In a speech filled with biblical references, the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, inaugurated the new building of the evangelical church Portal del Cielo (Heaven’s Gate) in the province of Chaco, Argentina.
As previously reported by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition, the modern building was unveiled during a ceremony attended by local leaders and pastors from the evangelical Christian community. The auditorium has a seating capacity of over 10,000, making it one of the most significant religious venues in the country.
Before an expectant congregation, the president focused his message on the supremacy of Judeo-Christian values and warned of the dangers of idolizing the state, which he went so far as to call "a representation of the evil one on earth."
Milei began his address by emphasizing the importance of a "cultural battle" for the nation, framing it within a context of faith. He argued that the foundation of Western prosperity lies in the application of values rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition. “The West prospered thanks to values such as work, individual responsibility, foresight, and respect for the law,” he said.
A central point of his message was a strong critique of the concept of "social justice," which, according to Milei, directly violates divine commandments. “Social justice is stealing the fruits of one person’s labor to give them to another,” he declared, adding that the idea contradicts clear biblical precepts: “It goes against commandments such as ‘You shall not steal’ and ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.’”
At the most intense moment of his speech, the Argentine president compared worship of the state to idolatry, describing it as a “false god” or a modern “golden calf” that diverts faith away from the Creator. To support his claim, he cited Scripture, including 1 Samuel 8, where the people of Israel ask for a king and God warns them that the king will take their possessions and their freedom.
He also referenced Luke 4:5, where Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. For Milei, these passages demonstrate that the state is an instrument that impoverishes and strips away freedom.
The speech ended with a passionate call for the congregation and the nation to return to the roots of their faith. “Freedom is light,” he proclaimed, urging those present to awaken and reconnect with biblical truths to build a prosperous future. He expressed hope that Argentina could become a "light to the world" through faith and freedom.
Pastor Jorge Ledesma, who leads the congregation, stated last Thursday: “Our International Christian Church is now officially the Church Portal del Cielo! I’m very happy to announce that a new season is beginning for us. We are expectant for what is to come. It’s time to see the glory of God descend!”
Milei’s participation in an evangelical event of this magnitude is unusual in Argentine politics and reflects the growing public presence of Christian churches in the country. His attendance represents a symbolic acknowledgement of the evangelical movement’s institutional advancement in the social and cultural spheres.
Originally published on Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
