El Ciudadano
Original article: Líderes de diversas organizaciones evangélicas entregan apoyo a Jeannette Jara y proponen agenda de asuntos religiosos para próximo Gobierno
Broad Sector of the Evangelical Community Declares Support for Jeannette Jara’s Candidacy
A diverse and representative coalition of leaders, scholars, pastors, and activists from the evangelical and Protestant community in Chile has publicly announced their support for the presidential candidacy of Jeannette Jara Román. The signatories, representing various faith-based organizations, emphasize that their backing is rooted in a longstanding commitment to fostering an institutional relationship with the state, promoting Fundamental Human Rights—including the Freedom of Worship—and building a respectful, just, and peaceful society for the majority. They highlight significant contributions in the nation’s democratic life, from their involvement in the 1925 Constitution and the defense of Human Rights during the dictatorship to the implementation of the Worship Law and the establishment of the National Office of Religious Affairs (ONAR).
See also / Open Letter from Jeannette Jara to the Christian and Evangelical Community with Three Commitments on Freedom of Worship
The letter underscores the candidate’s commitment to this sector, evidenced by her participation in dialogue at events such as the pension reform discussions and a commemorative ceremony in the Dissidents’ Patio of the General Cemetery in mid-2025. Supporters express their conviction that a government led by Jeannette Jara will ensure a state policy that deepens advances in religious freedom, adheres to international treaties, and institutionalizes the recognition of faith communities. “Her life and testimony of service guarantee a dignified future,” they assert, greeting her with respect and assuring their support. Notable signatories include Dr. Humberto Lagos Schuffeneger, the first director of ONAR; feminist theologian Cecilia Castillo Nanjari; rector Álvaro Ramis; mayor Joel Olmos; and former director for Latin America of the World Council of Churches, Marta Palma, along with a comprehensive list of representatives from across the country.
For a complete overview of the reasons behind this support and the full list of signatories, readers are invited to review the public letter of support below:
PUBLIC LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATE JEANNETTE JARA ROMÁN
We, the undersigned, are Chilean citizens participating in various organizations based on evangelical faith, through which we have historically worked to promote an institutional relationship with the state and recognition of Fundamental Human Rights, including Freedom of Worship.
Our commitment to contribute to building a society that respects diverse rights and embraces justice and peaceful coexistence for the majority is well-documented. We have worked both historically and presently to forge spaces for coexistence with substantial progress in respecting individual and collective rights, which are essential for living fully and with dignity.
Dating back to the 19th century, significant political and social events in legislative matters demonstrate our evangelical-Protestant traditions have been actively involved, as reflected in the Constitution of 1833 and the provisions of the first Civil Code. The Constitution of 1925 marked advances in religious tolerance by separating Church from State and addressing other vital aspects for democratic life.
The contributions of the evangelical community have been widely recognized during the commemorative events for the 100th anniversary of its enactment. After 1990, the end of the military regime that lasted 17 years saw notable contributions from Lutheran bishop Helmuth Frenz in defending Human Rights, as well as a letter from evangelical leaders to Pinochet advocating for the return of democracy, among many other initiatives by leaders and faith communities nationwide.
Patricio Aylwin initiated parliamentary proceedings for a bill proposing full respect for the Human Right to Freedom of Religion, which was enacted by Eduardo Frei as Law No. 19.638 in 1999, known as the Worship Law. In this important initiative, many of us who signed this letter worked to achieve equal recognition and justice for evangelical churches, advocating for initiatives such as the creation of the National Office of Religious Affairs (ONAR) and the establishment of National Evangelical and Protestant Churches Day, both of which were realized during Michelle Bachelet’s administrations. We appreciate the opportunity the candidate provided for evangelical representatives in the pension reform discussions, and her presence earlier this year in a special ceremony commemorating significant moments in our evangelical and Protestant traditions in Chile.
We hope to maintain a state policy under her government that adheres to international conventions and treaties aiming to promote and defend the rights of the land and its inhabitants, deepen advancements of the recognized Worship Law, and continue institutionalizing the recognition of faith communities. Mrs. Jeannette, we respectfully greet you and assure you of our support for your presidential candidacy, as your life and service testimony are guarantees of a dignified future as President of the Republic.
CONVENING SUPPORTERS
Dr. Humberto Lagos Schuffeneger. Sociologist and Human Rights Lawyer. First Director of the National Office of Religious Affairs.
Daniel Godoy F. Evangelical Pastor, PhD in Religious Sciences.
Cecilia Castillo Nanjari. Feminist and Pentecostal Theologian.
Gustavo Robles. Evangelical Pastor, Theologian, and Educator.
Patricia Pérez. Master of Education and Founder of the Learning to Live Center supporting individuals with HIV.
Alvaro Ramis. Rector of the Academy of Humanist Christian University.
Joel Olmos. Mayor of La Cisterna, Chair of the Religious Affairs Commission ACHM.
Pedro Aguirre. Missionary Pastor of the Fountain of Grace Church.
Simeón Salazar Sepúlveda. Deacon of the Ark of the Levites Church.
Amador Sepúlveda García. Christian Church Kerygma, panelist of «Cristian Vision» program.
Eduardo Mondino. Chaplain of the Chilean Agency of Christian Chaplains.
Raúl Felipe Zamorano Zamora. Biblical Christian Church MQV.
Moisés Mappingbsc. International Consultant CNO and pastors from Chile.
Pamela Robles. Psychologist at the Vasti Foundation.
Lianggi Espinoza. PhD, university academic, writer, and Christian social activist.
Carlos Caamaño Espinoza. Theological Community of Chile.
Tatiana Patricia Arredondo Ortega. Theologian, Pastor, and Educator. Disident Embrace.
Boris Flores Toledo. Apostolic Pentecostal Evangelical Church.
Felipe Saravia. Brother in Christ.
Paly Pavez. Lafamiliateatro.
Roberto Orlando Marchant Parada. President of Corema, Regional Evangelical Coordinator of Maule.
David Suazo Guastavino. Petra Church.
José Saúl Bravo PhD in Education. Former Governor of Colchagua and C. Caro, former member of the 1st ONAR. Baptist Brother.
Mauricio Alejandro Cepeda Meza. Theatre Company.
Daniel Hidalgo Veloso. Theologian, Historian.
Fresia Margarita Hernandez Bravo. MEV Church in the Hand of God.
Marta Palma. Former director for Latin America of the World Council of Churches.
Walter Fuentealba. Deacon, Church of the Lord.
Wido Alejandro Contreras Yévenes. Pentecostal Evangelical.
Daniela Huerta Vallejos. Church Time of God.
Lila Santibañez Herrera. Baptist Church.
Rubén Huenulef Ortega. Independent Lutheran Church.
Ismael Vidal Basaure. Christian Left.
Jackeline Guastavino Sepúlveda. Petra Church.
Raquel Vallejos Muñoz. Time of God.
Claudio González Urbina. FASIC – Social Aid Foundation of Christian Churches.
Ingrid Gibson. Vineyard Church Las Condes.
Francisco Bustos Durán. Evangelical Brother, former GBU member.
Cristian John Soto González. Evangelical Church Ministry of Faith.
Esteban Quiroz. Evangelical layman, blogger at El Otro Canuto.
Judith Ress, ecofeminist theologian. President, Tremonhue: Integral Health and Spirituality Center.
Felipe Rojas Cortés. Methodist, sociologist, and theologian.
Daniel Gutiérrez. Christian Educator.
Lidia Mansilla Valenzuela. Writer.
Giovanna Tapia Garrido. Baptist Community Church.
Ingrid Villarroel. Jesus is Life Church.
Oscar Sanhueza. Theologian and Advisor. President of the Lutheran Church Pastoral Conference.
Benjamín Moreno. Eternal Pact Christian Community.
Jessica Cerna Guerrero. Lutheran Church in Chile.
Alfonso Huaquinao. Pastor.
Jessica Prieto. Hope Ministry.
Alisson Peñailillo. Hope Ministry.
Leslie Quintriqueo. Wesleyan Evangelical Mission Church of Chile.
Andrèe Lancellotti Zúñiga. Founder of Josiah Foundation.
Barbara Müller. Member of the Anglican Church (this is private support, not representative).
Ema Fuentealba Colima. Baptist Church.
La entrada Evangelical Leaders Unite to Support Jeannette Jara’s Presidential Bid and Propose Religious Agenda for Upcoming Government se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.
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