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
