The gathering is taking place in this gigantic church, which is already completely packed, awaiting of course the arrival of the President of the Republic. A day that will also be marked by history because it is the return of this TEDE, this national Thanksgiving service here to JBche. During the last 7 years, religious services led by the Evangelical Church and others traveled through communes such as Puente Alto, San Bernardo, San Joaquín and also the commune of Las Condes. But today it returns to the place where it all started 51 years ago, in September 1975, when it began to transform into a tradition in our country. The ministers of state are already there, practically the entire cabinet of President José Antonio Cas, the high military commands of the armed forces and law enforcement, parliamentarians, and representatives of the three branches of government. And here on the front, in the Alameda, very close to the Palacio de la Moneda, we are with the formation of the troops, from the non-commissioned officer schools of the Carabineros, the Air Force, the Navy, the PolinAP, who have come from Valparaíso and also, of course, from the army of our country who are going to pay honors to the President of the Republic who in a few more minutes will be in this place to be obviously the host. What do these thanksgiving services consist of ? There have been some very controversial ones lately. Everything depends on how the public debate develops in our country, when there have been issues that have to do with values, such as abortion, such as homosexual marriage. These kinds of elements have been part of the main discourse delivered today by bishops and pastors. What will this evangelical Te Deum of 2026 be about? We'll find out, obviously, in a little while, when we have the floor and we listen to the people who are going to use the microphone. This is a ceremony of the evangelical world that is quite long, it will last about 2 hours, it has 14 milestones and the truth is that it is impressive when you enter to feel the vibe, the energy of the people who are already waiting for the president. There are more than 5,000 people inside the temple. We're going to talk right away with one of the protagonists of this day, Reverend Hector Cerda. He is the ruling pastor of the Evangelical Cathedral. Pastor, good morning. We are live for the entire country. Today this Evangelical Tedeumo returns to Jeze. What does it mean to you? For us as an evangelical church, it is enormously significant that our evangelical thanksgiving service returns to our cathedral temple. For us it was a waiting time that lasted 8 years, but today it has been the sovereign will of God that the service takes place in our temple. For this we are very happy, very pleased and even more so God gave us a beautiful day to celebrate this service. Yes, a very spring-like day here in Santiago, Chile. What is the message they want to convey to the country today, obviously through this service, but also to President José Antonio Cas, who will be the protagonist? Yes, evangelical churches always have the mission of being able to pray for those who govern us. We always include in our prayers those who preside over us today as the highest authority of the President of the Republic, asking that God grant them the wisdom, intelligence, and ability to surround them with suitable people who can help them for the benefit of our nation, our beloved country of Chile. Pastor, and how integrated are they into society, into the daily lives of Chileans? Since 1999, under the government of President Frey, Chile has had a law on religious freedom, which was a true victory for you. In 2008, a holiday was also established for the evangelical world during the government of President Michelle Bachelet. What's missing? What is still needed for them to be fully integrated into society? We as an evangelical church are integrated into different areas of society. The church has been doing very effective work in the prisons of Santiago for many years. Today we have many members of our congregation whose lives God rescued one day in that place, and today they are brothers and sisters in faith. We as an evangelical church are always asking the Lord to guide the destiny of our country. We are happy to be part of this beautiful country. They are concerned about what Chile is experiencing, the economic situation, the current insecurity that worries Chileans as well, as shown by practically all opinion polls, as well as the priorities and concerns of Chileans. Undoubtedly, as evangelicals, we are not unaware of the problems facing our nation, but as I said, our duty is to pray that God can regulate, change, and allow our country to grow. economically, we hope to have less crime, which is an issue that worries us all as citizens of our country. But in our prayers, at every service, every Sunday, we pray for our country so that God will keep us, God will protect us, and God will also guide us as a nation. Reverend, lastly, you are the ruling pastor here at JCH. It's amazing to cross the threshold of the door and feel the vibe, the energy of the people. How have they prepared? How many people are in the choir, for example, today? Today we have two choirs. The combined choir, which is the instrumental choir, has a capacity of 850 people today, and we have a polyphonic choir, which is a vocal choir, with approximately 80 voices. We have been preparing for several months. There has been a team of 400 brothers working in different areas to ensure that this service is excellent today, because everything we do is to honor the name of our God. We wish you the greatest success at this ceremony. We know how important it is to the evangelical world of the country, 20% of the Chilean population. So, best of luck, pastor. I wish you all the best. Thank you so much for being with us. Gentle. Thank you. Good morning. I hope things go very well for you. One of the protagonists who is and has been permanently receiving all the authorities. The diplomatic corps is also present. He just arrived , we saw Ambassador Brandon Jud of the United States who has been in the news spotlight for the past few weeks, he will be sitting very close to the President of the Republic and also the United States ministers to begin, obviously, with the ceremony, with the main points and above all to hear the final part. There are several bishops and pastors who will speak, who will deliver messages, but the most important one is always the final message, the final word that one of the bishops will deliver, and it will probably be the one that marks this day, because it is there that the evangelical world also gives its opinion on the current situation , on what is happening, as we were talking about with the reverend, on the pain that Chileans have and that obviously they can contact not only through the work that is done in the prisons of our country, as was highlighted, but it is also a matter of traveling around Chile, and I have to travel the country and find many, many, many churches. We were just remembering back in the summer when the forest fires happened , many churches in the evangelical world ended up reduced to ashes in an area where one says, "Well, how can there be so many churches?" This is the faith that motivates Chileans. Approximately 4,000 people in our country identify as evangelical, and that's why it's important for those Chileans. That's why we, as the country's public television network, are here to bring this thanksgiving service to their homes, where we will pray for the country as it begins many festivities that we will have this week. There is also, obviously, the opening of the food stalls during the next weekend, but we are paying attention because the President of the Republic, José Antonio Cas, will be arriving here to lead his first national thanksgiving service. Next week he will be with Cardinal Fernando Chomalí at the Cathedral Church, in the Catholic Church, also listening to the message that the Catholic world will deliver to our country. But today the republican ceremonies begin. We're going to see the President of the Republic, and he'll be wearing the presidential sash. It must be said that in other parades, in other protocol ceremonies, this element, which is the highest honor of a Chilean, obviously, is not used. And practically since March 11th when he took office, right? We see President José Antonio Casas with the Ojigin badge, with the presidential sash, which is what we are going to see in the next few minutes, because the president is already approaching, he is going to receive the honors, obviously from the armed forces that traditionally accompany these ceremonies and to which the evangelical chaplaincies have also been integrated over the years in each of the departments, even on the high seas when sailing, when the navy has to sail and has missions in the oceans, there is also the possibility and respect that Catholic and evangelical worship can obviously be maintained in our country. There is full integration, as the pastor we were talking to at the beginning of this ceremony said, but it is very important to always highlight this through television because of what it means for the people who are in the most remote parts of Chile. I think of the Bio Bio region , the Ñuble region, the Araucanía region, and so many other places where the evangelical world is tremendously powerful. They are following us there at this time, obviously in this broadcast that will last about 2 hours, at 11 in the morning it should begin with the national anthem and then we will listen to the religious service where the messages that will be broadcast to the rest of the country will be delivered. There is the President of the Republic, José Antonio Cas, receiving the formal greeting from the armed forces, obviously before reviewing the troops here in the Central Station district . on a day that, it must be said, has been beautiful, ah, a very spring-like day. We are obviously saying goodbye to winter here in Santiago, so it is a very, very pleasant day for this religious service. We also see there the first lady of our country, Mrs. María Pírizola, who will obviously accompany the president and be in the main seat. Let's listen to what's being said in this place. Honors to His Excellency the President of the Republic of the right. Look to the right. Attention. present. [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music ] [music] [music] [music] [music] The President of the Republic, José Antonio Cas, is already at JBH40. You see him there finishing this review of the troops accompanied by General Sebastián García Guidogo, who will also be a major figure in all the republican ceremonies. He will have to request, among other things, permission to start the grand military parade on September 19th. Together they inspected the troops this morning. We will now hear President Cast's greeting. Honorary distinction to the man. Rest of honor. Good morning. [shout] [ovation] of honor aon. 11:01 a.m. President CAS is there greeted by Ambassador Óscar Fuentes, the director of protocol of the presidency of the Republic and is obviously receiving the protocol greetings of those who will be the protagonists of this day. We were talking very early with Hector Cerda, who is the ruling pastor of the evangelical church. And also with him is Hector Cancino, the high representative of the evangelical churches, who will deliver the main message of this ceremony at about 12:30 in the day, which is when the Evangelical Church traditionally enters into the current situation of our country. That's why we're going to be very attentive to see what the message is, what word they want to convey, and also, obviously, the reaction this produces in the political world. All the authorities of our country are present, but of course we will also have at the end the voice and opinion of President José Antonio Casas, who for the first time will lead this religious service and also kick off the national festivities in our country. It's impressive what the president is about to experience when he crosses the threshold of this door and sees more than 5,000 people who are already inside the temple waiting to begin this religious service that should last for at least 2 hours, the next 2 hours with obviously singing, greetings, and the words of various pastors and bishops who will speak inside the Evangelical Cathedral here in the Historic JB40 in the commune [music] In a few minutes, His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. José Antonio Castro Ris, will be accompanied by the First Lady [music] of the nation, Mrs. María Pía Adriana. [music] This meeting, in this meeting [sing] ales [music] together for the [sing] glory, [music] glory, glory, [music] glory, [sing] glory, glory, glory glory [music][sing] to our God. [music] during [music] the day that the hand of the [music] Lord passed by, the hand of the Lord saved them from many [music] evils. Glory, [music] [singing] glory, glory, glory, glory, glory , glory, [music] the glory [singing] to our God. Well [music] until it helped us [music][song] and will always provide and will always [music] provide [song] with gratitude [music] pleasure and love to [song] glory glory. [music] Glory, glory, [singing] glory, glory, [music] glory. Glory [song] to our God. [music] God saves other souls. [song] Wake her up, [music] Lord. Wake her up, Lord. [music] Listen to our [song] blessing. Glory, glory, [music] glory, glory, [singing] glory, glory, [music] glory. Glory to our [music] God. [song] [music] God saves other [music] souls. [music] Wake her up, Lord. Wake her up, Lord. [music] Hear [song] our plea. [music] Glory, glory, [music] glory, [song] glory, glory, [music][song] glory. Glory to our God. [music] [music] May God be magnified [singing] in this meeting. [music] In this [song] joyful meeting [music] together now with the glory [music][song] glory glory glory glory glory glory [music][song] glory glory our God [music] during [music] the day [song] that the hand [music] of the Lord passed, the hand of the Lord [music] from many evils [song] saved us. Glory glory [music] glory glia glory [song] glory [music] glory the glory [song] our [music] God. [snort] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] Sir. [applause] [applause] Good morning. We will begin this solemn national thanksgiving service in 2026 as part of our country's 16th anniversary. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. And we will do so by singing the national anthem, directed by the general director of the polyphonic choir, Iván Quiñones Estobar, and performed by the United Choirs of the Evangelical Cathedral of Chile. [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] and your [song] of [music] [song] bread bride [music] mountain gave for [song] the Lord. [music] teo porarte al Señor. That bad [music] you don't [singing] go away, he promises. It is forgiveness [music] and that [song] that path that [music] no sweet sir. [music] receive [music] with [music] [song] [music] all the cumpa will be [song] of the free so [music] with God and the tomb will be [song] of you. [music] never [music] [song] will be but [music] been against the [music] against the [music] against the [music] Long live Chile. Standing here, I invite you to pray for our country, to our beloved Heavenly Father in this very special act, to pray for our homeland so that God may continue to hold it in His hands. and that he may lead this service and that this morning we may be greatly blessed by his presence. This prayer is led by Pastor Julio Menéndez Chávez, vice president of the national evangelical platform from the Bío Bío region. Let us bow our heads, let us bow our hearts. Our Lord and eternal God, with reverence and humility we approach your presence today, acknowledging that you are God, that you are worthy of all honor, all glory and all praise. Your word, Lord, invites us to enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise. That is why , at this hour, we come before you with grateful hearts. We acknowledge your loyalty. We acknowledge that your mercy and we acknowledge that your goodness have accompanied us and remain forever. Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us to gather together for this solemn national service of thanksgiving. Thank you for the gift of life, for the opportunity to meet in a country that mostly believes in you, and for this moment in which we can stop our activities and, together with our civil, military, and ecclesiastical authorities, we can turn our gaze towards you, from whom all things come. As we begin, Lord, this solemn service before you, we also want, Lord, to place our hearts. Lord, flood us with your presence. Our hearts are deeply grateful, but they are also in need of you every day. Take away from us all distractions, all worries, and everything that could prevent us from hearing your voice through your word, which today will be a prophetic voice for your people. Give us a reverent spirit, a sensitive heart, and a sincere willingness to worship you. May our thoughts be focused on you, and may our words be pleasing in your presence. May our songs express true worship, and may every reading of your word, every prayer, and every expression of gratitude draw us closer to you. Lord, we acknowledge that apart from you we can do nothing. That is why , Lord, we need your grace. We need your presence and your guidance in our midst. May this not be merely a solemn act or another ceremony on our calendars, but may we experience a true encounter of gratitude and worship before you, the living God. Receive, O Lord, our praise. Receive, O Lord, our gratitude. Receive, O Lord, our lives and allow that all that we do in this hour be done with reverence and sincerity for the glory of your holy name, as your word teaches us. Give to the Lord the glory of life for his name. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. To you we lift up our hearts and our voices, for yours is the kingdom, yours the power, and yours the glory forever and ever . In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. He lives blessed. Glory to His name. Listening to the Lord, to God, does not only mean hearing with our ears, but also opening our hearts to receive His truth and putting it into practice. The Lord continues to call the willing human being, the one who is willing to listen and obey. Today I invite you to sing with all your heart the congregational hymn entitled " Let humankind lend its ears," which was said to be one of the favorite hymns of the first pastor and bishop of this house, Bishop Manuel Umaña Salinas. [music] [music] [music] oano. [music] [song] [music] for [song] the Savior. [music] He always gave us [music] . [music] [song] [music] before [song] of God [music] the earth peace [music] and of grace. [song] [music] [music] Lord comfort and p. [music] [music] [music] [music] Come [singing] God who [music] suffers God who [singing] [music] where [music] this world [music] will make conquer. [music] [music] [song] height [music] [song] dance [music] [song] [music] how none [song] can give. [music] [music] [music] [music] [singing] How are you known [music] [music] [singing] only [music] sense. [music] [singing] [music] your [music] meadow in [music] Jesus to [music] the [singing] souls. This heavenly [music] [song]. [music] [music] [music] Because one always [music] [sing] Friday. [music] [song] [music] Jesus [music] immortal [song] that very close to [music] [music] life [song] on earth and heaven. [music] and the [song] of your love [music] where [music][song] the present [song] [music] and [song] another better one. [music] [music] Can anyone [music] say amen? Amen. Please take your seat. Yes sir. Yes sir. He is good. Amen. Next, to offer a few words of greeting and welcome to the authorities, special guests, and all those who are with us, we invite to this place the Reverend Pastor Héctor Cerda Gómez, ruling pastor of the Evangelical Cathedral of Chile. Amen. [applause] [applause] All honor and all glory belongs to the Lord. We give thanks to God this morning for the blessing of gathering as a Church in the Evangelical Cathedral of Chile with the authorities of our country to praise the name of our God, pray for our homeland and its leaders, and give thanks for 216 years of independent life as a nation and the freedom of worship we enjoy, achieved through the sacrifice of the first Christians who preached the gospel in our country. On behalf of the evangelical community in Chile, we extend a warm welcome to this solemn national Thanksgiving service in 2026. To His Excellency the President of the Republic of Chile, Mr. José Antonio Casas Ris. [applause] [applause] to the First Lady of the Nation, Mrs. María Pía Adrizola Barroet, [applause] President of the Senate, acting. Your Excellency Mr. Iván Moreira Barros, [applause] President of the Supreme Court of Justice, Your Excellency Mrs. Gloria Ana Chévesis Ruiz. [applause] Acting President of the Chamber of Deputies. Your Excellency, Ms. Jimena Osandón Irazabal, [applause] President of the Constitutional Court, Ms. María Pía Silva Gallinato, [applause] Ministers of State, Diplomatic Corps accredited in Chile, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Mrs., Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force , General Director of the Carabineros of Chile and Mrs., Director General of the Investigations Police of Chile and Mrs., National Director of the Gendarmerie of Chile, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces and Sir, Honorable Senators, Honorable Deputies. Undersecretaries of State, mayors, sisters and brothers, all authorities, ladies and gentlemen. We extend a special greeting to all those who participate in this service through the national television signal of Chile and through our digital platforms. May the Lord's blessing reach every home, family, and heart that joins in this service today. His word tells us in the Gospel according to Saint John, chapter 3, verse 16. And if the church helps me, we can say everything. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Amen. May the presence of the Lord fill this temple. Amen. And may every heart, through every praise, prayer, and His word, be strengthened as a nation, encouraged as a people, and blessed as children of God. And may the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be greatly exalted and glorified in this place. To him be all honor and glory from now on and forever. Amen. Welcome everyone. May God bless Chile. Amen. [applause] Now it is time for a musical performance by the polyphonic choir of the Evangelical Cathedral of Chile with the praise song Who is the King of Glory? directed by our brother director Iván Quiñones Farías. [music] [music] [music] [music] Earth is God's [music] and all its fullness. The creation is the Lord's, everything that dwells on the sea, the earth [music] that lion on the river, holy the design [music] of his greatness. Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord? instead [music] [song] holy. He will ascend the mountain of the Lord and stand in his holy place. Oh, clean [music] God today my hands. [singing] Oh, purify my heart. [music] Who [song] [music] will ascend the mountain of the Lord? [music] and [singing] will be in its holy place [music]. He will ascend the mountain [music] of the Lord and stand in his holy place [music]. [music] To God through my hands. [music] Oh, my heart [singing] purifies. Oh, [music] cleanse us [singing] with my hands [music] purify my heart. [music] [music] [music] eternal lift up our heads [music] to the Lord because the king of [music] glory will enter because the king King of glory [music][song] will come for me. [music] The King of Glory, Lord, strong and valiant. [music] He is the king of glory, [music] Lord, no more. [music] [music] Oh, my heart purifies [music] [shout] cleanses [music] by my hands. Oh, my heart [music] purification by my [music] hands. Oh, my heart purifies [music] through my hands. [music] and my heart and [music] my [music] suicide [music] is the king of glory. [music][song] Mighty and valiant Lord, [music] is the King of glory, [music] Lord, by battle the victory and [music] I will worship You, [music] I will exalt [music] His glory. Christ is king. Christ [music] is the king. Christ is the king [music] glory. [music] Lord, [applause] with much respect and gratitude for our beloved nation, we will now turn to pray for the 216 years of our nation's independent life, for its authorities, for our families and all the inhabitants of our beautiful land. I invite you to stand up, please. This prayer will be led by Bishop Luis Muset Gajardo, national chaplain of Gamería. With great respect, I invite you to bow our hands in humility to receive the manifold grace of God. Oh, Chile, God has given you unparalleled beauty of green fields, blue skies, and crystal seas. Oh, my homeland, my homeland, bless the Lord. May His grace overflow from the mountains to the sea. Sovereign God, we have gathered here today in this house, your house of prayer, together with the highest magistrates of the country, in all its fields and areas, to intercede for this beautiful land and its people, for this narrow strip of land called Chile, which knows how to rise from great disasters, earthquakes, giant fires, strong storms and pandemic vision. And we overcome every obstacle because there is faith in this land. There are men and women of prayer who cry out to you, asking for your forgiveness to receive your care, your mercy, and your kindness. This land knows how to open its doors to the foreign brother when he comes with good intentions to contribute to the pursuit of the common good. This land that cares for orphans and widows, for its elderly and for all those newborns with different abilities, that cares for the womb of the one who brings life and gives thanks for the family as the center of a supportive nation. Amen. Today, we rise up from all corners of Chile, where there is an evangelical Christian congregation. Prayer for the celebration of our national anniversary on its 216th year of existence. And even from outside the borders of our homeland, where there are well-educated Chileans who bless their nation, may this blessing also reach him, them, and their families. Oh sovereign God, we ask, like King Solomon in the biblical text, for great wisdom for our rulers, both present and future, until your coming, for with divine wisdom a nation becomes strong and receives your many blessings from on high. Sovereign God, bless our homeland, bless this beautiful nation, bless its inhabitants, bless a Chile that today prays in gratitude, asking that this be a blessing for all in the thrice-holy name of your beloved son Christ Jesus. Amen. Amen and amen. Amen. For Christ. Amen. Please take your seats. Of course . The word of the Lord, the word of God, always reminds us that God continues to speak to his people and to every person, and that it always brings much direction, hope, and life. We invited Bishop Sergio Veloso Tolosa, Vice President of the Union of Pastors of Chile, to this place to do the Bible reading. This morning I will share with you the biblical reading from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 61, between verses 1 and 4, where the word of the Lord tells us the following. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to proclaim good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted , to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. I also read in the prophet Isaiah, the same chapter 61, but between verses 10 and 11. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, he has covered me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, and as the garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Amen. We say amen to the word. Amen. And we all say again, amen. Amen. As the Lord's church, we have the privilege and responsibility to proclaim the gospel and especially to serve our society. Our mission needs God's guidance, power, and grace. Bishop Eduardo Sid Cortés, president of the expanded table, will lead us in a prayer for the church and its mission. I invite you to stand up, please. We stand in reverence before the presence of the Lord. Lord of history, of peoples and of humanity, we give thanks for the churches that approach your presence today with a heart grateful for your faithfulness, your grace and the love with which you sustain our nation. We raise our voices in prayer to intercede in a special way for the Christian churches throughout Chile, from north to south, and as a sign of the salt and light of the world that carries your message of salvation and eternal life to all the peoples and nations of the world. As a visible sign of your kingdom, which we always long to see made present, may we be faithful witnesses to your gospel and may your light not be hidden under the bushel of silence, the comfortable silence in the face of injustice and despair, but may we denounce with love where dignity is denied and serve with open hands where pain is not given a name. Therefore we pray, my God, that you strengthen your Church so that it may be a reflection of your love, truth, and hope. Grant to the congregations a spirit of unity, maturity, and eternal communion. by the bishops, pastors, and leaders who have the blessing and responsibility to guide local and national communities and congregations. Grant him wisdom, integrity, spiritual discernment, and renewed strength to fulfill his calling. May each church be a beacon of light in its neighborhoods and cities. May the work of social assistance, the comfort given to families, and the support given to those most in need continue to transform lives throughout the country. May the testimony of believers contribute to dialogue, reconciliation, social peace and the integral well-being of all the inhabitants of our nation. Amen. We place in your hands every project, every ministry, and every servant who dedicates their life daily to spreading your message in our country and abroad. May your presence always accompany and guide them. Strengthen us today so that we may be a leaven of hope in Chile and the visible path of your love. May our mission be a sign of new times and seeds of new fruits to share with generosity and, of course, dedication. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [clears throat] Amen. Next, we will have another reading from the word of the Lord, which is the foundation of our faith. It is also our source of hope and our direction for our lives. With reverence and respect, let us once again receive the reading of the Holy Scriptures by Pastor Marcela San Martín Venegas, of the National Association of Bishops and Pastors of Chile. The peace of the Lord be with the whole Church. The reading is found in Nehemiah chapter 30, chapter 2, and will continue in chapter 4. The king said to me, "What do you ask for?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven and said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it." Then the king said to me, and the queen was beside him, "How long will your journey take, and when will you return?" And it pleased the king to send me after I had indicated the time. We continue in verse 17. I said to them, therefore, you see the evil in which we are, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates consumed by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and let us no longer be in disgrace. Then I told them how the hand of my God had been gracious to me, and also the words that the king had spoken. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." Thus they put their hands to good use. But when Zambalath the Oronite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Jeshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” And in reply I said to them, "The God of heaven will prosper you, and we, his servants, will arise and build, for you have no portion, no right, and no memorial in Jerusalem." [clears throat] And the word continues there in chapter 4, verse 17. Those who built the wall, those who carried and those who loaded, with one hand they worked on the work and in the other they had the sword. We give thanks to the Lord and may the Lord grant us a bed like the heart He placed in Nehemiah. Amen. Please take your seat. [sigh] Music is always a very important part of the liturgy and the evangelical tradition, but so is love, that sublime love that goes beyond the human, that love that is generous, that is selfless, that is faithful and able to remain even in the midst of difficulties. In the Christian faith, this love finds its highest expression in God and, of course, in Jesus, who loved us first and taught us to love our neighbor. Next, we will be listening to the united choirs of the Evangelical Cathedral of Chile with the praise song "Amor sublime" directed by their general director, brother Julio Machuca González. [music] [music] of the dust [song] of the earth. You formed me [music] with your own [song] hands. Who was I [music] before you? Who was I without you? [music] It already existed in your [song] memory before time [music] your story will begin . [singing] [music] still sincere [singing] your love for [music][singing] sublime love [singing] [music] sublime love divine love [music][singing] I [music] am here to pray. I am here [music][singing] to glorify the one who lives, the evil that reigns. So [music] Almighty God, [singing] I am here to [music] thank you for your kindness and your mercy. [singing] He blesses me, [music] He protects me day by day. My life. [music] [music] [music] Laas [music] falls without answer and without exit. Jesus, [music] when I brought, [song] you loved [music] without measure. [singing] Elcho, you lifted me from the pain [music] for nothing. You came [music] and changed me. [song] you loved my [music] to [music] his divine love. [music] [singing] I am here to pray. [music] Today I am here to glorify [song] the one who lives, [music] the one whose hand reigns, the mighty God. [music] I am here to thank [music] your kindness and your mercy [music] you blessed me. [singing] day by [music] day. Be careful, my love. [music] [music] [music] He walked on [music] the fall. without exit that you did not [music] when you brought [song] you loved me and I urinated [music] [song] from the raised me [music] [song] when there was [music] more for [ music] love [ music] divine love. [singing] [music] Today I am here to worship [singing] and today I am here to glorify [music] the one we live [music] [singing] mighty God. I am here to give thanks. [music][song] Your goodness and your mercy [song] blessed me, [music] protected me day [song] by day. [music] Take care, thanks, [singing] God. [music] Thank you Jesus. You are worthy of my adoration. [singing][music] Thank you God. Oh, thank God. Thank you [music][singing] Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. You are the [music] of my adoration. [singing] [singing] [music] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you [song][music] Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. [music] It's you. [song] of worship. I am here to worship. [music] Today I am here to glorify the one who [music][song] lives, the one who reigns. We are sovereign [music] Mighty God. [singing] I am here. to thank [music] for your kindness and mercy. [singing] You blessed me, you protect me day by day. [music] Take care of my life. [song] [music] Sublime love, divine love [music]. [music] [applause] Praise the Lord. Amen. If there are words that truly express what we feel about being here, they are words of love, kindness, and mercy. We are here because of love, because of God's goodness, and I don't know if you're going to say amen. Out of mercy. Well, my dear ones, we have reached one of the central moments of this solemnity. [ovation] This people praises and worships God and gives a round of applause of adoration and praise to our Heavenly Father. We live because he lives. As I have said, we have reached the moment, a special moment which is the proclamation of the word of the Lord and the reflection that it brings for our lives, for the church and for the nation. The word of the Lord tells us in the holy gospel of Saint Luke, in chapter 11, verse 28, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. In today's exhortation of the word of the Lord, Bishop Hector Cancino del Valle, high protocol representative of the Evangelical Churches of Chile, will remain in this place. Holy is his name, he lives and reigns. Well, that's Pentecostal fervor. Amen. So God bless the evangelical church because it expresses its exaltation and worship of God in a very expressive and open way. Glory to God. I would like to take this special moment to greet His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. José Antonio C R, and also the First Lady of our nation, our distinguished Mrs. María Pía Abriazola Barroalé, I do not want to make a mistake, the distinguished Ministers of State, the representatives of the different branches of government, the select body of ambassadors in Chile, the honorable members of the Armed Forces, the Police and Security Forces, the entire body of Undersecretaries in their various disciplines and functions, the distinguished religious authorities, pastors, bishops, and ecclesiastical leaders. Brothers and sisters in Christ, citizens of our nation, of our homeland, it is a gratifying honor to be present at this national thanksgiving service, where we thank God for the 216th anniversary of our beloved Chile and to acknowledge the extraordinary, diverse, and transformative role that the Evangelical and Protestant Church eloquently plays in our national context. May God bless the Evangelical Protestant Church in this time. Amen. Today we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Every transition of government is by definition a maturity test for a democracy. But Chile today is not only experiencing a change of command or a replacement of names at the altars of public power. Our country is going through a deep storm that is shaking the very bones of our society. We look around and see a panorama that invites many to discouragement, to despondency and to be very downcast in the face of complex situations. We are facing a severe economic crisis that is hitting the pockets of the most vulnerable families. We live under the shadow of a citizen insecurity that has hijacked our public spaces. We are suffering with pain from the increase in crime and an unprecedented public violence that has penetrated even where peace should be sacred in our schools, colleges and universities. Added to this is the loss of institutional trust caused by the germ of corruption and a political and ideological polarization that fragments families, divides communities and turns the adversary into an enemy. Uncertainty seems to be the only constant, but the crisis that Chile is experiencing is not only material, it is fundamentally a crisis of confidence and meaning. It is a crisis of the national soul when violence becomes normalized in school playgrounds. When young people see transgression as a valid path, it is not simply a lack of inspectors or budget. We are facing the erosion of the most basic values ​​of human coexistence. When corruption touches the spheres of public service, the sacred pact between the State and the citizen is broken. Ideological polarization has led us to believe that the opposing side has nothing good to offer. We have entrenched ourselves in sterile dogmas, while the streets today demand answers. Pessimism has become a habit and the paradigm of the impossible has taken hold in the public debate. That is why today I want to share with you a topic called rebuilding with hope. Colon. breaking down the paradigm of the impossible. Pessimism has become the norm, and this paradigm of the impossible is constantly present in public debate. They tell us that it is impossible to eradicate drug trafficking from populations. They tell us that it is impossible to have excellent public education and peace in the classrooms again. They tell us that it is impossible to heal political wounds and return to dialogue as brothers under the same flag. An invisible wall rises up, invisible, but fierce, the paradigm of the impossible, the idea that we are condemned to decadence, fear and division. To accept that these problems are permanent is to give up. And neither the government that takes over, nor the churches that pray, nor the people who work can afford the luxury of surrender. However, the history of humanity and our own faith teach us that the deepest crises are the fertile ground for the greatest miracles. Today I invite you to look up. Today I invite you to lift up our service, not to be idle, but to believe that God will perform great miracles in our nation. We are going to travel back in time through an ancient tale, but one with an astonishingly current echo. We will follow in the footsteps of Nehemiah, a man who, through his leadership, his faith in God, and his unstoppable actions, transformed the ruin of a nation into a masterpiece of restoration and hope. Glory to God. It is in this scenario of fracture that we come to proclaim a truth that must guide the years to come. Today we are here to rebuild and not to destroy, but we want to rebuild with true hope, aiming towards the future and to finally break down the paradigm of the impossible. Alleluia. And for that, first of all, the diagnosis with eyes of truth, according to the passage of Nehemiah, chapter 2, verse 5, 13 and 17, Nehemiah was not an inhabitant of Jerusalem, of the destroyed Jerusalem, he was a high official in the palace of the king of Persia, of King Artaxerxes. He had comfort, luxury, and security, but his heart was beating. to the rhythm of the pain of his people. When he learned that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, its gates burned with fire, he did not look to the side. In Nehemiah, chapter 2, verse 5, he makes a radical decision. He asks the king, if it pleases the king, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, so that I may rebuild it. The first step to breaking down the paradigm of the impossible is to leave our comfort zone and take personal responsibility for the crisis. We cannot rebuild Chile from the sidelines, complaining on social media or isolating ourselves in our own privileges. Rebuilding requires involvement, and involvement is not just for some; it is the responsibility of all Chileans. When Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, verse 13 tells us something fundamental. And I went out at night and saw the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down. and its gates that had been consumed by fire. He did not stand idly by , nor was he swayed by optimistic and empty speeches. He went out last night to face reality head-on. To heal our country, we must first diagnose it honestly. We must acknowledge the pain of the student who is afraid to go to university because of violence, the mother who fears that her son will not return home because of crime, the entrepreneur who is suffocated by the economy, and the plight of the ordinary citizen in the face of corruption. We can't hide the sun with a finger. The cracks are truly there and they are real. But look at what Nehemiah does in verse 17. He doesn't dwell on lamenting. This is very relevant. He summons the people and tells them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and let us no longer be a disgrace. Come, let us lift up our heads and build Chile for the glory of God. Let us no longer be a disgrace, let us not be an obstacle, but builders of our nation.” Nehemiah redefines the crisis. It is no longer an unsolvable problem; now it is a collective challenge. He calls us to stop being victims of circumstances and become the architects of change. He tells us that the current state of affairs does not define our future. And that is why, secondly, there is a call and a certainty of faith, according to verses 18 and 20 of chapter 2 of Nehemiah. How does a weary, demoralized, and impoverished people respond to such an invitation? There was a great problem. Jerusalem was deserted, its walls destroyed, its gates burned with fire, no There was defense. Verse 18 gives us the answer. Then I told them how the hand of my God had been gracious to me, and also the words the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Amen. So they strengthened their hands for good. Brothers, friends, authorities, hope is contagious. When a leader, a community, or a citizen testifies that it is possible to move forward, that there is support, and that there is a greater purpose, the desert blooms. The inhabitants of Jerusalem did not see their hands empty; they saw the favor of God and the goodwill of their neighbor. Chile does not need more prophets of doom highlighting how bad things are. We need men and women who say, “Let us rise up and build.” Let them strengthen their hands for good, for honesty, for justice, and for peace. Let us rise up and build and stop proclaiming disaster after disaster. Of course, when you decide to build a wall of integrity, the enemies of rebuilding appear. Amen. In Nehemiah's case, men like Sanballat and Tobiah mocked and despised him. Glory to God. In our Chile today, skeptics, the corrupt, and the promoters of hatred and violence will also mock those who seek peace and unity. They will say we are naive, that the system will not change. But let us respond with the same courage as Nehemiah in verse 20. And I answered them again , says Nehemiah, and said, “The God of heaven will prosper us, and we, his servants, will arise and build.” The greatest support we have is this almighty God. God needs to be present, and Chile needs to keep God in mind. Amen. Our confidence does not rest on changing political ideologies or on promises from any government in power. Our ultimate trust rests in the God of heaven who loves justice, who defends the helpless, and who prospers honest work. With that certainty, the paradigm of the impossible collapses. That is why it is important to add a third element: collective work in times of danger. Verse 17 outlines it very well in chapter 4 of Nehemiah. The reconstruction was not a bed of roses. The danger of enemy attacks was constant. The crime and violence of those times loomed over the builders. What did they do? They left the tools and fled. They abandoned the work, the purpose. They were more afraid of the enemy and allowed themselves to be intimidated. Nehemiah in verse 17 of chapter 4 tells us, gives us one of the most powerful images of human and spiritual resilience. Those who built on the wall, those who carried and those who loaded. This is extraordinary. With one hand they worked on the construction, but with the other they held the sword. Wow. That's a tremendous principle. This is the key. Listen carefully, this is the key for our Chile in transition. We work on the project with one hand. We continue educating, undertaking, healing, legislating with honesty, caring for our families, building a culture of peace. We cannot stop the country's development and paralyze it out of fear. We cannot, because with the other hand we are holding the sword. In our context, the sword is not a firearm, a weapon of hate. The sword represents justice, truth, the rule of law, the firmness of our cross-cutting values, community security, freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, as well as religious freedom and equality in the active defense of our democracy, the integrity of institutions, and the safety of our classrooms and streets. It is about working without neglecting mutual protection. It's about being productive, but also about being guardians of one another. God commanded us and sent us to build and to construct and to work together. That is why, fourthly, what is established in verse 15, chapter 6 of Nehemiah is important. The victory of perseverance. Wow. Perseverance and persistence are valuable qualities when facing great challenges. The result of this unwavering faith, this honest diagnosis, this community unity, and this courageous effort under danger, is summed up in a monumental phrase that Nehemiah 6 verse 15 rightly declares. It declares, "It was finished, for the wall was completed on the 25th of the month of Elul in 52 days." Alleluia. Wow. 52 days. What seemed like a task that would take years, what the enemies considered impossible, what the ruins accumulated over decades had deemed lost, was achieved in less than two months. The philosophical question is, why? Because the people had the courage to work and because God was with them. Amen. I ask you, how many of us here still have the spirit? How many are in the mood? And how many believe that God is with you and is with me? They are very relevant. When a country decides to break down the paradigm of the impossible, the timelines for restoration are accelerated. Crises that seem eternal can give way to an era of remarkable transformation. If we decide to act with urgency, integrity, and faith, Jerusalem will regain its dignity. Its doors no longer let fear in, but justice. And in this last point, which is point five, the path of restoration related to the progression of the wall. The reconstruction led by Nehemiah was neither a chaotic event nor a declaration of good intentions. It was an orderly progression, a strategic design that transformed disaster into victory. To break the paradigm of the impossible in Chile, our leadership cannot be limited to managing the crisis. We are called to guide the nation in a profound institutional, social, but also spiritual progression. We must chart the course that will lead us firmly from the ruins of the present to the foundations of the future. I alone will present three progressions, among others, just as an example. First progression, from citizen insecurity towards peace and common well-being. The current diagnosis confronts us with a wall cracked by fear. When the country's surveys consistently reflect that more than 70% of Chileans live in constant fear of becoming victims of violent crime, we understand that the freedom of our people is under attack. Alleluia. Fear alters habits, locks families up before sunset, and paralyzes neighborhoods. Glory to God. I used to consult here in Santiago. Restaurants used to be open until quite late, but nowadays they are closing quite early. And the question is, are we afraid, something might happen? There is uncertainty in the field. The beginning of Nehemiah. Nehemiah did not ignore the people's fear of attacks from the rulers of neighboring regions. He established guards, ordered the shifts, and armed and supported the builders. There was no peace without a prior security plan. What would be our institutional path to move from this legitimate anguish towards peace and citizen well-being? The sword of the law must be wielded with absolute determination. Perhaps this requires providing our law enforcement and security forces with the necessary political, legal, and technological support to dismantle organized crime and drug trafficking. But lasting peace, listen carefully to this, is not just the absence of crime, it is the presence of well-being. Alleluia. We move towards peace when we reclaim the squares for children, when we illuminate the dark alleys of state neglect, and when injustice is brought to an end, when justice arrives on time. Security is the material foundation upon which the tranquility of the Chilean home is built. Second progression. from violence and polarization towards social peace and deliberative coexistence. Our national coexistence is suffering a worrying decline today. We have seen how public violence has crossed the threshold of the places that should be temples of knowledge, our schools and universities. Ideological polarization transformed public debate into a scenario of mutual disqualification, where the adversary is not someone with different ideas, but an enemy who must be destroyed. What does the beginning of Nehemiah tell us? When Sanballat and Tobiah tried to stop the work, because they tried to stop the work through mockery, provocation, and division, Nehemiah did not descend to their level of verbal violence. What did Nehemiah do? He responded with the dignity befitting his position and said, "I am doing a great work and I cannot go." He maintained his focus on unity and purpose. Our institutional route. The progression from violence to genuine social peace requires urgently restoring the principle of authority, especially in our school classrooms, universities, and so on. The classroom must once again become a space of merit, respect for the teacher, and the search for truth, free from violent coercion. At the same time, political leadership must move from the ideological trench towards the bridge of major national agreements. Social peace is built when legitimate differences are resolved through deliberative and respectful coexistence, where promises made and the good of the country weigh more than electoral dividends in institutions. Discredit spreads like an endemic disease. Citizens become disconnected, distrust their authorities, and the social fabric is torn apart. What does the beginning of Nehemiah teach us? Nehemiah got the people to work tirelessly because his father-in-law was beyond reproach. He himself tells us in the Scriptures that unlike previous rulers, he did not burden the people with abusive taxes, nor did he enrich himself at the expense of the State out of fear of God. Its institutional technical integrity was firmly subject to its moral authority. This is relevant. That is why our institutional path teaches us and tells us that moving from discredit to institutional trust requires an implacable policy of transparency and probity. State institutions must be transparent and accountable, where every public peso is managed with meticulousness and technical efficiency. But trust is not restored with audit laws; it requires activating the nation's moral reserve. This is where church leadership plays an irreplaceable role. Churches and faith communities are called to inject into the heart of civil society the values ​​of honesty, love of neighbor, the value of the word and respect for the truth. When the moral rectitude of spiritual leadership embraces the transparency of civil leadership, the citizenry regains faith. In other words , today the church has a tremendous responsibility to generate credibility in our nation, mainly regarding aspects of morality. Close the progression. This is the great task that lies ahead of us. It is not a passive transition, it is a determined march through these critical progressions, from insecurity to well-being, from violence to social peace, from distrust to institutional integrity. If we manage to coordinate the efforts of the governing State, the law enforcement agencies that protect, and the Church that upholds the moral pillars, we will see the paradigm of the impossible collapse sooner than skeptics imagine. Just as in the days of Jerusalem, constancy in duty and the favor of God will accelerate the timelines of our national restoration. Conclusion and call to action. Chile is in that transition. The ruins of polarization, crime, economic crisis, and the loss of values ​​in our educational centers try to tell us that the wall is destroyed forever, that there is no solution, that there is no return. But today, from the unwavering perspective of the word, I want to tell you, the paradigm of the impossible is a lie, it is a fallacy. Rebuilding hope is possible. Amen. And we will do so when perhaps we take the examples of Nehemiah, we take the work, what he did, which in some way generates a method, generates a form that can be contextualized. How? Looking at our reality with truth and without anesthesia, stepping out of comfort to say, "Send me," plunging our hands above our legitimate political differences to exclaim, "Let us rise up and build," working for development with one hand, while with the other we firmly defend the justice and security of our nation. Let us not give in to discouragement for any reason , let this change, this change of government, not be just a transfer of human command, but a transition in the heart of every Chilean towards integrity, towards effort and towards faith. If the God of heaven is with us, he will prosper us. Amen. Let us rise up and build the Chile we dream of. A Chile free from fear, full of justice, bathed in peace and deeply rooted in the hope that it is possible to move our nation forward, because God has always been, always is and always will be with us, his children. May God bless our homeland, may God bless Chile. May God bless our authorities, may God bless the church. Only I, glory, only to God be the glory. Amen. Thank you so much. [applause] Praise, praise be to the Lord. How many say amen? Amen. Amen. We give thanks to the Lord. I invite you to stand up , please. The time has come to give thanks for this beautiful word that the Lord has given us today. A word of faith, of hope, and a call also to be builders and constructors like Nehemiah. To thank our God for this beautiful message and reflection that the Lord has given us today, we will be led in this prayer by Pastor Daniel Anavalón Valenzuela, evangelical chaplain of the Palacio de la Moneda. Praise be to the name of the Lord. Amen. Let us pray. Lord, we honor your name on this day and as a church we approach you with thanksgiving in our hearts. Lord our God, you know all things and all things are in your hands. We thank you for this word that has been delivered by your son and we commit ourselves as a church to demolish any argument of the impossible. For you, our God, nothing is impossible. You are the God of possibilities and we, your Church, are the people of hope. Christ, hope of glory. Christ, hope of glory. We declare on this day that with your help everything is possible. In your name, Lord Jesus Christ, the chains fall away. In your name, Christ, the sick are healed. In your name, Lord Jesus Christ, lives are transformed. In your name, Lord, families are restored. From the ashes you bring life, and life in abundance. In your name, Lord Jesus Christ, we rise up and build. Help us, Lord, to see the crises that surround us as an opportunity to serve and make a difference. Help us, Lord, to work in unity and harmony amidst our differences to seek a common good. Increase our faith, Lord, and train our hands to rebuild all that is good that has been torn down. Increase our faith so that we can rise up and build with effort and sacrifice for the love of your name and for the love of our nation. Lord, we pray for the children of our country, we pray for those in residential care, and we ask that more foster families may rise up and welcome them, to love them as you have loved us. We want to be a church that builds, that contributes significantly to the well-being of our nation. We ask you, Lord, to have mercy on those evildoers who are always on the front lines criticizing, sowing seeds of discord and mocking those who want to do good. Touch the hearts of all those who have heard your word today and allow this seed to fall on good soil. We know that your word does not return to you empty. It always produces fruit and does what you want it to do, and it prospers those who receive it with faith and are willing to put it into practice. Help us, Lord, and glorify your word in our hearts. We ask all this in the glorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. And now comes something very nice that I know you all like very much, singing an emblematic anthem. Amen. As we conclude this beautiful, moving, and clear ceremony, we want to mention, first of all, the regional attendance that, for the first time at this grand national event, includes the presence of representatives from all 16 regions of our country. For the first time, from Arica to Magallanes, bishops and pastors of the full national evangelical platform. Well, now we invite the entire church and all of you, including those who are watching us through television and all digital platforms throughout our beautiful country and also in other nations. I know this for a fact, I know it for a fact, and we give thanks to the Lord for that, so that together we may sing to our beloved Lord before the end of this ceremony, that beautiful hymn, that congregational hymn which is part of the tradition of the evangelical people. Onward and upward. Amen. [music] [music] [music][singing] Amen. [music] [music] Christ to the pres [music][song] and the sign queando [music] [song] is and [song] forward strong. [music] [song] hello [music] [music] [music] to the sacred name [music] of [music] David [music] the victory Glory [music] [song] [music] of [music] forward strong of faith [music] without pardon. [music] His name [music] [music] [music] The church of God, we glorify you [music] We sing, Lord [music] We are only fire. [music] Lord, your hope [music] love and [music] great, strong faith and without hesitation [music] that Jesus, your name. [music] [music] [music][song] Crowning [music] the church we [song] [music] you enchant us. [music] Because the promise [music] will never fail. [music] Faith [music] new heart. [music] [music] [music] [applause] I ask you, are we all willing to stand firm and move forward? And we're going to do something now that you think I've forgotten, but I want us to do it, with heart and with strength. Let us give three glories to God. [ovation] Glory to God. Glory to God. Today I saw the minister there, but oh, may God bless them greatly. And before giving the final words, as instructed by the house, I would like to ask all the authorities to allow His Excellency and his wife to leave freely, and we will remain here, greeting each other, smiling, and giving thanks to the Lord for this tremendous blessing we have had today. How many say amen? Amen. Bishop Manuel Palomera Saldías, director of the National Council of Bishops and Pastors, will remain in this place for the final blessing of this solemn national thanksgiving service. May God bless you. Let us ask for the final blessing. Let us lower our faces in reverence to the Lord. Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation, before the mountains were born and you formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Oh God, we cannot forget such important words from the psalmist. We praise you, O God, for your mercy, for your protection. We pray for the magnitude of your power and infinite goodness. Place your blessing upon us. Confirm all the work of our hands. May we please you in every one of our actions, blessing our neighbor without exception. May the undeserved anointing you bestowed upon us by grace generate the much-needed understanding between us. Sovereign God, we pray for your goodness that the words of Jesus may be faithfully fulfilled in us. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Give us the blessing to love, never to belittle. Give us the honor of working for the common good and not for personal gain. Grant us the blessing to care for those most in need. Bless us in the growth of faith. As we conclude this service, we trust that every action performed was pleasing to your blessed presence. Eternal God, bless our homeland and its rulers. Amen. May peace and prosperity abound throughout our land and its inhabitants. Gracious God, bless your Church in the communion of the Holy Spirit. Authorities and congregation. May Jehovah bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Forever, all honor, all glory be to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Christ lives and reigns forever. Amen. God. [music] [music] [music] Thus concludes this evangelical ceremony here in the historic. Cathedral [music] by J that returns to the spotlight after 7 years of absence. The Te Deums of previous years, let us remember, traveled through communes such as Puente Alto, San Bernardo, San Joaquín and the commune of Las Condes. But today, September 13, 2026, JBche returns with all the [music] traditions of the evangelical world that also represent 20% of the population in our country. Bishop Hector Cancino also delivered a symbolic message, outlining what he sees as the country's priorities: insecurity, economic problems, and a lack of trust. He also spoke about the political trenches that must be overcome in our country, among other points that were central, the most important part, the message that the evangelical churches deliver today to the country and to the head of state, in addition to the [music] presidents of the other branches of government, who have also been present here in the JBche cathedral. It is also a memorable day with which the country officially begins the various ceremonies that will mark this September, where Chile celebrates 216 years of republican life. Today the Evangelical Te Deum, next week we will be there at the Cathedral Church with the ecumenical Te Deum led by Cardinal Fernando Chomalí. There will also be a gala at the municipal theater and of course the grand military parade on September 19th, next Saturday, which we anticipate will be the largest and most extensive military parade in the last 10 years due to the number of personnel already summoned for that ceremony. We are waiting for the president to leave the temple, a temple that is packed today. There are more than 5,000 people inside, all representatives of the various churches in our country who wanted to be present here, as is tradition, since 1975, when this thanksgiving service, popularly known as the evangelical Te Deum, was first held, which is always done a week before September 18. The CAS president, of course, accompanied by the high representatives of the churches, is already crossing the last stretch of this historic building in Jche, where the vibe, the good energy, and all the people who accompanied this religious service today were felt. And we will speak with the President of the Republic immediately. How are you, Mr. President? Good afternoon. This is his first time here as President of the Republic. How did you experience this ceremony? It is a moment of reflection, a spiritual moment. I thank the evangelical churches for this prayer for Chile. It is a moment to stop, to look at what our homeland is, to gather the words that propose to us of unity, of meeting in the house of all. Chile is the common homeland of all, beyond our differences. In the month of the homeland, a call for reconciliation, [music] for reunion, recovery and hope. It coincides with the diagnosis made by the bishop regarding insecurity, the economic crisis, the crisis in the soul of our country today. Today, as has been pointed out, we are going through a difficult time, but we have to get through it together. And the call to hope is what I take away most, to come together again and rebuild our nation beyond the difficulties in matters of security, employment, and housing. [music] We have been through tough times of catastrophes, but there we all are together working to move the nation forward. Mr. President, the latest topic was also discussed here in the speech about the political trenches of a Chile that is polarized today in 2026. What are you willing to do to hopefully build bridges and shake hands with people who think differently? Since I took office as president, I have stated that we seek national unity, unity among the population, unity in Congress, and I believe we have had support in all those matters that benefit our fellow citizens. What was done to provide a benefit to the children, what we have achieved in terms of reconstruction, and we are moving forward with security issues. Beyond, I reiterate, our legitimate differences, I believe we have been able to find common ground on important matters and we will continue working on them, correcting what needs correcting and listening to the recommendations that any political sector may wish to give us. President José Antonio Cas, it has been a pleasure to talk with you this morning. Thank you so much, and also for broadcasting this to the entire nation. Many thanks to each of the pastors and bishops who made this prayer for Chile possible today. See you next week at the Metropolitan Cathedral. I wish you all the best. At the military parade. Exactly. Very good. Thank you, President José Antonio Casas, participating six months after assuming command of the nation for the first time by attending the church of JBCH, JBche40 here in the commune of Estación Central, accompanied also, of course, by a good part of your cabinet, the ministers who are advising and working on the different matters, which of course are part of the pains and concerns of Chileans. The President of the Republic withdraws in this first activity, officially beginning all the ceremonies celebrating the national holidays here in Chile, in Santiago, the capital, something that is also repeated, of course, in the cities, in regions throughout our country. Then comes, for example, the opening of the food stalls, the Catholic Te Deum, and the grand military parade next weekend. President CAS bids farewell to Sebastián García Guidogo, the division general, the fifth most senior officer in the army, who will also be in charge. Presente.