Introduction / History

What is now Chile was part of the Spanish Empire from the 1500s until 1810, though it didn’t gain complete independence until 1818. Since many of the Spanish settlers in Chile were ethnically Basque, Chileans are usually a combination of Spaniards, Basques, and the indigenous Mapuches.

Chileans have emigrated to other countries at various times. In the early 1800s, Chilean ranchers went to Mexico. Others went to Australia and the United States for mining opportunities. From the 1960s to the 1980s, people fled Chile for political reasons. Some returned to Chile, while others remained in various countries, such as Argentina, a country they share a long border with. Even in Spanish colonial days there were Chileans and Argentines moving across their common border. In the late 1800s, it was common for Chileans to go to southern Argentina to work on sheep farms. Some came to Argentina in the 1970s to escape the regime of Augusto Pinochet; most of these later returned to Chile.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Chilean culture is Latin American, but it has its own distinctions. It has its own dance, the cueca, and musical form, tonada. Thanks to its long coastline, Chilean cuisine includes lots of seafood.

Like Argentinians, Chileans love soccer and basketball. Chileans also love surfing and skiing. Rodeo was once their national sport.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like most Latin Americans, Chileans are usually Roman Catholic, but many are Evangelical. They can become a great mission force no matter where they live.

What Are Their Needs?

Christians, whether Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, need the Holy Spirit to awaken their hearts to Jesus Christ's centrality. They need a close relationship with the Lord of Lords.

Prayer Items

Pray for revival in Chilean churches, be they Roman Catholic or Protestant.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to draw them closer to Christ.
Pray for them to become a mission force with the lost in South America.
Pray for Chileans to support workers around the world faithfully.

Scripture Prayers for the Chilean in Argentina.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chileans#Emigration_of_Chileans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Chile
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_Argentines#:~:text=Chilean%20Argentines%20are%20Argentine%20citizens%20of%20Chilean%20descent,living%20in%20the%20country%20%28born%20in%20Chilean%20territory%29.