A Vision of South America
In the early 1950s, Argentina was a challenging field for spreading the Christian faith. The dominance of spiritism and the occult, coupled with the Roman Catholic Church's influence, made evangelical outreach difficult. Yet, in 1952, Tommy Hicks, an American evangelist, received a vision while in Tallahassee, Florida. He saw South America as a vast field ripe for harvest, with people calling out for help. This vision propelled Hicks to Argentina, despite local skepticism.
Meeting President Perón
Upon arriving in Buenos Aires, Hicks aimed to meet President Juan Perón to secure a large venue for his crusade. This seemed impossible due to Perón's known intolerance towards non-Catholic groups. However, after praying for a guard suffering from hepatitis at the presidential palace, the guard was healed. This miraculous event led Hicks to an audience with President Perón, who was suffering from a severe skin condition. Hicks prayed for him, and Perón was reportedly healed. In gratitude, Perón granted Hicks permission to use the Atlantic Stadium and access to media channels.
Millions Gather
The crusade began on April 14, 1954, with 6,000 attendees. As news of miraculous healings and the message of Jesus spread, thousands flocked to the events. By May, crowds were so large that they moved to the Huracán Stadium, yet even its 110,000-seat capacity was insufficient. Over 52 days, an estimated three to six million attended, witnessing numerous healings and conversions. Hicks' simple message of Jesus as Savior and Healer resonated profoundly.
A Nation Awakened
The impact was transformative. Bible sales soared, evangelical churches grew rapidly, and many abandoned their careers to pursue ministry. The Hicks crusade broke Argentina's resistance to evangelical faith, laying the groundwork for future revivals and a burgeoning Christian community. Despite later challenges, including conflicting accounts of events and Hicks' personal struggles, the revival's legacy endures, credited with a profound spiritual awakening in Argentina.
