Affairs — as well as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and the Ministry of Finance.
"This meeting is part of a series of inter-ministerial coordination meetings. The idea is to provide answers, streamline processes, and create all the necessary channels so that churches and faith communities can carry out their work with greater legal certainty and with the facilities needed to continue serving their communities," he said.
Lorca indicated that the government has begun a national survey to determine how many churches require a legal resolution.
"There is no clear number yet, because a national survey is currently being conducted. But it could be hundreds of churches that might benefit, considering the various legal situations that exist," he explained.
The congressman added that one of the main objectives is to recognize and strengthen the contribution that churches make throughout the country.
"The important thing is to emphasize that there is a willingness to move forward, to support, and to recognize the comprehensive work carried out by faith communities and evangelical churches in Chile," he stated.
Diario Cristiano attempted to obtain a response from representatives of the Expanded Table of Evangelical Entities of Chile (Mesa Ampliada de Entidades Evangélicas de Chile). However, at press time it was not possible to obtain a reply.
Different Cases
During the meeting, the authorities and church representatives reviewed different situations affecting congregations throughout the country.
There are churches built on state-owned land granted under loan-for-use agreements (comodato), others located in properties administered by various public agencies, and also churches that need to regularize title deeds on privately owned properties.
For this reason, the Ministry explained that each case will be evaluated individually and may be resolved through free-use concessions, transfers, or regularization processes, as appropriate.
The Ministry of National Assets currently records 304 free-use concessions granted to various churches across the country — a mechanism by which religious organizations can use state-owned properties to carry out their activities without the state losing ownership of those assets.
A Recognized Contribution
During the meeting, representatives of various denominations expressed appreciation for the government's willingness to advance on a matter affecting numerous congregations.
Bishop Israel Aravena Reyes of the Pentecostal Church of Chile (IPECHI) noted that his denomination has approximately 500 churches in the country and that between 20 and 30 currently operate under a loan-for-use arrangement, expressing his expectation of moving toward a definitive solution.
For her part, Minister Catalina Parot stated that the purpose of this effort is to provide greater legal certainty to institutions that, in addition to carrying out religious activities, fulfill an important social role in their communities.
Although the first meeting was held with representatives of evangelical churches, the Ministry indicated that the regularization process will be carried out in coordination with the National Office of Religious Affairs and will seek to address the various situations presented by religious entities in accordance with the current legal framework.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Faith leaders, Peru's Ministry of Justice meet but reach no commitments ahead of government transition]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/faith-leaders-peru-s-ministry-of-justice-meet-but-reach-no-commitments-ahead-of-government-transition</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/faith-leaders-peru-s-ministry-of-justice-meet-but-reach-no-commitments-ahead-of-government-transition</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Representatives of various religious confessions attended a meeting convened by the Directorate of Interconfessional Affairs of Perus Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. CONEP was represented by its president, Pastor Enrique Alva, and Board of Director]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ CONEP ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Representatives of various religious confessions attended a meeting convened by the Directorate of Interconfessional Affairs of Peru's Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. CONEP was represented by its president, Pastor Enrique Alva, and Board of Directors secretary Pastor Tomás Gutiérrez. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:01:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A government-convened meeting between Peru's Ministry of Justice and representatives of the country's religious confessions produced no concrete agreements, the president of the National Evangelical Council of Peru (CONEP) said, with a new government set to take office later this month.]]></description>
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A government-convened meeting between Peru's Ministry of Justice and representatives of the country's religious confessions produced no concrete agreements, the president of the National Evangelical Council of Peru (CONEP) said, with a new government set to take office later this month.
The meeting, organized by the Ministry's Directorate of Interconfessional Affairs, brought together representatives from various religious confessions, including CONEP president Pastor Enrique Alva Callupe and CONEP Board of Directors secretary Pastor Tomás Gutiérrez. The session addressed religious freedom, the actions of the Ministry and the Registry of Religious Entities, the progress of the Interreligious Council of Peru, and a proposal for crime prevention among at-risk adolescents.
In statements to Diario Cristiano Internacional, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition, Alva Callupe said the meeting was primarily a response to an institutional convocation and that the Ministry again presented its project aimed at at-risk adolescents — an initiative it had already presented previously.
"Frankly, it was a second protocol meeting, more than anything to fulfill some program or activity of theirs," he said.
He attributed the lack of commitments to the current administration's imminent departure.
"There were no agreements, partly because those in charge of the ministry are on their way out. On July 28th the new government takes office and they have already begun working on the transition," he said.
Alva said the future of the relationship between the State and religious confessions will depend on the policies adopted by the new Ministry of Justice leadership, and in particular by the incoming Directorate of Interconfessional Affairs.
"We will have to see what policies the new minister, the new ministry, and the new Directorate of Interconfessional Affairs will work on with respect to non-Catholic confessions," he said.
The Directorate of Interconfessional Affairs is the Ministry of Justice body responsible for promoting dialogue between the State and the various religious confessions, administering the Registry of Religious Entities, and overseeing application of the Religious Freedom Law.
Although CONEP shared news of the meeting on its social media channels as an official convocation, Alva said the gathering was primarily informational and did not result in any commitments between the parties.
"It was more of a meeting to chat and have a glass of water than to reach concrete agreements or commitments between religious confessions and the Ministry of Justice," he said.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Colombian senate honors president of evangelical association CEDECOL for career of service]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/colombian-senate-honors-president-of-evangelical-association-cedecol-for-career-of-service</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/colombian-senate-honors-president-of-evangelical-association-cedecol-for-career-of-service</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Pastor Lyda Elena Arias de García, president of CEDECOL, receives the Order for Women and Democracy Policarpa Salavarrieta at a July 3 ceremony in the Colombian Senate.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ CEDECOL ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Pastor Lyda Elena Arias de García, president of CEDECOL, receives the Order for Women and Democracy "Policarpa Salavarrieta" at a July 3 ceremony in the Colombian Senate. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:13:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Pastor Lyda Elena Arias de García, president of the Evangelical Confederation of Colombia (CEDECOL), received a congressional honor for women July 3 when the Senate awarded her the Order for Women and Democracy "Policarpa Salavarrieta."]]></description>
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Pastor Lyda Elena Arias de García, president of the Evangelical Confederation of Colombia (CEDECOL), received a congressional honor for women July 3 when the Senate awarded her the Order for Women and Democracy "Policarpa Salavarrieta."
The decoration was conferred through Honor Resolution No. 026 of 2026, at the initiative of Senator Lorena Ríos Cuéllar and the Legal Commission for Women's Equity (CLEM — Comisión Legal para la Equidad de la Mujer), which recognized Arias for her career of service, leadership and social commitment. The ceremony took place at Senate headquarters.
CEDECOL shared official images of the event and expressed gratitude for the recognition.
"We celebrate this important moment with deep gratitude to God and thank all the people who have been part of this journey of service, faith, and commitment to our nation," the organization stated on social media.
The Order for Women and Democracy "Policarpa Salavarrieta" is a congressional distinction honoring women who have made significant contributions to Colombia in public life. It bears the name of Policarpa Salavarrieta, a heroine of Colombian independence and a symbol of female leadership in the country's history.
Arias credited the senator who initiated the recognition and those who accompanied her throughout her career.
"I express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Lorena Ríos, who took the initiative to grant this recognition through the Legal Commission for Women's Equity (CLEM) of the Congress of the Republic," Arias posted on social media.
"My gratitude also goes to my family, to CEDECOL, to those who have walked alongside me during these years, and to each person who has been part of this purpose. This recognition renews my commitment to continue serving with love, integrity, and dedication to God, to the Church, and to our nation," she added.
CEDECOL said the distinction reflects a career marked by service, faith and commitment to Colombia, as well as an acknowledgment of evangelical leadership's contribution across various areas of society.
Arias has a 27-year ministry career. She is the senior pastor of the Christian Church Castillo de Oración y Milagros (Castle of Prayer and Miracles) and previously served as president of the Association of Gospel Ministers in Bolívar (AMEB — Asociación de Ministros del Evangelio en Bolívar) for nine years. She served as president of CEDECOL's Caribbean Coast affiliate, Fecaribe, for the 2022–2024 term and as secretary of CEDECOL's national board for the 2020–2024 term. She has served as CEDECOL president since 2024 and is elected through 2028.
CEDECOL is one of the principal representative bodies of the Colombian evangelical movement, bringing together churches, denominations, councils and Christian organizations throughout the country. In recent years it has participated in statements on religious freedom, education, civic participation and other matters of public interest, and has developed social service initiatives in support of affiliated churches.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Guatemala's evangelical leaders reject attempt to redefine marriage]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/guatemala-s-evangelical-leaders-reject-attempt-to-redefine-marriage</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/guatemala-s-evangelical-leaders-reject-attempt-to-redefine-marriage</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Bolaños]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[The Constitutional Court building in Guatemala City]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Prensa Latina ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The Constitutional Court building in Guatemala City, where civil society organizations filed a legal challenge seeking to overturn the country's legal definition of marriage. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:40:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Members of Guatemala's LGBTQ+ community have filed a petition with the country's Constitutional Court seeking to strike down a provision of the Civil Code that defines marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman, opening a new chapter in the country's debate over same-sex marriage.]]></description>
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Members of Guatemala's LGBTQ+ community have filed a petition with the country's Constitutional Court seeking to strike down a provision of the Civil Code that defines marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman, opening a new chapter in the country's debate over same-sex marriage.
Backed by several advocacy organizations, the legal challenge seeks to invalidate Article 78 of the Civil Code, which defines marriage as a legal union exclusively between one man and one woman.
The petitioners argue that limiting marriage to heterosexual couples is discriminatory.
The Lambda Association, one of the organizations supporting the challenge, argued before the Constitutional Court that the current law discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation by denying same-sex couples access to marriage. According to the Associated Press, the group contends that the provision is unconstitutional because it excludes same-sex couples from marrying.
The challenge follows similar legal efforts elsewhere in Latin America seeking recognition of same-sex marriage through the courts.
In 2022, the administration of then-President Alejandro Giammattei declared Guatemala City the "Pro-Life Capital of Ibero-America." During the same period, the ruling party, which then held a majority in Congress, approved legislation increasing penalties for abortion and reaffirming the country's ban on same-sex marriage.
Guatemalan Evangelical Organizations Respond
In response to the legal challenge, the Evangelical Commission of Guatemala (COEGUA) and the Evangelical Forum of Guatemala (FE502) published an open letter outlining their theological and pastoral position.
The evangelical organizations said they reject all forms of hatred and discrimination because every person is created in the image of God, but argued that this commitment does not require abandoning biblical principles. The letter states, "We believe that love for people should never lead us to renounce the truth revealed in the Holy Scriptures."
The document further argues that the state did not create marriage but simply recognizes and protects it. Citing the Book of Genesis and the teachings of Jesus Christ, the letter says, "Marriage was not established by human decision; it is an institution ordained by God for the well-being of the family and society."
Defending the Constitutional Order
The statement also refers to Guatemala's legal framework. COEGUA and FE502 argue that Article 78 of the Civil Code implements Article 47 of the Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala, which directs the state to promote the organization of the family on the legal foundation of marriage.
According to the letter, "To defend this provision is to defend respect for the Constitution, legal certainty, and the rule of law." The evangelical organizations argue that redefining marriage through a constitutional ruling rather than legislative action would undermine the country's legal and institutional framework.
The Constitutional Court has not announced when it will consider the petition.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Global evangelical leaders call churches to mark Creation Sunday on Sept. 6]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/global-evangelical-leaders-call-churches-to-mark-creation-sunday-on-sept-6</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/global-evangelical-leaders-call-churches-to-mark-creation-sunday-on-sept-6</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rev. Joseph Tia Sugri reads Scripture to members of Nanyeeri Baptist Church during a baptismal service at a river in northeastern Ghana. African theologians say creation is already woven into African Christian spirituality — not reserved for a special day]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ IMB ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Rev. Joseph Tia Sugri reads Scripture to members of Nanyeeri Baptist Church during a baptismal service at a river in northeastern Ghana. African theologians say creation is already woven into African Christian spirituality — not reserved for a special day but embedded in everyday worship. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Leaders from the World Evangelical Alliance, Baptist World Alliance, and the Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network joined representatives of several other global Christian bodies Wednesday in a joint webinar calling churches worldwide to observe Creation Sunday on Sept. 6 — calling creation care an act of worship and discipleship, not a political cause.]]></description>
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Leaders from the World Evangelical Alliance, Baptist World Alliance, and the Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network joined representatives of several other global Christian bodies Wednesday in a joint webinar calling churches worldwide to observe Creation Sunday on Sept. 6 — calling creation care an act of worship and discipleship, not a political cause.
The hour-long online event, held July 8, was co-organized by seven global Christian bodies and moderated by Latin American evangelical theologian Ruth Padilla DeBorst of the Latin American Theological Fellowship. It drew church leaders and pastors ahead of the annual celebration, which falls on the first Sunday of September.
"Caring for creation is not about politics," said Rev. Elijah Brown, CEO and General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, which represents 53 million baptized believers in 138 countries. "It is about worship, stewardship and loving our neighbors, especially those who are most vulnerable to environmental degradation and natural disasters."
Brown called the observance "an opportunity for your church to celebrate our creator God, give thanks for the beauty of the world God has made and recommit ourselves to faithful care and stewardship."
Rev. Botrus Mansour, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance, grounded his endorsement in biblical theology and hope in Jesus Christ. "In a broken world that is kept captive between greed and fear, losing any perspective of hope, we as those who confess Jesus of Nazareth as our living hope should unite in serving our fellowmen in a relevant way," he said.
Mansour named environmental fear as one of the defining anxieties of the age. "One of the biggest fears for those who have no hope beyond the grave is that our planet is going down the drain," he said — and argued that Christians, far from standing apart from that concern, share it on deeper grounds. "Creation is nothing secondary. The natural is not unspiritual. Nothing is made without Christ" — citing John 1:3 and Colossians 1:20.
He argued that Christians who confess Jesus as Lord have particular reason, not less reason, to engage with creation. "As those who praise God for salvation and an eternal future in Christ, we honor the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — not only by praising him for creation, but also by taking good care of his handiwork, not because we have no other hope, but because we do. It is an act of good discipleship and of fine stewardship."
The WEA leader framed the observance as a form of witness to a fearful world. "Those that confess Jesus as Lord should unite in taking care of God's creation, both to honor the creator and to show Christ's relevance in one more practical way, touching on the core of society's worst fears — showing that we also care for what is society's huge care, but with hope from the perspective of love."
"We therefore endorse the celebration of Creation Sunday as an expression of faith and as an expression of love, strengthened to do so by the authority of what scripture tells us to do," he said.
A theological foundation
Rev. Dave Bookless, an evangelical theologian who co-leads the global Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network and serves as head of theology for A Rocha International, presented a new paper titled "Creation Sunday: An Introduction," produced by a working group of theologians from the convening bodies.
Bookless outlined six theological reasons for free churches — evangelical, Pentecostal and other non-liturgical traditions — to mark the day, beginning with Christology. "Creation Sunday helps us proclaim that Jesus is lord of all," he said, citing Jesus' role as preexistent creator in John 1, the cosmic reconciliation described in Colossians 1 and Christ's enthronement over all creation in Ephesians 1 and Philippians 2.
He described the gospel itself as inseparable from creation. Drawing on Romans 8, he noted Paul's declaration that "creation will be liberated from its bondage to decay." And he pointed to Romans 1 as evidence that creation plays an evangelistic role. "Creation displays God's eternal power and divine nature," Bookless said. "I often say creation is God's first evangelist."
The day also carries significance for discipleship and mission, Bookless argued. He cited Genesis 2's command to "work and take care of the garden" as a mandate that "has never been taken away," and linked creation care to the call in Matthew 25 to serve the most vulnerable.
He also drew a line from Creation Sunday back to Israel's liturgical calendar. "In the Old Testament, God's people celebrated festivals that often linked God's actions in history and God's actions in creation," Bookless said. Observances such as First Fruits and the Feast of Weeks were harvest-based, land-rooted celebrations. "We need to recover that tradition of celebrating God's provision and goodness in creation," he said.
Bookless spoke from personal experience about the spiritual dimension of engaging with creation. "The more I have learned about caring for creation, the more time I spend worshiping God in creation outdoors, the closer I find I get to Jesus," he said. He also noted that creation care "helps our faith become a seven-day-a-week rather than a Sunday morning thing."
African perspectives
Emmanuel Awudi, a theologian from Ghana representing the Pentecostal World Fellowship in the working group, opened with a historical observation. When the World Missionary Conference gathered in Edinburgh in 1910, he said, virtually no one anticipated the rise of a vibrant church in Africa. A century later, scholars widely acknowledge that the center of Christian vitality has shifted to the global south — and Awudi argued that shift carries direct implications for how the whole church thinks about creation.
"The wider church has much to learn from African Christians," he said. He pointed to indigenous African churches that have developed oral theologies enabling communities to conserve wetlands and ecosystems for centuries. He also drew on African hymnody, noting that African Christians sing of the mystery and wonder of God's creation in ways that echo the creation Psalms.
Among the Akan people of Ghana, he cited a traditional saying: "No one needs to teach a child the concept of God" — meaning the awareness of God as creator is understood to be innate, and the natural world is the first teacher. "The environment teaches believers a religious language," Awudi said. "The sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the lakes, the seas and the rivers, the thunder and the lightning, forests, plants and animals can all speak to human beings about the beyond."
For this reason, Awudi said, the feast of creation is not an import to Africa but a recognition of something already present. "The celebration of God's creation is already embedded in our spirituality and in our daily lives," he said.
That embeddedness, however, makes the formal observance no less relevant. Africa has suffered severe climate impacts, Awudi noted, and a named, celebrated feast can help channel African Christian creation theology into concrete care. He drew on Africa's long history of responding to environmental crisis — including, he said, the strategies employed by pharaohs during ancient famines — and expressed hope that "Africa can once again become the breadbasket of the world as it recovers the theology of creation."
Awudi identified three things the feast teaches: that creation belongs to God, not humanity; that human dominion is a delegated responsibility meant to mirror God's "compassion, love, mercy, and justice"; and that creation is not a resource pool to be exploited. "Every part of creation exists to fulfill God's purposes," he said. "It is not to be reduced to raw material or a commodity to be bought and sold on the market, but to be celebrated as God's creation."
He closed by urging that "the celebration of the feast of creation should not become an annual event but a way of life."
Creation Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday of September each year. More information is available at creation-sunday.com.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['Mi Copa' (My Cup): Funky's new song carries a message of hope beyond the World Cup]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/mi-copa-my-cup-funky-s-new-song-carries-a-message-of-hope-beyond-the-world-cup</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/mi-copa-my-cup-funky-s-new-song-carries-a-message-of-hope-beyond-the-world-cup</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/48/4881.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Funky presents Mi Copa, a song inspired by the World Cup atmosphere that uses soccer as a metaphor for a message of hope, grace and victory in Christ.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Funky presents "Mi Copa," a song inspired by the World Cup atmosphere that uses soccer as a metaphor for a message of hope, grace and victory in Christ. ]]>
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                                                                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:01:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and producer Funky has released "Mi Copa" (My Cup), a song that draws on the World Cup mood to share a gospel message of hope. Inspired by Psalm 23:5 — "My cup runneth over" — it asks listeners to look past sporting victories to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and producer Funky has released "Mi Copa" (My Cup), a song that draws on the World Cup mood to share a gospel message of hope. Inspired by Psalm 23:5 — "My cup runneth over" — it asks listeners to look past sporting victories to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
The song arrives amid heavy World Cup attention, but Funky first held it back out of respect for victims of the earthquakes that struck Venezuela.
"Yesterday I decided to postpone this post out of respect and solidarity with my brothers and sisters in Venezuela. Today I share it with the prayer that this song reminds us all that our hope does not depend on circumstances," he wrote on Instagram.
The song's message
That line captures the song's purpose: to affirm that hope holds firm even amid pain and hardship.
Funky draws a contrast between the cups, or trophies, raised for wins on the field and the "cup" he says believers receive through the work of Christ on the cross.
"Since we're in World Cup mode, that reminds me that there are cups (trophies) that are raised for what's done on the field. But there is a cup that we receive for what Christ did on the cross," he said.
That cup, he added, "does not represent a temporary victory, but a life full of His grace, His peace, and His provision," and offers "a joy that remains even when the scoreboard is not in our favor."
"We don't celebrate because everything always turns out well. We celebrate because, at every moment, even amid pain, God remains faithful," he said.
The music video
The music video for "Mi Copa" was made by Luis Marrero Jr., a content creator who specializes in artificial intelligence and audiovisual storytelling. It pairs the song with visuals drawn from sports and the Christian message.
The song is available on major digital platforms and is part of the latest phase of Funky's musical ministry.
Luis Raúl Marrero, known artistically as Funky, is one of the leading figures in Spanish-language Christian urban music. With more than two decades of experience and two Latin Grammy nominations, he has built a career combining hip-hop and reggaeton with a message of faith.
In recent years he released "Rewind," featuring new versions of some of his best-known songs with guest artists such as René González, Alex Zurdo and Alex Campos. He later released the album "Paréntesis," a more personal work with collaborations from JayKalyl, Mr. Yeison, DJ Fleiva, Lilo, Vaes, Fer Ariza and Gabriel EMC.
He then embarked on the Tour Paréntesis, performing in Latin America and the United States.
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                <title><![CDATA[Pastor and congressman leads fight against crime in Costa Rica's Congress]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/pastor-and-congressman-leads-fight-against-crime-in-costa-rica-s-congress</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/pastor-and-congressman-leads-fight-against-crime-in-costa-rica-s-congress</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Bolaños]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/48/4879.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Gonzalo Ramírez, a lawmaker for the governing Partido Pueblo Soberano and the new president of the Commission on Security and Drug Trafficking, stands in the plenary chamber of Costa Ricas Legislative Assembly.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Gonzalo Ramírez Zamora / Facebook ]]>
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                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Gonzalo Ramírez, a lawmaker for the governing Partido Pueblo Soberano and the new president of the Commission on Security and Drug Trafficking, stands in the plenary chamber of Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly. He takes on the responsibility of leading urgent legislative reforms to combat the insecurity and organized crime affecting the country. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:34:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Costa Rican legislator Gonzalo Ramírez, an evangelical Christian and lawyer, is leading the congressional Commission on Security and Drug Trafficking as the country confronts a rising wave of violence.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Costa Rican legislator Gonzalo Ramírez, an evangelical Christian and lawyer, is leading the congressional Commission on Security and Drug Trafficking as the country confronts a rising wave of violence.
In a recent interview with the news outlet La Teja, Ramírez said his Christian principles guide each of his decisions in public office. His appointment places an evangelical lawmaker at the head of Congress's main effort to respond to transnational organized crime.
National security crisis
Ramírez's chief priority is to speed up the security bills submitted by the executive branch. The pro-government legislator said delaying those measures on constitutional grounds does not meet the urgency the public demands as organized crime advances.
He said the nature of crime has changed sharply, turning the region into a logistical bridge for drugs.
"Crime changed, and we have to adapt our penal and judicial system, as well as our regulations, to the crime," he said, pointing to the need to update the country's laws.
The situation calls for deep reforms in both preventive policing and the decisions of the attorney general's office and judges, he said. On the justice system's long-standing weaknesses, Ramírez added: "We must begin to take advantage of these opportunities we have to update a criminal proceeding, a judicial system."
Christian integrity in public office
Christians in public office often face criticism from secular sectors. Asked about combining his spiritual convictions with his work as a lawmaker, Ramírez defended the consistency he said the gospel requires.
"I cannot be a person who goes to church on Sundays and, from Monday to Friday, is some other person; my principles and my values are inherent to everything I do," he said.
Ramírez does not currently serve as an active pastor of a local congregation. He said his theological training and his family commitment sustain his work, which aims to provide prompt justice and restore peace in Costa Rican homes.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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