Evangelical Revival in El Alto, 1995
With his outstretched arms, Casimiro celebrates his evangelical faith
with other members of the Sunday congregation at Iglesia Beth Shalom.
Drawing residents from across the city, this and other evangelical
churches in El Alto, are quickly becoming centers for migrant families,
as they proclaim their new found faith and receive an instant family
in the city. Since this church does not condone the consumption of
alcohol, single mothers also seek refuge at the doorstep of such pastors
and their members. Preaching the diabolical nature of indigenous beliefs,
Evangelical ministers urge their followers to renounce their traditional
ways, exclusively speak Spanish, and abide by the teachings of The
Bible. Migrants who find the church often comment that they feel more
secure in their new urban siutaion, since they can trust other Christians
who they meet there.
