The Ibero-American Congress for Life and the Family will celebrate its tenth anniversary in Madrid from 16 to 18 June 2027.

In preparation for the event, the organisers are touring northern Spain during the first few weeks of October on a second promotional tour, following the one they previously did in the south.

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Their first stop was Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday 7 October, where Jorge Márquez, a pastor from Uruguay, and the founder and president of the Congress, Mexican politician Aarón Lara, addressed a group of pastors and evangelical leaders from Galicia at a meeting led by Marcos Zapata, president of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance.

Since 2017

Lara explained that the Congress was established in 2017 as a not-for-profit organisation to promote the protection of life from conception, the institution of marriage and the family, and fundamental freedoms from a Christian worldview.

It has held annual events in several countries, including Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Argentina, Panama, Bolivia, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic, as well as regional congresses, forums and legislative summits.

The movement has been present at the assemblies of the OAS (the Organisation of American States, a regional political body comprising 35 countries) since 2017, and began its work at the UN this year.

The Ibero-American Congress has grown every year as more politicians, political leaders and other influential figures in regional politics have joined forces to defend the same principles and values.

The proclamation of Guatemala as a ‘pro-life capital’ and the creation of the school of political training directed by Xesús Manuel Suárez from Galicia were among the key achievements mentioned.

While civil society can play a role within the OAS, it is more difficult to do so at the UN. However, the first steps have already been taken towards forming a 'Core Group', through which they hope to be present and have an impact within the world's highest international body.

A “pro-life festival” in Madrid

The Ibero-American Congress representatives explained that the Madrid event will be a “pro-life celebration for Ibero-America”.

The first day will bring together Christian legislators from several countries, who will talk about the situation of life, the family and civil liberties in their respective nations.

The second day will feature an opening ceremony with times of worship led by Kike Pavón, as well as presentations including one by the evangelist Itiel Arroyo.

On the third day, the movement's projects and initiatives will be presented. They aim to expand the strategy beyond politics into other spheres of influence, such as the media.

The organisers hope to have at least 500 participants, whom they have encouraged to come with their church leaders.

Lara encouraged those present to seek out young people who might be interested in attending, in order to breathe new life into the movement.

The event is part of the activities taking place in Spain to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance, and the programme will include a tribute to the Reina-Valera Bible.

“The political world, an unreached mission field”

The speakers stressed that politics is an area that the church has neglected. Márquez described the political world as an “unreached mission field” and argued that Christians must not isolate themselves from political and legislative responsibility.

He described the family and marriage as God's designs, and warned that worldly ideas enter the church through education. He also condemned laws which he believes undermine conscience and religious freedom.

Lara warned that although there has been a political shift in the Americas in recent years, gender ideology continues to be promoted internationally by groups and organisations whose aim is to fight against the Christian faith.

He pointed out that the conference does not define itself as either right-wing or left-wing, but as grounded in biblical values.

A letter and an association

Among the new initiatives, Lara announced that a letter of principles would be presented at the Madrid event, to explain their political approach and the reasons why evangelicals should not remain on the sidelines of public life.

The organisers are also working on setting up an association of Christian journalists to ensure the evangelical perspective is better represented in the media.

Lara lamented the lack of influential evangelical news presenters and columnists in their countries and encouraged writers to find ways to reach the mainstream media.

The Spanish context

During the question-and-answer session, attendees raised specific issues about Spain in relation to the political context in Latin America. Several people pointed out that there are currently no evangelical MPs or senators at the national level.

There was discussion about how the image of evangelicals could be affected when certain family- or life-related disputes or demands may end up being co-opted by a specific political agenda.

One of the attendees suggested to the organisers that they should seek common ground with left-wing groups on issues such as housing, children, and the protection of the most vulnerable.

Lara replied that, regardless of the presence of politicians of one political persuasion or another, his priority is to summon the evangelical church.

The relationship with Catholic pro-life organisations was also addressed. He said that they collaborate with them on legislative battles, but “like railway tracks, running in parallel”.

Over the coming days, the promotional tour will visit the Spnish cities of Santander (9th), Bilbao (10th), Valladolid (12th) and Salamanca (13th), while preparations continue for the 10th anniversary of the Congress, which will take place in Madrid from 16 to 18 June.

You can find more information and register here.