Sowing seeds of a Christ-centered education in the heart of Argentina

"La educación es pan, no flan", or rather, "Education is bread, not dessert" embodies the importance of education in transforming a people and a nation. Discovered in the midst of a round-about in Rio Cuarto, Argentina, this quote serves as a reminder and the emphasis of what Betel School sets out to achieve in teaching the truth about God and His Son, Jesus Christ through private education.

Just this year, Betel School celebrates opening its doors to 45 Pre-K and first grade students. In a community that was previously without a viable option for Christian schooling, Betel seeks to show in word and in deed, the incredible love of God in Christ. 

What makes Argentina a difficult place to provide a learning environment? While undoubtedly an amazing nation, culture, and people, Argentina also has one of the highest and most volatile inflation rates in the world. Over the past year, inflation has ranged as high as 300%, and just recently dipped below 100% for the first time in recent history (https://buenosairesherald.com/economics/argentina-inflation-fell-to-2-2-in-january-2025-in-lowest-yet-for-milei). Imagine your buying power being cut in half each year, coupled with an average salary of around $25,000. To put this in perspective, the United States annual inflation rate hovers around just 4% with an average salary of $62,000. It becomes easy to see the challenges of maintaining any type of financial stability let alone paying high costs for private education. 

The origin of the Betel school reaches back 15 years to a time when a Christian father was picking up his son from his first years at school. With tears he lamented taking his child to a school committed to values, instruction, and morals that frequently contradicted all that he believed and sought to teach his son. So while holding his hand he began to cry out to God. Over time God would gather other families longing for a place where their faith could flourish and their children would learn about God as Creator and Father. A place where King Jesus would be the hero these young lives could seek. Now in the beginning of 2025 God is answering this humble prayer.

You have the opportunity to partner in God’s work in Rio Cuarto as a local church (Centro Cristiano Familiar) is seeking to fulfill the Great Command (Matt 22:34-40; 25:34-46) and the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) by starting a private Christian school that can provide an affordable and accessible Christian education in the center of Argentina. In order to fulfill this mission we want to invite you to join us in training future generations of ambassadors for Jesus. Here are ways to partner with us:

• Pray - Join our monthly newsletter here.

• An annual gift of $1,100 covers the cost of tuition for 1 student each year. Partner with a student scholarship through your financial gift (Account: 32050) here.

• An annual gift of $2,400 supports the teachers and reduces the cost of tuition for multiple families. Financially support the teachers and administration at the school (Account: 32025) here.

• Contribute to the construction that enables Betel to grow in the years to come. Currently there is a $30,000 need to cover a ceiling project, along with architect fees, and payments for the remaining property. You can partner in the construction costs (Account: 32075) here.

If you choose to financially partner with PIEI and the Betel Project, 100% of your tax-deductible gift will go directly to support the ministry of this school in 2025 thanks to existing partners.

The Expansion Timeline for Betel