Ministry Focus
Marcelo is a church planter and pastors Tiempo de Dios Church in Merlo, San Luis, Argentina for 19 years, a congregation he started with his family in 2005. The Lord has been immensely good and generous, prospering the congregation and blessing it in many ways. The church began through home groups and those groups are now scattered throughout the city. The church now has several ministries, including children’s Bible school, youth ministry, men and women’s ministries, marriage ministry and prayer and worship ministry. The church is also developing ministry to help those struggling with addiction and plans to begin offering daycare for young children to help working single mothers.
Marcelo’s ministry to is to continue establishing and developing Tiempo de Dios Church in Merlo while also planting and establishing other congregations. His vision is to see one new congregation established every one to two years in the small towns around the city of Merlo. At the same time, to form local leadership that can manage and ensure the health and growth of each of them. In many of these small towns, there is no presence of a Christian church, so the work to be done is significant.
Faith Story
Marcelo came to know the Lord at the age of 26. A co-worker who had recently found Christ shared the Gospel with him. Initially, Marcelo was reluctant to pay attention, but after a few months, he was willing to listen and came to know Jesus.
He immediately shared the Gospel with his girlfriend, Guadalupe, whom he married a few months later. They were baptized together on January 24, 1993.
Marcelo learned about Mission Door through Pastor Rigoberto Reyes (Director of Latin American Ministries with Missions Door), whom he met during a missionary trip. In 2023, by God’s grace, Aaron Palmatier (Vice President of Ministry at Missions Door) and Rigoberto Reyes visited Argentina and were able to witness the ministry happening in the city of Merlo, San Luis.
Family
Marcelo and Guadalupe were married in 1992 and are blessed by their three beautiful adult children: Belén Elisabet, Matías Joel and Lucas Gabriel. All three of their children and their son-in-law currently serve at Marcelo’s church.
Education
Marcelo studied at the Biblical Faith Seminary in Argentina (SBF) for four years. Later, he moved to Guatemala with his family, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in theology for another four years at the Central American Theological Seminary (SETECA). The theology degree is endorsed by the San Pablo University in Guatemala City. Marcelo also studied law at the Siglo XXI University.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Marcelo by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
Argentina is the eighth-largest country in the world, famous for its colorful cities like Buenos Aries, inventing the tango, and being home to some of the best football (soccer) players in the world.
Argentina is a Spanish-speaking country in South America. It’s the second-largest nation in the continent, right after Brazil. Due to European immigration, over 60% of the population has at least some Italian heritage. “Argentina” is actually Italian, meaning “made of silver.” Similarly to America, Argentina is considered a melting pot of racially diverse immigrants. 18% of the population are indigenous. While Spanish is the official language, dialects vary greatly depending on the region.
Although it was once the seventh wealthiest country in the world, years of war and civil unrest in the 70s and 80s have now marked the nation as a developing country. Political unrest was also dominant in the 2000s with violent riots in major cities and five different presidents within ten days.
Performance arts holds significance in Argentina. Tango is one of its international culture symbols, and the country boasts of having one of the great theatre capitals of the world. The South American gem has an accomplished film industry, winning and being nominated for several Academy Awards.
Pato, a horseback riding game, is Argentina’s national sport. However, the most popular sport is by far soccer. The Argentina men’s soccer team is one of the only in the world to have won the World Cup, Confederations Cup, and the Olympic Gold Medal. Its star player and captain, Lionel Messi, is considered the best player in the world and one the best in history.
Argentina is a top destination for travelers to South America, with Buenos Aries being the most visited city in the continent. The country has the most colorful buildings in the world, the best steak in the world, and Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. It’s not hard to understand why Argentina sees over 5.5 million tourists a year.
Cultural Snapshot
Argentinian culture is a delightful mix of laid-back, but full of life. The people are welcoming and enjoy dancing on the streets to live music. The nation leans liberal – 30% of Argentinian women undergo plastic surgery, and prostitution is legal.
Faith Fact
Argentina practices freedom of religion and doesn’t have an official religion. However, much of the population is Roman Catholic, and one of the first popes from the Americas, Pope Francis, was from Argentina. Within the last decades however, Agnosticism and Atheism has doubled, and Roman Catholicism has decreased.
Country Profile
Population: 45 million
Major Religions: 66% Roman Catholic, 21% Agnostic and Atheist
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: 98%
Poverty: 37%
Ministry service area:
International
Ministry location:
, argentina