The Latin Evangelical Alliance (AEL) held its fifth International Congress, “Women in Victory,” organized by the AEL Women’s Commission and coordinated by Dr. Fátima Oliva. The event took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from March 10 to 14, with delegations from 12 Latin American countries.
The gathering was attended by Pastor Juan Cruz Cellammare, president of AEL, and Pastor Christian Hooft, president of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA), which hosted the event through its women’s delegation.
During the congress, several plenary sessions were led by Christian leaders and professionals. Participants included Pastor Stacie Nicole Simmons, a delegate of the Women’s Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), as well as Magda Ramírez, Esmeralda Moreno, Maira Ramírez and Ligia Wurfel. Speakers also included Carmen de Castro and Gloria Hernández, Dr. Naydu Villamarín and Professor Teresa de Montero.
The program also included special participation from Marta Hotton, a member of the WEA International Council and AEL’s representative to the organization, along with Pastor Christian Hooft, Dr. Fátima Oliva and Pastor Juan Cruz Cellammare.
Government recognition
One of the highlights of the congress came when the Government of the City of Buenos Aires declared the AEL Women’s Congress 2026 an event of interest. The recognition was presented by the city’s Minister of Human Development and Habitat, Gabriel Sebastián Mraida, who highlighted the event’s contribution to strengthening the role of women in faith communities and supporting families.
During one of the sessions, the traditional parade of flags was also held. Each delegation presented its national flag along with traditional clothing and cultural expressions.
The event reflected the diversity of the nations represented and a sense of unity among participants.
On social media, organizers highlighted the theme “Women in Victory,” along with the message that “God has chosen us for this time, as witnesses of transformation and the fire of revival moving in Argentina and across Latin America.”
Three books were presented by their authors.
The first was Lali: My Story of How I Chose to Smile, a personal testimony by Pastor Lali Gomez, founder of a network of homes for mothers and children in vulnerable situations called “Elegí Sonreír” (“I Chose to Smile”) and a member of the pastoral team at Iglesia de la Cruz with her husband.
The second was Marks of Love, written by Pastor and psychologist Mirtha Chiniec, who pastors the church Conexión con Dios in the city of Lanús, Buenos Aires Province, with her husband.
The third was After the Storm, by Pastor Zulma Antúnez, who shares how to find healing and mental peace through her story and what God taught her while living with a diagnosis of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Zulma pastors Casa de Dios church in Luis Guillón, Buenos Aires Province, with her husband.
The event also included a gala night held at a restaurant in Puerto Madero, one of the city’s best-known tourist areas. Participants shared a special dinner accompanied by music performed by a string quartet.
The congress featured a comprehensive program prepared by the women’s team of the Christian Women’s Council of ACIERA, who, according to local coordinator Ligia Wurfel, worked hard to ensure that every pastor or leader arriving from another country received a warm welcome.
According to testimonies shared on social media, the congress provided a space for fellowship, community and biblical teaching. Participants highlighted the opportunity to strengthen unity among Christian women from different countries and expand the work of the Latin Evangelical Alliance in the Spanish-speaking world.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
