ADVERTISING
We thank God and celebrate the growth of our readership in the last 12 months.
It is the first time that the Legislative Assembly of the Central American nation has as many as fourteen Christian MPs.
The fourteen MPS of the Christian PRN party in the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly. / PRN
For the first time in the history of the Central American nation, the Legislative Assembly has as many as 14 Christian MPs.
They all belong to the National Restoration Party (PRN) and were elected in the first round of the Presidential election, in February.
The majority of these new parliamentarians are evangelical pastors, preachers and church leaders. This is a new trend in the Costa Rican political world since the PRN (shaped by a clear religious perspective) succeeded in the last electoral campaign and received a hugely unexpected support for its Christian values and principles.
Until now, the party had only achieved to have one single representative in the national Assembly. For the last four years, it was Fabricio Alvarado alone who represented the party. He would become the presidential candidate in 2018, and only lost the Presidential election in the second round (April), after winning the first round (24%). The officialist Carlos Alvarado of the PAC won the second round in April with a secular and progressive agenda.
It is the narrative of the PRN leader, a Christian journalist and singer, that helped the Christian party go from being a marginal party to now become the second largest of the national parliament.
NO MAJORITIES IN THE PARLIAMENT
On May 1, the 57 MPs took office in the Costa Rican parliament, and voted for the parliamentary exeutive desk.
Although the party of the country’s new President came only third in the parliamentary election (with 10 MPs), the PAC won the Assembly’s presidency for the 2018-2022 mandate after it negotiated negotiating the support for its candidate with several smaller parties. In other words, no group has a majority in the parliament, and all legislative initiatives in the coming years will need coalition work.
The PRN is the second group in the parliament. The aim of the 14 Christian MPs is to “balance the action of the President [Carlos Alvarado] and practise a responsible opposition”.
PRN’s MP Ivonne Acuña was voted the as the second secretary of the Assembly desk. Acuña is psychologist and youth pastor of the International Church of the Big Flock.
We who follow Jesus Christ have also been made priests (Revelation 1:6).
The bird is famous for its dances, and its up to five-metre leaps in air when they gather in small groups, in a sort of social recognition ritual.
Julia Doxat-Purser: 25 years of EEA office in Brussels
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Lars Dahle: Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Testimony: Wildfires near Athens
Nico Spies, a Christian worker in Athens, gives details about the wildfires in Greece.
Photos: European Week of Prayer
Christians joined the Evangelical Alliance Week of Prayer in dozens of European cities as local churches came together to worship God.
Photos: Students at ‘Revive Europe’
Photos of the student conference that brought together 3,000 European Christians in Germany. ‘Revive our hearts, revive our universities, revive Europe’.
Min19: Childhood, family and the church
The first evangelical congress on childhood and family was held in Madrid. Pictures of the event, November 1-2.
IFES World Assembly: ‘Messengers of Hope’
Students, graduates and staff of the global evangelical student movement reflected together on how the books of Luke and Acts apply to today's universities.
Christians at work - the missing link in fulfilling the Great Commission
Photos of the Lausanne Movement Global Workplace Forum, celebrated in Manila.
Christian candidacies in Taiwan increased by 40% in 2020 election
Many hope their effort will inspire a new generation of political representatives with a strong Christian faith. “God has a long-term plan”.
Why does the Roman Catholic Church mandate that priests remain celibate?
“There is no biblical reason for the imposition of celibacy as the status of pastors or priests”, says Vatican expert and evangelical theologian Leonardo De Chirico.
Video: Highlights of ‘Revive Europe’
A video summary of the student conference that gathered 3,000 in Karlsruhe, Germany. 6 days in 6 minutes.
Families forced to leave homes in Chiapas
Requests for government intervention were ignored, and nearby churches are providing the displaced believers with emergency supplies and lodging.
‘There’s a dragon in my nativity’
“At this nativity, arose another player. The baby wrapped in swaddling cloths — He was a dragon slayer”. A Christmas story by Speak Life.
World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly highlights
The World Evangelical Alliance's General Assembly 2019 in Jakarta, Indonesia, brought together 800 evangelicals from 92 countries to pray, worship and cast vision for the new decade of holistic discipleship.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or