Latin America
In the NCFI family, Latin America, with its beautiful scenery, vibrant culture, and mainly Spanish and Portuguese languages, as well as other Aboriginal languages, is a very diverse region. It is a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, German, English, Italian, African and indigenous.
Christian Union of Nurses in Argentina
UCEA is experiencing amazing growth. It has several national groups and new contacts in different parts of the country; through regular meetings, Bible studies, in-person and virtual gatherings, strengthening faith, being used by God in their work environments, sharing the gospel or being attentive to the needs of others. Argentina has representatives in the NCFI (the International Board) and in the Regional Committee. The work is also carried out through social media. Having legal status in the country has helped with better positioning within national nursing. Argentina has also been working with the IHS Saline Process program, which has increased engagement from those who want to sow God’s Word in hospitals.
Website: www.cidecal.wordpress.com
Email of our representative to the NCF: miri_sterli@hotmail.com
Colombia
View websiteColombia is mainly working with retired nurses in a pastoral ministry that is focussed on older adults in the town of Suba (Lisbon) north of the city of Bogotá, who are accompanied by spiritual care every Friday afternoon. There are also some young Christian nurses who contribute to CIDEC-AL’s messaging page, communications, and ministry to students and the new generation.
The CECEC publishes the Virtual Bulletin “El Mensajero” for all Latin America, which informs the entire region about the work of the NCFI in Latin America. In addition, CECEC continues to work for the strengthening and service of Ecumenism, as a strategy in Spiritual Care from Christian Nursing.
Chile
Email: alicia.yanez93@gmail.com
The groups of Believing Nurses and Midwives from Concepción and Temuco, pillars of NCFI’s presence in our country, connect Christian nurses and midwives, equipping them to carry out their work from a Biblical worldview, practicing their profession from the very heart of God. Meetings are held every 15 days, plus an annual National Conference. There’s also a network of retired nurses and midwives who support each other as well as active nurses and students, united in Christ. Local connections exist with Nursing Associations and Universities.
Chile will be the host country for the XII CIDEC-AL Congress, November 26-29, 2026, in Concepción.
Cuba
CUBA. During the work carried out in 2025 by the ministry (UEMEC), it is very important to highlight how since the conference held in 2022, we have met the objectives we set. There was participation in the international Christian nursing congress in June 2024 by our sister Wilma, thanks to the active collaboration of the sister who funded the trip, our delegate as a representative of Christian nurses from Cuba, which was an unforgettable experience. We have held meetings where we study the Word, read devotionals, pray over topics presented by the sisters, read Spiritual Care through the Regions, check the emails sent by the sisters from CIDEC-AL, enjoy the praises, and fellowship. We visit nurses who are in greater need, our elderly and retired sisters, bringing help and meeting needs. In our evangelistic work, we visit nursing homes, children’s hospitals, and especially sad In children’s wards with oncology patients, we bring them spiritual support. PRESIDENT: Claudia Stevens Romero ADVISORS: Argelia Oquendo Abreu.
Ecuador
Currently in Ecuador we are working with four groups:
- With former teachers of retired nurses called “Joy Group” who are the pioneers of MEDEC (closed group)
- Retired nurses under the age of 70
- Active nurses
- Nursing Students
Fabiola Hidalgo, member of the NCFI Expansion Committee, is interested in working with active nurses and especially with the new generation together with Claudia Stevens (from Cuba) representing Latin America for the Next Generation forum. We have a great challenge ahead; we want to continue advancing at work.
NCFI Latin America also has contacts in
Upcoming events
All Events →Latin America, Regional Conference 2026
Latin America, Regional Conference To be held in Concepcion, Chile 26 - 29 November 2026.
History
The work of NCF in Latin America was started by missionary nurses working in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador and Chile. These nurses who felt called by God to work among Christian nurses, were appointed by NCFI to help establish NCFI’s work in Latin America.
The first NCFI regional conference was held in Lima, Peru in 1982. The second conference in 1986 was organized by NCF in Argentina. During the third regional conference in Ecuador in 1990 the first Regional Committee was formed.
Latin America currently has its representation on the NCFI International Board, working on different committees.
CIDEC-AL Executive Committee 2023–2026
Regional Representative to NCFI 2024–2028: Fabiola Hidalgo M., representative of MEDEC. medec.ecuador@gmail.com
Regional President 2023–2026: Miriam Sterli, Argentina, representative of UCEA. miri_sterli@hotmail.com
Secretary: Graciela E. Rojas, Argentina, representative of UCEA. gracielaswissmedical@gmail.com
Treasurer: Alicia Yáñez, Chile, representative of ACEMACH. alicia.yanez93@gmail.com
Committee Member: Fabiola Hidalgo, Ecuador, representative of MEDEC. faby_hidalsan@hotmail.com
Committee Member: Claudia Stevens, Cuba, representative of UEMEC. claudiastevensromero@gmail.com