Bishop Esteban Alfaro preaching in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in santiago de Chile. Photo: ILCH
Bishop Esteban Alfaro on being church in a divided society
(LWI) - When he joined the Lutheran Church in Chile in 1979, he needed interpretation because he people in the youth group that Bishop Esteban Alfaro joined as a young man only spoke German. The church grew when it opened to the local, Spanish-speaking community and today is engaged in serving the neighbor and a voice for reconciliation, promoting healing, and fostering dialogue across political divides.
Tell us about your journey. How did you discover your faith, and what led you to the Lutheran Church?
My home church is the Lutheran Church in Chile, specifically the Church of the Redeemer in Santiago. I was raised in a Roman Catholic family that valued faith and practiced it regularly. God was always present in my life, thanks to my parents, who shared their faith with me from an early age. I grew up with two aunts who were nuns in the Salesian order of Don Bosco, which is dedicated to educating young people through its network of schools. This gave me a strong Christian foundation, though my parents were more “Christian” than traditionally Catholic in their approach.
When I was fourteen, I picked up a Bible my mother kept by her bed and read the gospels for the first time on my own. I was captivated. The image of Jesus that formed in my mind felt so profound, it changed me. My dreams, my goals—they all shifted. I felt my life could have a deeper purpose, reaching into meaningful existential questions.
How did you come to embrace the Lutheran faith?
Until I turned eighteen, I was part of the Catholic Church, but I found myself drawn to explore other Christian communities to deepen my faith in new ways. This was before the internet, so I used a phone book. There were so many options, and I decided to randomly pick one. My finger landed on the Lutheran Church in Chile. I called, and Pastor Richard Wagner invited me to join their youth group.
The youth group met on Saturdays, but I was eager, so I visited the church early that Wednesday. I found the door slightly open and ventured in. Two young people greeted me, and I shared with them my spiritual search. They also invited me to the youth group, where I soon became part of the community, even though they spoke German—a language I didn’t know. One of the young women interpreted for me. Over the next two years, I grew up with this group and eventually co-led it. As we transitioned to using Spanish, more young people began joining.
This experience was incredibly fulfilling. I connected deeply with Lutheran worship. After graduating from university, I felt called to study theology. I began my studies, first at a Baptist seminary, then a Presbyterian one. Eventually, I received a scholarship from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), which allowed me to study in Brazil for seven years.
I met my wife in Brazil, and our first daughter was born there. Later, we returned to Chile, where my other two children were born, and I began my pastoral work at 32.
How did you become a bishop?
Technically, I should have retired by now, but I felt a strong desire to continue serving. I spoke to our church president, who supported my decision. Eventually, the church asked me to take on the role of bishop. I was initially reluctant, but after some encouragement, I accepted.
Can you describe your church for us?
Our church is relatively small, with ten congregations and ten pastors serving around 2,600 people. Many more attend services but aren’t officially registered as members. Our roots are in German culture, and we use the Prussian liturgy in both Spanish and German. About a quarter of our congregations are German-speaking, while the rest are Spanish-speaking.
When Germans first arrived in Chile in 1846, the government prohibited public worship for non-Catholics, leading to a church culture that was closed off for over a century. Only around 1982 did our church open to the Chilean community. Since then, we’ve worked to make the church more inclusive, with a focus on ministry in Spanish.
The people who make up our church are its greatest asset—their dedication, their time, and their contributions sustain our community and he proclamation of the gospel.
The Pinochet dictatorship left many scars in Chilean society. Does the church play a continuing role in reconciliation?
Today, Lutheran congregations offer spaces for gathering and support, helping communities unite and work toward collective healing and a more inclusive future.
The legacy of the military government continues to divide Chile, impacting every aspect of society, including our church. We have members from all political backgrounds, but we avoid discussing party politics. Our focus remains on Christ. The scars of that period still affect all Chileans. Healing is an ongoing task, not only for our church but for the entire nation. We’re collaborating with our sister church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chile (IELCH), to address these wounds together.
It’s a difficult journey, but our commitment to unity remains strong. We’re dedicated to dialogue, open gatherings, and finding common ground. This process will take time, but we believe it’s the only path forward.
What does it mean for your church to be part of the Lutheran communion?
For a long time, our church was somewhat isolated, but that changed when Bishop Orlando Holz reached out to the LWF. Joining this communion has helped us connect with the global Lutheran community, to understand worldwide issues, and align ourselves with a shared theological vision.
Being part of the Lutheran communion is about more than membership—it’s about recognizing that we are part of something larger.
Esteban ALFARO, Bishop of the LCC
Being part of the Lutheran communion is about more than membership—it’s about recognizing that we are part of something larger. It allows us to listen, to learn from other churches’ experiences, and to find strength in our diversity.
