Fresh Winds in Latin America: The Launch of Capitol Ministries Argentina

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In a region long shaped by political volatility and secular influences, a fresh movement is quietly gaining ground—rooted not in power plays or party shifts, but in the enduring truths of Scripture. On May 27, Capitol Ministries launched its long-awaited ministry in Argentina, marking a powerful milestone in Latin American expansion.

Traveling across the Rio de la Plata estuary by ferry, Capitol Ministries founders Ralph and Danielle Drollinger, along with Latin America Director Oscar Zamora and his wife Elizabeth and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta, arrived in Buenos Aires. They were greeted by Bernardo Affranchino—CapMin’s National Ministry Leader for Argentina, and a group of approximately 40 public servants gathered inside the Argentine Congress building. Among them were senators, members of the House, and local officials—many of whom are young, newly elected, and surprisingly determined to be taught the Word of God.

“The recent elections in Argentina have brought a wave of young people into politics,” said Oscar Zamora. “It’s refreshing to see so many of them not only eager to serve their country, but also hungry to build their lives on biblical values.”

This wasn’t Capitol Ministries’ first attempt to launch in Argentina. A 2020 effort was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a second attempt was disrupted by last year’s national elections. This time, the door opened thanks to a young congressman from Tierra del Fuego named Santiago Pauli. With passion and logistical prowess, Santiago rallied fellow colleagues in Congress and helped organize the event. “Bernardo coached him, gave him the Word of God, and Santiago led the way. It was beautiful to watch,” noted Oscar.

As part of the launch, leaders shared about Capitol Ministries’ approach to Bible study tailored specifically for political leaders. Secretary Acosta, who participated in Ralph Drollinger’s Cabinet Bible studies during the first Trump administration, emphasized the personal impact those studies made on him and his colleagues.

“Every lawmaker in every nation can benefit from the study of scripture. This is particularly true in Latin America, whose growing economies and populations benefit greatly from leaders grounded in faith, morality and service to others,” former Secretary Acosta shared during the trip.

Later that day, a smaller gathering of young Christian leaders met for coffee with Ralph, eager to ask questions and hear about the vision of Capitol Ministries. “They had genuine hunger for God’s Word,” said Oscar. “And for once, political leaders weren’t being lobbied—but being discipled.”

“We do not cease to thank God for more open doors as Capitol Ministries continues its faithful work in Latin America—not with fanfare or political ambition, but with prayer, Scripture, and the conviction that true transformation begins in the heart of a leader guided by truth,” said Ralph Drollinger, Founder and President of Capitol Ministries.