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Bhutan
Nepal
p
Bra h m a
er
u tra R iv
Ga nges River
B
Politics
Bangladesh
Dhaka
India
Chittagong
Bay of Bengal
Myanmar
Bangladesh
People's Republic
of Bangladesh
Asia
Geography
Area 143,998 sq km. Occupying the delta
and floodplains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra
Rivers, with high rainfall and frequent
flooding.
Population
2010
164,425,491
2020
185,552,357
2030
203,214,204
Ann Gr
1.43%
1.15%
0.83%
Density
1,142/sq km
1,289/sq km
1,411/sq km
Capital Dhaka 5,334,000. Other major city:
Chittagong 2,023,000. Urbanites 28%. Pop
under 15 yrs 35%. Life expectancy 65.7 yrs.
Peoples
All ethnic groups/cultures/castes 399.
Muslims and Hindus have distinct cultures and
dialects.
Bengali 94.3%. 136 peoples. Shaikh 85.6%; Namasudra
2.1%; Kayastha 1.2%; Rajbansi 1.0%.
Urdu Muslims 2.0%. 35 peoples. Ansari 0.8%; Sayyid
0.7%; Bihari Muslim 0.2%.
Other South Asian 2.6%. 180 peoples, including
from the following people clusters: Hindi(65 peoples);
Munda-Santal(10); Oriya(23); Punjab(19); Rajastan(16);
Tamil.
Other 1.1%. Including 46 Tibetan/Himalayan peoples,
other Asians, Westerners, etc.
Literacy 47.5%. Official language Bangla;
English also used. All languages 42.
Economy
Among the world’s poorest nations, suffering from
gross over-population and periodic natural disasters
such as devastating floods and cyclones with
enormous loss of life and property. Poverty is
endemic and seems impossible to overcome entirely,
but some progress is being made. Major sources of
income are agriculture, textiles, clothing, jute and
funds sent home from Bangladeshis working abroad.
94
Nearly half of the population lives on less than $1/
day. HDI Rank 146th/182. Public debt 39% of
GDP Income/person $431 (1% of USA).
.
Bangladesh
Part of Pakistan for 24 years. Independence in 1971
after a bitter civil war. Political instability thereafter
with assassinations, 18 military coups and a nine
year military dictatorship which ended in 1991.
One of the Islamic world’s only democracies is
rendered ineffective by unrest and a bitter personal
animosity between the two women who have led
the two main political parties. The military and
Islamist groups remain influential and ready to pick
up the pieces should the state fail. Often rated as the
world’s most corrupt nation.
Religion
A secular state 1971-88. Islam became the state
religion in 1988. Officially there is religious freedom,
but this is being steadily eroded by Islamist pressure
and a legal system which gives no safeguards to ethnic
or religious minorities. Islamists are a strong and
growing minority.
Religions
Muslim
Hindu
Christian
Buddhist
Animist
Non-religious
Sikh
Baha'i
Pop% Population
89.01 146,355,130
9.10 14,962,720
0.66
1,085,208
0.60
986,553
0.49
805,685
0.11
180,868
0.02
32,885
0.01
16,443
Ann Gr
1.5%
0.4%
3.1%
1.4%
0.2%
3.4%
1.4%
1.4%
Christians Denoms
Pop% Affiliates Ann Gr
Protestant
23
0.21 347,000
3.4%
Independent
21
0.26 435,000
3.7%
Catholic
1
0.19 311,000
1.9%
Included are tens of thousands of Jesus followers who have
not left their culturally Muslim identities.
Church
MegaBloc Congs Members Affiliates
Catholic Church
C
85 170,879
311,000
Muslim followers of Jesus I
330
33,000
132,000
Talitha Koumi
I
919
45,935
71,200
Church of the Nazarene P
800
27,000
45,000
Bangladesh Bapt Sangha P
335
18,000
39,000
Seventh-day Adventist P
137
28,800
38,880
Free Christian Churches P
321
18,300
38,500
All One in Christ Fell I
168
13,400
33,500
Bangladesh Bapt Ch Fell P
400
13,156
32,100
Garo Baptist Union
P
148
11,718
26,600
Methodist Church
P
319
18,500
24,605
New Apostolic Church I
57
11,400
22,800
Assemblies of God
P
108
7,483
22,000
New Covenant Church I
57
6,821
19,100
Church of Bangladesh P
67
6,084
17,400
Free Baptist Ch (New Life) I
186
4,655
15,500
Evang Christian Ch
I
46
6,025
14,700
Other denominations [32] 1,595 100,631
189,727
Total Christians [47]
6,078
Operation World
541,787 1,093,612
Trans Bloc
Evangelical
Charismatic
Pentecostal
Pop%
0.4
0.2
0.0
Population
632,067
340,899
36,948
Ann Gr
3.6%
4.0%
5.1%
Religions (%)
H
100
80
60
M
X
60 80 2000
● Evang
■ Charis
◆ Pente
40
20
1900 20 40
Trans-Bloc Groups (%)
0
25
● ●
●
●
● ●
●
●
●
●
■
■
■
■
●
0.4
0.3
■ 0.2
0.1
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Answers to Prayer
in
fight against poverty
made. The
NGOs
. Progress havethe in progressimmeasurably tohasthebeenBangladesh is thousands ofalong of
operating
contributed
this, and
the furthest
all South Asian nations
toward meeting
UN Millennium Development Goals
for 2015, which focus on poverty reduction, education, etc. Micro-credit has been the flagship
strategy for this progress.
is encouraging growth among believers, both
of conventional
3 ThereChrist-followers who remain increasing, especially insideofand outside backgroundbut
church structures. Churches are
indigenous denominations,
numbers of
in the traditional structures their faith
are
also growing.
Challenges for Prayer
The cycle
will keep perpetuating itself
. of desperateof poverty Pray for long term and deep leveluntil some seriousinchanges occur
on a fundamental level.
transformation the following
areas
need:
a) The economy is sorely underdeveloped. Bangladesh has little infrastructure, very few natural
resources, and therefore few ways of making an income. Most people work in agriculture or
textiles for scandalously low wages. The majority of Bangladeshis live in gripping poverty,
with a very small wealthy minority.
b) A solid social foundation for progress is lacking. Education levels are low (but improving),
and overpopulation creates many problems in a nation already sorely lacking in land,
resources and employment opportunities. Women have been the spine of the micro-credit
success (80% of households participate in benefits from micro-credit), yet often suffer
undignified and inequitable treatment.
c) A frightening vulnerability to changes in climate and economy. With such widespread
poverty, a large proportion of inadequate income is spent on food. Significant rises in food
prices have a devastating effect, but not as devastating as the effect of flooding from swollen
rivers and monsoons. With alarming regularity the nation is made to endure tragic loss of
life and property.
political situation
for significant change, and seems a venue
3 Themajority.between two offers little hopelip rather thanWestern idealsimprove thesecure
for feuding
mega-wealthy clans
a means to
lot of
the poor
Many see democracy as merely service to
in order to
aid. Corruption is endemic and deeply rooted. Pray for governance that is just, transparent and
effective at assisting those in need and at thwarting those seeking to gain at the expense of the
nation.
minority,
$ Religious discrimination andtotensiona is rising. Islamists, while a smallBuddhists
are exerting increasing pressure govern the nation by shari’a principles. Minority
groups, even Muslim ones, find themselves in vulnerable position. Christians,
and especially Hindus suffer as persecution intensifies, occasionally to the point of
destruction of property and sometimes even loss of life. Forced reconversion to Islam is
an increasing threat. Since independence, the percent of the population comprising
minority sections of society has been reduced by more than half. Pray for the binding of
the powers of darkness operating in the religious, social and ethnic realms. Pray also that
Bangladesh
February 24-26
95
B
constitutional freedom for all to practise and propagate their own religions might be
maintained.
churches
been growing faster than
/ The specificallyhave tribal churches. Significant the population rate for the last 50 years.
Pray
for:
The people-movement
church growth
B a) occurred among the following peoples: Santal, Munda, Khasi, Garo,(>10% evangelical) has
Maramei, Ralte, Mizo,
b)
c)
Poi. Another 18 groups have greater than 5% evangelicals with multiplying churches. Pray
that these churches may become strong and full of vision for mission.
The churches among sections of the Hindu population. The majority of indigenous
believers has traditionally been from a Hindu background, and usually from the less
populous and lower caste peoples. The ill-treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh has made
them more amenable to the gospel.
Believers from a Muslim background. There are tens of thousands who now call on Jesus as
Lord, but a wider breakthrough awaits. Some have found Christ through highly contextualized
“Jesus mosques”, others through relational networks, even visions and dreams. Pray for these
fledgling movements with such staggering potential to grow, spread and mature.
The Church has many needs, the greatest of which is spiritual awakening. Pray that
the Holy Spirit may move in these areas:
Nominal Christianity. Early people movements brought thousands from marginalized
sections of society into the Church. Poverty, illiteracy and lack of trained and godly
leadership have led to shallowness and nominalism.
Unity. Imported and indigenous divisions have hindered the church’s witness to other faiths
and make it easier to legislate against and intimidate Christians. Pray for the National Christian
Fellowship of Bangladesh as it seeks to encourage evangelical unity and cooperative action in
evangelism, teaching and aid programmes.
Outreach. After years of little interest, there is growing involvement in reaching out to
others. Once this occurs, it will be a major transition in the national Church.
Finance. Christians generally come from lower classes and castes, which, along with belonging
to a minority faith, limits their employment opportunities. This can create a situation of
perpetual dependence on foreign aid. Many national Christian workers are drawn by the
much-needed salary more than the desire to serve. Pray for means by which believers and
churches can be self-sustaining.
1
a)
b)
c)
d)
Leadership for the churches much
Many
minister in
4also full-time theological students.islack offorneeded.preventspastorsonlymethods addition to
holding down a full-time job. A
resources
not
full-time ministers,
but
Pray
creative and responsible
of offering
relevant instruction. Spiritually mature lay leaders are also in short supply; pray for both renewal
and training opportunities.
a) The College of Christian Theology Bangladesh and the Christian Discipleship Centre
are key interdenominational residential schools. The CCTB and CDC also run TEE and
short-term programmes, which are of great strategic importance.
b) Denominational Bible schools and seminaries are also important in Bangladesh (AoG,
GFA, ABWE, Free Baptist, Anglican, Adventist, Lutheran and Church of Bangladesh).
c) Indigenous Bible schools offer training in local community outreach, tailored to the needs
of Muslim followers of Jesus.
are over 20,000 registered
meet the land’s deep
2 TheremillionsIndigenous secular NGOsNGOsaswhich have multiplied tosignificantly(BRAC) is
social needs.
such the Grameen Bank have
improved
the lives of
of the poor. The Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee
the world’s largest NGO (2009), a status accompanied by both large-scale success in development
work and growing criticism as a “2nd government” with too little accountability. Christian NGOs
have administered aid since independence and, during the nation’s frequent natural calamities, have
been generous and impartial. HEED, World Vision, World Concern and others seek to uphold
Christian values and prepare the way for local church and mission involvement. Tearfund seconds
workers and helps in funding projects and in research.
people are by
largest
the
numbering around
(inBengalithe globally.Thefartothemajorityunreached people in wentworld,missionary.Although
240 million
large
live in Bangladesh and India, but large communities
live Britain,
US, etc. It was the Bengali that William Carey
as a
they revere Carey’s memory, the great breakthrough has still not come after 200 years. There are
signs of the trickle becoming a flood, however. Pray specifically for:
96
Bangladesh
Operation World
a) Muslims, who number over 140 million in Bangladesh alone. The Bengalis are claimed
as Islam’s greatest missionary success. But the majority follow ‘folk’ Islam — a blend of
Sufi-influenced Islam, indigenous culture and Hinduism. Pray for:
i Openness to the gospel — the vast majority have never heard the true gospel.
ii More workers — given their population, the numbers committed to reaching them are
pitifully few. There are perhaps only four Protestant missionaries for every one million
Bengalis. Pray for a surge in Kingdom workers committed to the evangelization of
Bengalis.
iii Those who have responded — many have remained in their cultural/religious context
while committing their lives to Jesus. Pray for the nurturing of these followers; pray for
leaders who model biblical values and lifestyles, for God-honouring worship patterns
and for cultural relevance without compromise of biblical truth. There is often great
social and family pressure to renounce Christ, as well as opposition from some Islamic
leaders. Pray that new believers may learn dependence on God in poverty, firmness
under persecution, evangelistic vision and unity with other established Christian
communities from differing cultural backgrounds.
b) The Hindus who feel increasingly vulnerable as a religious minority — there have been
many incidents of violence and persecution against them. Pray for this to spark openness to
Jesus. Some followers of Jesus remain within the Hindu context and do not link up with
“foreign” Christian bodies. There are 228 Hindu people groups and/or castes, of which
204 are classified as “least reached/unreached”. Only among 14 groups has there been any
significant response. The upper castes have remained resistant to the gospel.
tribal
existence is
as the Bengali
, Thefromfurtherpeoples’ verytheirtribal lands.threatenedcultureofare underpopulation explosion
pushes
into traditional
Several peoples the Chittagong Hill Tracts are
suffering
this slow squeeze;
lands and even their
threat as Islamization
accompanies Bengalization. Pray for a just settlement; the granting of limited autonomy to the
region has not improved the situation much. Pray also for Christian agencies seeking to bring the
tribal peoples to Christ (ABMS, ABWE, BMS, GFA, IMB-SBC, Presbyterians and Lutherans).
Some are almost entirely unreached while others have large Christian populations.
" Other unreached groups:
a) Bihari Muslims (Urdu-speaking) are unwanted by Pakistan and stigmatized as traitors in
Bangladesh for their role in the 1971 war. Most still live in the dozens of former refugee
camps. Pray for reconciliation with the Bengali people. Pray for a development plan for
them, for Christian workers and for openness to the gospel.
b) Rohingya Muslims. As many as 250,000 of them have fled persecution from the Buddhist
Burmese government. Huddled into refugee camps and often subject to forced repatriation,
they have never been evangelized. Pray for those seeking openings to reach them.
valuable
with
social uplift programmes,
0 Mission agencies have played aand aidaspectrolestill nottheirfor the following: that will
hence the emphasis on institutions
programmes. Pray
is
occurring on a level
a) Evangelism and church planting. This core
see the entire nation reached. Blatant proselytism is not tolerated but friendship evangelism
is effective. Increasingly strict limitations have been placed on missionaries; some believe
expatriate mission work may eventually be squeezed out altogether, especially if Islamists
have their way.
b) Development/aid, another area of rightful focus and one which bears good fruit. ABWE,
AoG, ELCA, Mennonite Central Committee, The Leprosy Mission, Interserve, SIM, OM
and YWAM are just a few of the many ministries providing much needed assistance for the
millions who suffer whilst building good relationships with local governments.
c) At risk people. Child labourers and sex workers are forced into involuntary servitude in
tragically high numbers (hundreds of thousands and millions respectively). Gripping poverty
and rampant corruption contribute to these structures of sin and create a living hell with no
easy way out. Agencies such as CMS, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Compassion,
and Tearfund minister into these situations.
d) Business ventures started and run by Christians provide another avenue for serving those in
need. Entrepreneurs and investors are currently welcomed by this country.
# Other Christian media are important when so much of the population is illiterate. Pray
for effective outreach through:
Bangladesh
February 24-26
97
B
B
a) Radio. Christian broadcasters (mostly TWR, GFA, FEBA, Adventists) transmit over 500
hours a week over shortwave in Bengali, Burmese, English, Hindi and a host of other tribal
languages. Pray especially for the production of suitable and sufficient programmes for the
non-Christian majority.
b) The JESUS film has been used among Hindus and Muslims with good response. It is
completed in Bangla, Sylheti, Assamese and 15 other languages. Pray for the spiritual growth
of new believers coming to Christ through the JESUS film.
c) Audio ministry. GRN has a staggering 91 languages and dialects with audio resources. The
HELP (Health, Education and Leadership Programme) audio series prepares young people
to serve God and their country.
98
Bangladesh
Operation World
that no change of system, either political or
economic, is on the cards. All political opposition
is illegal, despite increasing dissident activity.
United States
Gulf of
Mexico
Bahamas
Havana
C
Religion
Cuba
Mexico
Cayman Islands
Jamaica
Honduras
Haiti
Caribbean Sea
Cuba
Republic of Cuba
Latin America
Geography
Area 110,861 sq km. The largest island in the
Caribbean.
Population
2010
11,204,351
2020
11,193,470
2030
11,019,440
Ann Gr
0.02%
-0.04%
-0.23%
Density
101/sq km
101/sq km
99/sq km
Capital Havana 2,162,000. Urbanites 76%. Pop
under 15 yrs 19%. Life expectancy 78.5 yrs.
Peoples
Hispanic 99%. Mulatto 51%; White 37%; Black 11%.
Racial lines are extremely blurred; most likely the black
population is higher than given.
Other 1%. Haitian, Indo-Pakistani, Chinese, Russian,
Palestinian.
Literacy 99.8%. Official language Spanish.
All languages 2.
Economy
Sugar, along with the rest of the economy, collapsed
with the Soviet meltdown as aid and subsidies dried
up. The US trade embargo, devastating hurricanes,
repressive centralized socialist planning, corruption
and poor productivity hamper progress. Lack of
many essentials (including food) still affects the
country, yet there is a high standard in literacy,
education and health. Tourism is becoming more
and more economically important. HDI Rank
.
51st/182. Public debt 35% of GDP
Politics
Religions
Christian
Non-religious
Animist
Hindu
Chinese
Other
Pop%
56.53
25.01
18.00
0.14
0.14
0.18
Population
6,333,820
2,802,208
2,016,783
15,686
15,686
20,127
Ann Gr
0.8%
-1.9%
0.6%
1.5%
0.0%
-1.1%
Christians Denoms Pop% Affiliates
Protestant 5.66 634,000
37 1.76 197,000
Independent 0.12
17 14,000
Anglican 48.37 5,420,000
1 0.08
Catholic 10,000
1 1.16 130,000
Orthodox 1.6 176,000
1 -2.19 -245,000
Marginal
1
Unaffiliated
Doubly affiliated
Ann Gr
4.3%
4.3%
7.0%
0.5%
3.5%
0.9%
-0.3%
0.0%
Church Congs Members Affiliates
MegaBloc 808 3,474,359 5,420,000
Catholic Ch 4,500 110,000
C 169,000
Assemblies of God 2,906
P 93,000
Jehovah’s Witnesses 130,200
M 2,300
Bapt Conv of Eastern C P 36,452
Evang Pentecostal Ch I 113,000
Methodist Ch of C 306
P 55,000
Bapt Conv of Western C P 110,000
Los Pinos Nuevos 533
P 16,000
Christian Pentecostal Ch I 60,000
Seventh-day Adventist P 1,118
Presbyterian Reformed P 19,000
Pentecostal Holiness Ch P 45,600
Ch of God (Cleveland) P 250
Other denominations [44] 27,000
45,090
600
18,000
45,000
262
25,100
33,000
270
8,100
19,550
257
18,000
19,000
65
4,100
14,637
2,181
83,615
126,817
Total Christians [58] 16,410 3,992,621 6,159,894
Trans Bloc
Evangelical
Charismatic
Pentecostal
Pop%
8.8
7.2
3.6
Religions (%)
Independent from Spain in 1898. Castro’s revolu-
tion brought Communism to power in 1959,
replacing a corrupt and venal regime.After decades
of exporting revolution to Latin America and
Africa, Cuba is among the last protagonists of
Communism. Fidel Castro and his brother, Raúl,
along with those connected to the regime, ensure
138
Strict control of all church activities and repression of
religious freedom in earlier years of Communist rule,
but since 1990 the degree of pressure has lessened.A
“secular” rather than atheist state, discrimination
against Christians is illegal. But discrimination and
harassment continue as the growing churches are
often perceived as a threat to the regime’s stability.
Cuba
100
80
N
60
E
40
C
20
X
1900 20 40
60 80 2000
0
25
Population
980,552
805,675
402,688
Ann Gr
3.3%
3.6%
3.4%
Trans-Bloc Groups (%) 10
● Evang
■ Charis
◆ Pente
●
● ■
● ■
● ■
8
6
4
◆
● ■
●
◆
● ● ● ● ●
2
■ ◆ ◆
◆
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Operation World
Answers to Prayer
Church
The
the
. The Church. has continued tonomultiply at impressive rates. for agrowth of and
1990s has continued and shows
signs of stopping. Praise God
dynamic
expanding
Opposition and hostility toward the
refined it, causing believers to
3encouraging unityupon God, strengthening Church haslife (individually and corporately) C
depend radically
their prayer
and
of the Body of Christ.
Numerical growth is accompanied by increased maturity and confidence. The
$ church is“Cuban-ness”minister infaith. and bold ways, and members see no conflict
beginning to
innovative
between their
and their
Challenges for Prayer
a
. Cuba.faceslastdifficultoffuture. Pray forinthe following needs:
a) Political This
bastion Communism the West defies fundamental change through
the continued influence of Fidel Castro, his brother, Raúl Castro, President since 2008, and
“old guard” Party leadership. Pray for their salvation and for wise leadership that governs in
the best interests of the people.
b) Economics. The current model is simply unsustainable in the long term, despite huge
assistance from Venezuela, China and Bolivia. While the Castro family sits on a personal
fortune, endemic poverty has led to a thriving black market where crime, drugs and
prostitution are widespread. Black and mulatto Cubans suffer greater deprivation with
fewer opportunities than whites. Only Haiti and the Dominican Republic are poorer in
the Caribbean region. Pray for sensible reforms, economic freedom and that structural sins
might be overcome by good.
c) Demographic. Cuba has a top-heavy population, with large and increasing numbers of aged
with too few in the younger generation to support them.This demographic time bomb will
place further stress on an already fragile economy.
d) Ideological. The wounds inflicted by Marxism need healing. More than 500,000 have been
imprisoned for ideological reasons, and over one million have become ideological or
economic refugees, many in Florida, US. Both the US and Cuba have used refugees as
another weapon of war. Pray that forgiveness might abound between all Cubans and that
relations might improve between Cuba and the wider world.
default religion before the revolution. Although the majority still
3 Catholicism was thehugeand Afro-Cubanchurch arebegins. Less than 10% itfrequent mass.
confess Catholicism,
swathes of the
rife with syncretism; is often hard
to tell where Catholicism ends
spiritism
Priests and nuns are less than half the pre-revolutionary numbers. However, the Catholic
Church is experiencing something of a comeback after some very difficult decades. True
believers are few but growing in number within Catholicism. Pray for the Catholic Church,
that it might be purified, revived and established as a place where millions will find Jesus.
churches were devastated by
waves of emigration to the US as well
$ EvangelicalProtestants alone have morelongseveral but between 1995 and 2010. Many be
as persecution. Recovery has taken a
time,
the church is now a force to
reckoned with –
than doubled
of
the new believers are young people. Charismatic/Pentecostal groups in particular report
spectacular (albeit statistically dubious) growth. Pray that this dynamic faith community would
be a light to the nation and have a powerful transforming effect on Cuba; the potential for
positive impact is great.
of Christians,
severe in the past, still continues in the form of
/ Persecutionand discriminationmorewellthe church as a socialofmovementFollowingwhich
harassment
as
as imprisonment
leaders.
Jesus
remains a sacrificial choice as the regime fears
like that
undermined communism in Eastern Europe and China. The government has tried to strangle
Christian growth by making it nearly impossible to build new churches; the resulting
house church movement has proved even more fruitful! Further attempts to reign in the house
Cuba
April 20
139
churches have yielded much greater unity across many denominations. Infiltration by informers
has yielded more stringent membership and baptism criteria, generating more committed and
mature members. Pray for continued courage and perseverance for suffering believers.
churches remains
urgent need. Many had to
were
1 Leadership for themany are weary from an foryears ofwho stood firm andaflee ortrained
expelled following the revolution. Praise God
those
were
in the school of suffering;
long
service and need fresh vision.
C
There are now a dozen evangelical and two Catholic Bible schools or seminaries. Student
numbers are limited by government interference and a lack of both material and human
resources. TEE programmes, itinerant and visiting intensive teaching modules and hand-
couriered laptops crammed with Bible resources are creative ways of addressing this challenge.
Pray for a multiplication of visionary leadership for the churches that enables them to cope
with the growth and change.
reached:
4 The lesshas been actively supported by the government as “cultural”. Afro-Caribbean
a) Spiritism
religions under a thin veneer of Catholicism have a greater following than the 18%
attributed to spiritism. There may be more than three million devotees of Santería and other
cults which resemble Haitian voodoo; “Santería tourism” grows as increasing numbers come
on pilgrimage to Cuba. Pray that Christians may exercise love, understanding and spiritual
power to see many delivered from this satanic bondage.
b) The Indians, Chinese and Palestinians have been largely assimilated into the Hispanic
majority, but still retain much of their old culture. Little is being done to specifically reach
them.
missions are largely
to tactful support
visits from
2 Foreignthevisit to teach and trainrestrictedpermittedalltoaspects ofand aoccasionalgovernment
outside
country. A few workers are
remain in low-profile teaching
ministry; others
church leaders in
ministry.The
has blacklisted dozens of foreign organizations, one way of denying precious resources to the
national church. Pray that wise input from abroad will serve Cuba in an effective way.
are over one
illegal) living the US, mainly
(beTherethe white middlemillion Cuban refugees (legal andtheyCatholic.soindesperately. Pray
from
and upper classes and predominantly
Pray that they will
not
victims of the temptations offered by the “free” society
sought
that the Cuban diaspora will also find Christ and have a redemptive influence on their nation of
origin.
ministries for prayer:
, Christian help— the need remains urgent as church growth outstrips supply. Over one
a) Bible distribution
million copies of the Scriptures have been printed in country on the Cuban Bible Society
press, and many thousands are imported every year. A new easy-to-read Spanish Bible will
be very helpful in making the gospel more accessible to many, but it is still difficult for many
Christians to get a Bible.
b) Christian literature has been extremely hard to acquire for years and is an intense need. As
the church and its leaders grow, more materials are needed. More can now be imported,
but permission for local printing is difficult to obtain. Pray that the wide range of Spanish-
language resources would make its way into Cuba.
c) Christian radio remains an untapped potential. Although 878 hours/week are broadcast,
almost all of it is over shortwave, which is very hard to receive as shortwave radios are illegal
in Cuba. Some FM Christian radio can be picked up from other Caribbean islands. Local
Christian broadcasting is still not permitted.
d) Music is a core aspect of Cuban culture and identity.The raising up and training of Christian
musicians and worship leaders is hugely strategic. Some prominent musicians have become
believers, increasing Cuba’s exposure to the good news.
140
Cuba
April 20
South
Pacific
Ocean
Indonesia
Papua
New Guinea
Port Moresby
Coral Sea
Australia
Predominantly subsistence agricultural/fishing
economy, supplemented by cash crops (tea, coffee
and copra). Exploitation of natural resources is
increasing rapidly – oil, gas, minerals and timber.
Many problems (land compensation claims, rugged
Solomon terrain, lack of infrastructure, greedy multinational
Islands corporations, violent upheavals) complicate the wise
stewarding of the land’s rich resources. Very
dependent on trade (and aid) from Australia. High
urban unemployment, and 70% of the population
live in poverty. HDI Rank 148th/182. Public debt
32% of GDP Income/person $990 (2% of USA).
.
Bougainville
Papua New
Guinea
Independent State of
Papua New Guinea
Pacific
Geography
Area 462,840 sq km. Eastern half of New
Guinea, the second largest island in the world
with many smaller islands in the north and east
which make up the nation of Papua New Guinea
(PNG). PNG is a land of high mountains, dense
forests, lowland swamps, coral islands, torrential
rainfall, many rivers, and great biodiversity.
Population
2010
6,449,889
2020
7,602,117
2030
8,783,577
Ann Gr
1.84%
1.63%
1.37%
Density
14/sq km
16/sq km
19/sq km
Capital Port Moresby 245,000. Urbanites 13%.
Pop under 15 yrs 40%. Life expectancy 60.7 yrs.
Peoples
P
About 1,000 peoples speaking approximately 820
languages, 20% of the world’s total. Ethnically and
linguistically the world’s most complex nation,
whose cultures have been moulded by geography,
successive immigrations, sorcery, fear and warfare,
and more recently from outside by colonialism,
Christian mission and modernity.
Melanesian 98.2%. Numerous tribal groups, over half of
which are less than 2,000 in population. Largest: Enga 5.2%;
Melpa 3.3%; Huli 1.9%; Kuman 1.9%; Papuan 1.8%; Kamano
1.7%; Golin 1.6%; Sinasina 1.6%; Tolai 1.5%; Ambulas 1.1%;
North Waghi 1.1%; Benabena 1.0%; Kapau 1.0%.
Other 1.8%. Chinese, Caucasian, Polynesian, East and
Southeast Asian, West Papuan refugees.
Literacy 57.3%. Official language English,
Tok Pisin (Melanesian/English Creole) and
Motu. All languages 830. Languages with
Scriptures 11Bi 202NT 109por 222w.i.p.
512
Economy
Papua New Guinea
Politics
The northern and eastern parts (called German
New Guinea) were under German control until
World War I and the south (called British New
Guinea) was under British rule until 1901. The
latter then came under Australian rule and was
called Papua. Australia continued to administer
Papua and New Guinea until independence in
1975 when Papua New Guinea became a state
within the British Commonwealth. The nation is
governed by a democratic parliamentary system.
The 1988-98 uprising of Bougainville has proved
costly at every level, but a peace is being maintained
and the island is effectively autonomous.
Religion
Freedom of religion.Almost the entire population
has links to a Christian denomination, but the old
ethnic religions remain a powerful underlying
influence.
Religions
Christian
Animist
Non-religious
Baha'i
Buddhist
Muslim
Chinese
Christians Denoms
Protestant
57
Independent
43
Anglican
1
Catholic
1
Marginal
47
Unaffiliated
Doubly affiliated
1
Pop%
95.84
3.50
0.30
0.25
0.05
0.04
0.02
Population
6,181,574
225,746
19,350
16,125
3,225
2,580
1,290
Pop%
55.16
6.29
2.63
28.30
2.54
6.7
-5.81
Affiliates
3,558,000
406,000
170,000
1,825,000
164,000
433,000
-375,000
Ann Gr
1.8%
3.1%
1.8%
1.8%
-1.8%
7.9%
-6.1%
Ann Gr
1.6%
3.0%
0.2%
1.6%
2.2%
-2.7%
0.0%
Church
MegaBloc Congs Members Affiliates
Catholic Church
C 2,454 1,079,882 1,825,000
United Church
P 4,998 649,701 1,085,000
Evang Luth Ch of PNG P 3,340 557,143
858,000
Assemblies of God
P
925 165,000
480,000
Seventh-day Adventist P
968 268,000
348,400
Anglican Church
A
565
67,800
169,500
Gutnius Lutheran Ch P 1,069
84,444
152,000
Operation World
Christian Revival Crusade I
Foursquare Gospel Ch P
Bethel Pentecostal Tab I
Evangelical Ch of PNG P
Baptist Union (W Highl) P
Revival Centre
I
United Pentecostal Ch P
Apostolic Church
P
Indigenous Chs (NTM)P
Ch of the Nazarene
P
Evang Bible Mission P
Other denominations [130]
Doubly affiliated
2
527
1,250
297
252
316
44
130
265
243
540
580
2,660
0
58,000
77,000
44,500
29,000
34,737
17,500
44,286
30,000
22,300
15,700
14,500
231,083
0
104,400
103,000
89,000
81,500
66,000
49,000
46,500
45,000
42,370
26,700
24,650
482,131
-375,000
Trans Bloc
Evangelical
Charismatic
Pentecostal
Religions (% )
100
X
80
C
E
60
40
P
1900 20 40
Total Christians [150]
Pop%
26.7
19.4
15.8
60 80 2000
20
0
25
Population
1,721,598
1,252,803
1,018,544
Ann Gr
3.0%
3.7%
3.7%
Trans-Bloc Groups (%) 30
● Evang
■ Charis
◆ Pente
● ●
● ● 25
20
■
■
◆ 15
■ ■ ◆
■ ◆ ◆
10
●
◆
◆
●
5
◆ ◆ ◆
◆
◆
0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
●
● ●
● ●
21,494 3,506,626 5,747,351
Answers to Prayer
There is
Christian
in
result recent elections.
.are activelyincreasedthatbelievers, influenceprayerParliament as apresenceof in Parliament is
Every indication is
while most members of Parliament confess Christianity, less than
half
practicing
but the
and pastoral
encouraging.
translation has
great progress in recent years, especially with
3 Bibleand severalnationalsseenare completed translators and assistants. Over 200the increased
involvement of
in the process as
projects are
in progress
new NTs
every year!
There is a
mission vision among the PNG churches. Although economically
$ to hardship growing aware of the wide cross-culturalcounterparts, they spiritual of faith,
poorer and often less educated than their expatriate
are full
used
and well
contexts and the
warfare
that comes with mission work.
Challenges for Prayer
nation faces
just in order to prevent meltdown, never mind to over-
. Theprogress. Some many crisesgovernments involved with with courage an impending
see
groups and
PNG expect
failed state and social chaos. Pray for a government that will act
and foresight,
moral integrity and wisdom.
a) The sheer ethnic diversity and geographic isolation of most groups makes PNG
monumentally more complex for attempting to mould a single national identity. Tribal
fighting and revenge killings have been ongoing for millennia. Pray for a means to
engender a peace that surpasses a mere absence of violence and an identity that transcends
immediate tribal ties.
b) Economic development is an uphill struggle.The vast wealth of natural resources is hard to
get to, and is plundered by rapacious foreign companies and their national collaborators, an
enriched elite. The impoverished majority (>75%) suffer and survive through subsistence
farming. Corruption dissipates the majority of foreign aid and a significant amount of
national expenditure meant to help locals.
c) Accelerating urbanization has placed intensifying pressure on the job market, public utilities
and health care, ethnic relations and social stability.Violent crime in the cities is rising. The
traditional structures of village life are not present in the squatter camps, hence the attendant
social decay.
great success of
PNG
past 130 years started along
3 Thethere have been massmissions to tofinallyoverthetheOver 95%and to almost claim tothe
coast and then moved inland, reaching
to
Highlands
every tribe.
In some,
movements Christianity.
of all tribes
be
Christian. Praise God for the presence of a living, vibrant Church today. But a deeper level of
discipleship is lacking in many places. In some areas there is already disillusionment and a
turning back to traditional customs, drunkenness, gambling, cargo cults or other syncretistic
Papua New Guinea
September 10-11
513
P
groups. Revivals have occurred in many areas (e.g. East and West Sepik, New Britain, North
Solomons and Highlands areas), but more are needed to see a lasting change.
is an
scourge with HIV infection increasing at an alarming rate.
$ AIDS Africa. impending rates is a majorto a pandemic diseaseprevalence spread through
Continued spread at these
will lead
with
comparable to
sub-Saharan
Lack of awareness
challenge; the
is mostly
sexual immorality, but attributed to all kinds of superstitious causes. TSCF(IFES) and the
Baptists are just two ministries devoted to educating on the causes of AIDS, removing
the associated stigma and cultivating Biblical lifestyles so as to eradicate the infection.
and sorcery are on the rise again, and “witch
/ Witchcraftmore common,gruesomethose suspected aofreflection of thehunts” are likewisea
becoming
where
black magic are tortured into
confession and then killed.This
trend is in part
highly spiritually-
attuned culture, but also a reaction to a rapid increase in AIDS. Pray for an end to occult
activities and related violence; the existence of such problems in a 96% Christian nation
illustrates both the failure of and challenges to the church.
are many
1 Therediscipling ischallenges facing the churches: . Nominalism, syncretism and the
a) Effective
the most urgent and prevalent need
pollution of Christianity with spiritism and the occult are sadly too widespread. Culturally
appropriate ways of building up biblical faith, character, lifestyle and worldviews need to be
developed – pray for creative, insightful people and ministries to achieve this.
b) Failure to engage with Scripture. A lack of available Scripture translations and widespread
functional illiteracy generates spiritual stuntedness and vulnerability to both nominalism and
theological error. Pray for more Bible and discipleship material specifically developed for oral
learners.
c) Continued divisiveness based on ethnicity. Strong tribal ties, ancient animosities and
diversity of languages persist. These are barriers that hinder fellowship and flow of spiritual
blessing.
d) Denominational division is not as bad as in the past, but true unity and cooperation is far
from achieved.The PNG Council of Churches draws together the mainline denominations,
and the Evangelical Alliance does the same for most Protestant and many independent
groups; they are seeing good progress at the leadership level. Pray for division to be broken
down, particularly on the local congregational level.
Leadership training is a top priority. Many small Bible schools are run by churches
and missions. There are a few denominational theological colleges. The Christian
Leaders’ Training College (CLTC), with 120 full-time students and a community of 500
with an international faculty, trains leaders for churches from all over PNG and the
Solomon Islands. Churches are recognizing the value of TEE as a tool for training the many
marginally-literate rural pastors and church workers who have received minimal grounding
in the faith. Pray for:
a) Men and women called of God to full-time work as pastors, missionaries, etc. The lure of
highly paid secular jobs is strong for those with good education. The primitive, isolated
conditions of many rural areas puts off many from service, leaving believers in these areas
without good teaching or leadership.
b) Bible teachers and pastors who can impart a love of God’s Word to students and
congregations in a way that applies to the local culture and helps shape the spiritual life of
the nation.
c) Specialized urban training programmes to prepare leaders for urban ministries (CLTC
Centres in Port Moresby and Lae; Baptist Urban Pastoral Training Centre [BUPTC] in Port
Moresby); increasing urbanization makes this a strategic ministry.
d) TEE programmes, run mainly by CLTC to serve PNG and the Pacific. Over 1,000 students
enrol annually and the influence of such education is inestimable. Pray for more and better-
trained staff and for financial provision; inflation and increases in postage and air freight
threaten the ability of many rural students to enrol. Pray also for the development of more
TEE programmes in Tok Pisin developed by Melanesians with good theological education
and understanding of local spiritual needs.
4
P
vision of sending missionaries is
The indigenous PNG Missionary
2 The model wasthe DeepinSea Canoe‘90s and growing.past. CLTC runs an drawingmission
Association
formed the early
stimulated mission awareness,
on the
image and
of
movement of the
annual
514
Papua New Guinea
Operation World
mobilizing conference called Launch Out. OM has a base in PNG and many nationals have
already served on the MV Doulos and in other fields. NTM has also been instrumental in
training and sending nationals to serve cross-culturally at home and abroad. Papua (the Indonesian
side of New Guinea) is an area of particular interest as PNG natives have a potentially crucial role
in helping Papuans withstand increasing Islamization.
rich legacy of
and sacrifice, there still a large
( A land with aleadership trainingmissionary successPray for: development,is translation,
missionary presence, mostly focused on health, education,
teaching, discipling,
and support work.
a) The gospel to take a more New Guinean shape. Christianity must become more relevant
and applicable to nationals if it is to have the much-needed leavening effect that PNG
society so desperately needs.
b) Those working in building up the existing church. Discipleship and leadership training are
crucial tasks and the main challenges facing Christianity in PNG.
c) Those involved in health, education and community development programmes. The
pressures facing PNG society need addressing in a brave but loving way.
Aircraft of missionary organizations
lifeline for the work of
, ministry. Flyingmissions. Many areas are onlyare aninessential and highly dependenthigh
churches and
accessible by air
on
such
conditions are some of the worst the world with thick forests,
mountains, dense clouds and treacherous weather conditions. Besides the dangers involved in
flying, understaffing often reduces the number of flights. Pray for the flying staff of MAF (with
36 expat, 120 national workers and 14 planes), of SIL/JAARS (4 planes and 2 helicopters),
NTM (3 planes and 1 helicopter), and all who service these planes and travel in them.
The younger generation hangs in
Modernity, globalization and social
"not properly discipled. Unemploymentthe balance.all of gangs areout if of the biggest
crises could see generations of Christian heritage
but wiped
young people
are
and the snare
two
challenges. SU has a good ministry among students in high schools. TSCF(IFES) has 66
groups comprising 10,000 tertiary student members. YWAM has valuable input in youth
training and mobilization for evangelism and missions. Camps (especially at Easter) are very
significant in youth ministry.
Translation and literacy programmes and the provision
appropriate Christian
0other indigenous groups are involved in overthe gospel. SIL, ofprojects, and about 210
literature are fundamental for acculturalizing
NTM, the Bible Society
and
220 translation
languages have a NT, but only 12 or so have a complete Bible. Translation teams are definitely
needed for 160 languages and possibly for a further 250. Pray for translators, for means of
making the arduous task faster and more accurate, and for indigenous translators/language
assistants. Pray also for literacy training – the translated Word of God is useless if no one is
reading it.
prayer:
# Christian ahelp ministries for Isolation and illiteracy mean that radio is both a link to
a) Local radio is vital tool for PNG.
the outside world and a medium for learning. There are a number of stations operating
nationally or regionally. Radio Light is collecting and recording indigenous Christian music,
a particularly effective means of evangelism and teaching.
b) Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF) with 19 staff serves churches and missions
by providing two-way radio contact for those in isolated areas.
c) Christian audio resources are an effective tool for evangelism and teaching, especially for the
large numbers of rural illiterates, many of whom speak only their tribal languages. Language
Recordings (GRN) has produced materials in 650 languages and dialects, and flip charts are
effectively used in conjunction with them.
d) Christian literature. There are five main publishing groups: Christian Books Melanesia
(Brethren), Evangelical Brotherhood Church (Swiss Brethren with five bookshops), Kristen
Press (Lutheran), the interdenominational Melanesian Institute and the Bible Society. There
are Christian bookstores in most towns — including CLC with two stores and a mail order
ministry. Christian songbooks and Bible memory books have proved effective means of
learning biblical truth.
Papua New Guinea
September 10-11
515
P
Bougainville
Geography
Area 9,300 sq km. The most northerly of the
Solomon Islands but arbitrarily linked in colonial
times to PNG.
Population 230,000. About 20,000 lost their
lives in the fighting during the 1990s.Thousands
more became refugees.
Peoples
Approximately 25 Melanesian and Polynesian
peoples.
Economy
A copper mine was the source of most of the island’s
income (and of much tension with PNG) until it was
closed in 1989. Now Bougainville largely survives
through subsistence farming, although reopening
the mine is a possibility if political stability
improves. Highly dependent on Australian aid and
development.
Politics
Local opposition to incorporation in PNG at inde-
pendence in 1975 led to a war for Bougainville’s
independence in 1988. After intense fighting, a
cease-fire was finalized in 1998. In 2001 a peace deal
was signed, in 2004 a constitution was drafted, and
provincial elections were held in 2005. Effectively
autonomous, a referendum will be held post-2015
regarding complete independence.
Religion
Almost entirely Christian. Roman Catholics 83%,
United Church 8%, also Adventists, Pentecostals
and indigenous marginal sects. Many are nominal
with much syncretism.
Challenges for Prayer
for long-term peace between PNG and
decades of
. Pray forgiveness and reconciliation,PNG government Bougainville afterThere ismove
bitterness and hatred between the
and the Islanders.
still
a need for
although progress is being made. The slow
towards independence is being handled cautiously. But the reopening of the copper mine
could reopen old wounds and grievances as well.
island’s economy and
are depressed, and most of the
3 Theexisted before weremost socialorstructures by existcivilsubsistence mode. few services
that
damaged
destroyed
the
war. There is little by way of
education and healthcare, and
people economically
in
spiritual need of Bougainville is much greater than in
as the evangelical
$ Theand beginningsmall. Pentecostal churches such as FoursquarePNG,congregations)and
presence is quite
(21
are
growing
to do mission work in neighbouring Solomon Islands. Syncretism
nominalism abound. There is one CLC bookshop on the island.
P
516
Papua New Guinea
Operation World
Colombia
Ecuador
ve r
Am azon Ri
Iquitos
Brazil
in
ta
u n
Trujillo
Peru
Lima
South
Pacific
Ocean
Lake
Titicaca
Arequipa
Politics
Bolivia
Chile
Peru
Republic of Peru
Latin America
Geography
Area 1,285,216 sq km.Three main zones – dry
coastal plain in the west where most of the cities
and industry are located, high Andean plateau
which is more agricultural, and Amazon jungles
in the east.
Population
2010
29,496,120
2020
32,880,637
2030
36,005,627
Ann Gr
1.17%
1.06%
0.84%
Density
23/sq km
26/sq km
28/sq km
Capital Lima 8,445,000. Other major cities: Callao
877,000; Arequipa 785,000; Trujillo 683,000; Iquitos
371,000. Urbanites 72%. Pop under 15 yrs 31%.
Life expectancy 73.0 yrs.
Peoples
The mixing of ethnicity, cultures and languages
makes a clear breakdown difficult.
Amerindian 52.3%.
P
Highland peoples 51.1%. Quechua(33 groups) 46.8%,
including Detribalized Quechua 27.7%; Cuzco 7.3%;
Ayacucho 3.6%; Ancash(6) 3.5%; Aymara(4) 4.3%.
Lowland peoples 1.0%. 51 peoples, including 19
Amazonian groups.
Latino/Hispanic 46.3%. Mestizo 32.0%; White
Peruvian 13.5%; Afro-Peruvian(3) 0.7%.
Other 1.4%. Japanese 0.6%; Chinese 0.6%.
Literacy 87.9%. Official languages Spanish,
Quechua. All languages 92. Spanish-speakers
80.3%. Most Amerindians are Spanish-speaking
or bilingual; 16.5% of the total population speak
Quechua. Languages with Scripture 3Bi
40NT 16por 23w.i.p.
Economy
Fishing, mining, and increasingly agriculture (espe-
cially coffee) and tourism are the mainstays of an
economy which saw strong growth from 2000.
There is still much untapped potential to improve,
but corruption, a flawed tax structure, military
516
spending and especially vast economic inequalities
have held Peru back. Over 50% live in poverty and
nearly 20% in extreme poverty.There are no quick
fixes; long-term stable growth and addressing the
aforementioned problems are the way forward.
Cocaine production and ruthless oil exploitation in
the Amazon basin remain serious issues as well.
.
HDI Rank 78th/182. Public debt 24% of GDP
Income/person $3,846 (8% of USA).
Peru
Fully independent from Spain in 1824. A long
history of dictatorships and repressive military rule.
Democratic government between 1980 and 1991
was not able to reform the inequalities in society
nor deal with the corrupt judiciary and police.Two
violent, extremist and Maoist terrorist movements
brought the country to its knees in 15 years of
guerrilla warfare. Around 70,000 perished through
the terrorism or the equally cruel military reactions.
Repairs to the infrastructure will take large amounts
of time and money. President Fujimori dealt
strongly with terror and the economy, but is now
imprisoned for murderous abuse of power. Future
governments must deal wisely with poverty,
corruption, ecology and continued instability in
neighbouring lands.
Religion
Religious freedom is guaranteed in the 1978
constitution, but the Catholic Church as the
officially recognized state church receives some
degree of preferential treatment. This was used in
the past in a discriminatory manner against non-
Catholics in taxes, property, education and politics.
Religions
Pop% Population
Ann Gr
Christian
96.75 28,537,496
1.3%
Non-religious
1.48
436,543
-7.7%
Animist
1.35
398,198
2.4%
Buddhist
0.20
58,992
1.2%
Chinese
0.10
29,496
1.2%
Baha'i
0.10
29,496
1.2%
Jewish
0.02
5,899
16.2%
It is estimated that 25% of Peruvians are Christo-pagan,
believing more in animism and witchcraft than Christianity.
Christians Denoms Pop% Affiliates
Protestant 8.07 2,380,000
57 5.07 1,495,000
Independent 0.01
98 2,000
Anglican 85.43 25,200,000
1 3.98 1,175,000
Catholic 0.1
1 35,000
Marginal -5.93 -1,750,000
4
Unaffiliated
Doubly affiliated
Church Congs Members Affiliates
MegaBloc 2,769 13,846,154 25,200,000
Catholic Ch 1,591 700,000
C 880,000
Seventh-day Adventist P 1,159 266,484
Latter-day Saints (Mormon) M 485,000
Indig Pentecostal 1,877 112,613
I 375,000
IEP-Evang Ch of Peru P 2,433 121,667
365,000
Operation World
Ann Gr
3.0%
3.9%
-1.1%
0.9%
2.9%
3.8%
0.0%
Jehovah’s Witnesses
M
Israelite Ch of New Cov M
Independent Churches I
Assemblies of God
P
Christian & Miss Alliance P
Evang Pentecostal Ch of JC I
Ch of the Nazarene
P
Evang Pentecostal Ch I
Evang Miss Movement I
FAIENAP (Natv Ev)
I
U. of Baptists of S.Peru P
Assoc of Indep Pente Chs I
Ch of God of Prophecy P
Indep Baptist Church P
World Miss Movement I
Other denominations [94]
Doubly affiliated
2
1,150
1,700
1,500
2,450
510
1,020
1,020
1,049
290
525
263
240
598
400
290
5,911
0
105,105
350,000
170,000
340,000
110,000
275,000
152,695
255,000
53,000
183,000
52,000
130,000
53,000
123,490
41,958
120,000
57,500
115,000
42,609
98,000
24,800
62,000
24,000
57,600
22,727
50,000
20,000
50,000
24,000
48,000
287,164
689,860
0 -1,750,000
Trans Bloc
Evangelical
Charismatic
Pentecostal
Religions (%)
E
N
100
80
60
C
40
20
X
1900 20 40
Total Christians [161]
Pop%
10.6
8.3
4.4
60 80 2000
0
25
Population
3,112,0
2,454,8
1,299,5
Ann Gr
3.5%
3.9%
3.5%
Trans-Bloc Groups (%) 12
● Evang
■ Charis
◆ Pente
●
●
●
■
●
10
■8
■
6
● ■
◆
● ■
◆ ◆ 4
●
◆
◆
2
● ●
◆ ◆
● ● ◆ ◆
0
◆ ◆
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
28,745 16,287,476 28,501,950
Answers to Prayer
and economic progress have
the crippling of
. Socio-political notablethe bringinggrowth afterof witnessedand corruptnationthe Maoist
terror groups in Peru,
to justice
abusive
politicians from
previous regimes, and
economic
many lean years. For a
subject to
so much suffering, these are welcome and praiseworthy developments.
emergence
evangelicals as a
with. From less than
3 The1960s to moreofthan 10% inthey areforce to beinreckonedarepoliticalsignificant in1% in
the
2010, Peruvian believers
now
both
number and influence. More and more
engaged social and
issues, recognized
by the state as a force for positive change and involved in bringing the fullness of the gospel to
all peoples in Peru and beyond.
flowering of Christianity
indigenous peoples,
$ The remarkable othersand Amazonian groups. Theamong many Bible translation and
especially the Quechua
exceptional
literacy work of SIL and
played a significant part in this.
Challenges for Prayer
. Peru remains a nation facing many urgent challenges. Among them are:
a) Political stability. A stable government able to implement just and strong policies is needed
after decades of dictatorships, corruption and threats to the nation’s security (such as the
Shining Path terrorists).
b) Economic progress. Peru has greatly improved in the past decade, but vast economic disparity
and widespread poverty still hamper the nation. Further increases to the GDP and income are
little improvement if they do not assist the neediest segments of society.
c) Social change. There are still many who suffer in the aftermath of the leftist terror
groups, the death squads, and from gross racial injustice against the Amerindian minority
groups. Rapid urbanization has created a new underclass of poor migrants from rural areas.
Pray for justice and righteousness for those who have been downtrodden and oppressed.
and ruthless issues
foreign exploitation. This
3 The complex pristine environments of With oil and mining,existencemanifests itself
particularly via oil, mining and cocaine.
foreign companies are
willing to endanger
and threaten the very
of vulnerable
peoples for their own grotesque profits. With cocaine, foreign demand for an illicit drug in
turn drags poor farmers into cultivating the coca leaf for profit. Collateral damage from drug
wars and attempts to eradicate the crop, as well as massive amounts of drug money being
laundered through the country, create a complex situation with no easy solution. Pray for
Peru
September 13-14
517
P
structures of sin to be cast down, for evil to be exposed and for a godly solution to be
found.
Catholic Church
a
There has been a large loss of membership to
$ Thebetweenforeign sects,faces andcrisis. who espouse liberation Those who remain are
evangelicals,
atheism and revived Andean paganism.
polarized
the traditionalists
those
theology.The majority
of clergy are foreign. Only 5% of Catholics are regular in church attendance; many are syn-
cretistic Christo-pagans. The charismatic movements (such as the Christian Life
Movement) have had a widespread impact, but those touched have often formed autonomous
groups or joined evangelical churches. Pray for many to come to the light and liberty of the
biblical gospel.
Evangelical
dramatically since the
/millionstarted a churches have grownmayhave multipliedfour first evangelical congregation
was
century ago. Evangelicals
40-fold from 78,000 in 1960 to
3.1
in 2010. Some estimate they
number over
million. The greatest growth
was in the worst times of violence and social breakdown, as both the leftists and the army
regarded evangelicals as being each on the other side. Over 750 evangelical leaders were
martyred and some sentenced to imprisonment on trumped-up charges. Growth has been
notable in the CMA, IEP(SIM-Latin Link), CoN, and AoG but more so among the myriad
indigenous Pentecostal groups. After peace came, growth slowed. Pray for a new and deeper
work of the Holy Spirit to re-ignite the Church.
The recognition of evangelicals as a genuine religious presence and social force has
accompanying expectations and challenges. Pray for:
a) Unity. Evangelicals have become a significant source of leadership, stability, social aid and
hope since 1980. There are sharp divisions within and between some denominations,
and with recent “success” has also come pride. There are also countless new congregations
springing up with little or no wider accountability or fellowship. Pray for a national body
that will be able to bring together all the diverse groups of believers.
b) The deeper issue of discipleship. All the euphoria and self-congratulation at growth will be
for naught if believers slide into nominalism, remain immature or are picked off by cults.
Churches need to make discipleship, accountability and quality teaching priorities, but
implementation will require both great commitment and resource availability.
c) The prophetic role of the church in society. The many and widespread social ills should be
actively opposed, especially as believers’ political and social influence have grown. A poor
record in this area and unwise political allegiances have compromised the reputation of
evangelicals. There are serious issues to be tackled – societal transformation, economic
injustice, ethnic inequality, the ravages of oil exploitation and the cocaine industry, corruption,
the neglected poor, etc.
d) Ministry to the poor. Political and economic upheaval, climate change, urbanization add
pressure to years of entrenched poverty. Many Christian ministries (WVI, Food for the
Hungry, Compassion International, Agape Network, Tearfund) have also contributed to
programmes for both rural and urban slum areas.
1
P
peoples, the descendants
4 The Quechua and Aymara1975.The Quechua Churchofisthe Incas, areasemerging from
centuries of oppression, cultural deprivation, grinding poverty and isolation. Quechua was
recognized as an official language in
flourishing Christianity at
last becomes indigenized in Scriptures, structures, worship and music. Whole villages have been
turning to Christ. Pray for:
a) Millions of mountain Quechua and Aymara who are still bound by superstitions of pagan
and “Christian” origin. Massive urbanization has seen many drift into the cities; pray for
ministry to both urban and rural populations.
b) Bible translation, which has been a major factor in the Quechuan renaissance and church
growth. The Cuzco and Ayacucho languages have the whole Bible. The NT in Huaylas,
Lambayeque, Caquinte, Wana, Urarina, and Asheninka have all been completed in recent
years (UBS, SIL, IEP, SBC); several more translations are underway. Pray for the teams at
work and for the widespread use of these new resources.
c) The full reconciliation between Quechua and Spanish-speakers at the foot of the cross, and
the full integration of all ethnic groups into national Christian life.
The Lowland Amerindians have responded to
ministry of SAMS, Swiss
2relatedothers. Lately,three Lowland provinces of thetheveryAmazoninstill have theMission
and
native missionaries have become
active reaching their own
and
tribes. The
upper
highest
518
Peru
Operation World
percentage of evangelical believers in the country. A network of Amerindian churches is
developing and growing (FAIENAP) in 17 peoples. The problems they face are huge —
ecologically insensitive oil, mining and logging companies, terrorism and drug trafficking and
their very extinction as a people. Pray for the ministry to these peoples, for the training
programmes among them and for the translation projects underway. SIL, using mainly local
workers, is focused on making the NT and much of the OT available for the majority of
groups.
trained leaders is so acute
future growth
current
( A lack of are threatened. Theconfusion, falsethat bothand the influenceandpastors is
discipleship
lack of solid biblical theology amongst
apparent in the churches as doctrinal
teaching
of marginal
sects grow. A culture of autocratic leadership style hampers not only the congregation but
the potential impact of the pastors themselves. A new paradigm of leadership formation is
essential. Pray for:
a) Academic training. There are over 10 seminaries, some of which are strategic for all Latin
America. At least 20 other Bible schools are preparing workers for the ministry. Poverty and
lack of finance seriously limits the number who can receive such training.
b) TEE is a valuable alternative, but is hampered by lack of teaching personnel and materials.
SIM missionaries are involved with 700 TEE students. Segadores trains rural pastors and
potential missionaries. But even this form of learning excludes the majority, who are not
literate and tend to learn through orality and mentoring.
c) The raising up of humble and godly role-model pastors who walk with Jesus and lead by
example. Their mentoring role could have a greater effect than all the academic courses
combined.
d) Sunday school teachers and youth leaders.The majority of congregations provide no special
teaching or programmes for young people, a major deficiency that must be rectified.
missions have
difficult
especially
, Foreign bias, accusations passed throughoccasionaltimes,and culturalmissions from the US;
anti-US
of espionage,
lack of
sensitivity, the active
hostility of anthropologists regarding Amerindian groups
the widespread activities of
Mormons and JWs have not helped.The majority of the missionary effort is rightly directed to
pioneer work in the eastern jungle, Bible translation, leadership training and to the developing
of holistic ministry.
" Challenge areas for ministry:
a) Lima is Latin America’s fifth-largest city. Almost two-thirds of the population live in slums
that ring the city where abject poverty, unemployment and malnutrition are rife. The
evangelization of the sprawling slums of Lima and the nurture of churches in that difficult
environment is a challenge, although Pentecostal groups, SAMS and Latin Link (LL) are
seeing real progress. Praise God for the remarkable church growth in Lima through the work
of many foreign missions as well as many new Peruvian churches and ministries.
b) Less reached Amerindian tribal peoples. There are still a number of unreached peoples (at
least 12); their populations are often only a few hundred per group. They are very wary
of outsiders and inaccessible; reaching them is extremely sensitive work and must be
undertaken with great wisdom and patience.
c) The business/professional and upper classes.They are traditionally staunchly Catholic and
are rather isolated from most existing evangelical witness. This is changing with the work of
SIM and the influence of the emergent charismatic mega-churches.
d) Ethnic minorities. The 9,000 Gypsies are coming to Christ in significant numbers. The
nearly 200,000 Chinese have only a few established churches, and the Japanese (declining
in number) need more of a witness.
e) Street children have multiplied in number, especially in certain areas of Lima. Poverty, social
breakdown and war have led to many being abused, exploited and forced to work long hours
for a pittance. SU and others have been working in their midst.
necessary investment for
in
The future
0 Studenta ministry isina societyevangelicals amongany bright futurehere,Peru.the 900,000
generation of leaders
and the Church are being formed
but
students have lower proportion of
them than possibly any other major
section of the population. Pray for the ministry of AGEUP(IFES) and CCCI as well as SIM;
their handful of workers are inadequate to effectively impact the 50 universities and hundreds
of other higher educational institutions.
Peru
September 13-14
519
P
missions interest is
but is
“punching below its weight”.
# PeruvianNaciónes), ATOCRI,have growing Mundialstill Avivamento).(Asociaciónnumber of
Indigenous mission agencies
multiplied — such as AMEN
Misionera
Evangélica a las
IMA (Impacto
de
A wide
Western agencies have also begun sending Peruvians.The large majority still serve in Peru itself,
albeit often cross-culturally.There is a post-graduate faculty of Mission at CEMAA in Lima and
a growing number of mission training programmes run by many groups. Pray for continued
growth in the Peruvian mission sending movement.
% Christian media.
a) Radio has a wide audience, both the local Radio del Pacifico (TEAM) in Lima, and the large
international stations of HCJB and TWR with thousands of hours of broadcasting per week
in Spanish and 360 hours/week in Quechua and Aymara dialects. Satellite and internet radio
are catching on, and small local stations run by newer charismatic and Pentecostal churches
are multiplying.
b) Christian programmes on local secular channels are proving important for reaching many,
including those living in well-guarded high-rise apartments.
c) The JESUS film is in use in seven languages. Pray for progress in the translation and
production of the JESUS film in the remaining languages among the smaller, isolated
people groups who currently have little or no access to Scripture in their mother
tongue.
d) Christian literature. CLC has a bookstore and mobile ministry. SIM has launched a large
pastors’ mini-library project. EHC, the Bible Society and the Baptists are all mass-distributing
literature.
e) Audio resources have made recordings available in 60 of Peru’s languages and dialects. WBT,
Faith Comes by Hearing and other groups have helped translate and record many of these.
P
520
Peru
Operation World
Russia
Belarus
Poland
Chernobyl
Kyiv (Kiev)
Ukraine
Slovakia
Dnepropetrovs k
Hungary
Moldova
Romania
Serbia
Odessa
Kharkov
Donets k
er
iep
Dn Sea of
Azov
Black Sea
declared in 1991, and although political freedom
came to all, a small cadre vastly enriched and
entrenched themselves. Since then the country has
been deeply divided between those who want to
reassert links with Russia and those who look
westward for the future.The “Orange Revolution”
in 2005 won Ukrainians national dignity, press
freedoms and open political mechanisms, but
infighting and rivalries crippled progress. Promises
of rooting out corruption have borne little fruit as
it is deeply entrenched.
Religion
Ukraine
Europe
Geography
Area 603,700 sq km. A flat, fertile, forested
plain with few natural boundaries.
Population
2010
45,433,415
2020
42,945,414
2030
40,188,380
Ann Gr
-0.65%
-0.56%
-0.70%
Density
75/sq km
71/sq km
67/sq km
Capital Kyiv (Kiev) 2,677,000. Other major cities:
Kharkov 1.4million; Dnepropetrovsk 1mil; Donetsk
980,000; Odessa 983,000. Urbanites 68%. Pop
under 15 yrs 14%. Life expectancy 68.2 yrs.
Peoples
Inter-mingling of Ukrainians and Russians blurs
ethnic divisions.
Eurasian 97.1%.
Slav 95.2%. Ukrainian 72.1%; Russian 13.2%; Polish
2.3%; Ruthene 1.1%; Belarusian 0.9%.
Other 1.9%. Moldavian/Romanian 0.9%; Hungarian 0.4%.
Turkic/Altaic 1.0%. Crimean Tatar 0.7%.
Other 1.9%. Gypsy(4) 1.5%; Jew 0.3%.
Literacy 99.4%. Official language Ukrainian,
but Russian widely spoken. All languages 13.
Languages with Scripture 1Bi 1NT 1por 2wip.
Economy
U
Rich in mineral deposits (especially coal and iron
ore) and with highly arable land, Ukraine has great
economic potential. A sustained post-independence
economic plummet was reversed by several years
of growth, but many Ukrainians hover on the edge
of poverty. The transition to a market economy has
been blighted by corruption, cronyism and highly
uneven progress – the cities grow while the smaller
towns wither and fade. Dependent upon Russia’s oil
and gas. HDI Rank 85th/182 Public debt 10% of
GDP Income/person $3,035 (7% of USA).
.
Religions
Christian
Non-religious
Muslim
Jewish
Other
Animist
Pop%
79.01
19.48
1.05
0.30
0.14
0.02
Ukraine
Ann Gr
-0.7%
-0.4%
2.5%
-6.2%
2.5%
-0.7%
Pop% Affiliates Ann Gr
3.76 1,708,000 2.2%
2.02 919,000 1.9%
10.14 4,607,000 -0.7%
61.15 27,781,000 -1.0%
0.72 326,000 2.1%
1.8 818,000 0.6%
-0.58 -261,000 0.0%
Church Congs Members Affiliates
MegaBloc 11,300 15,931,034 23,100,000
Ukrainian Orth (Moscow) O 3,550 2,758,621 4,000,000
Ukrainian Orth (Kiev) O 3,470 2,692,308 3,850,000
Eastern-rite Catholics C 920 491,558 757,000
Latin-rite Catholic 1,150 414,935 639,000
C 2,517 151,000 452,000
Autocephalous Orthodox O 51 248,503 415,000
Ev Chr & Baptists 1,309 144,000 374,400
P 1,000 150,000 310,000
Old Believers Ch 1,051 206,670 409,328
I
Evan Pentecostal Union P
Jehovah’s Witnesses
M
Other denominations [34]
Total Christians [71] 28,300 23,669,621 35,081,328
Trans Bloc
Evangelical
Charismatic
Pentecostal
Pop%
3.8
2.6
2.1
Religions (% )
100
J
80
N
60
40
20
For centuries Ukraine was dominated and fought
over by a succession of powers. Independence was
Population
35,896,941
8,850,429
477,051
136,300
63,607
9,087
Christians Denoms
Protestant
43
Independent
17
Catholic
2
Orthodox
7
Marginal
2
Unaffiliated
Doubly affiliated
O
Politics
644
The Church was severely persecuted under
Communism. Freedom of religion since 1990,
but some prejudice remains towards non-
traditional groups.
C
1900 20 40
X
60 80 2000
0
25
Population
1,736,395
1,161,405
946,520
Ann Gr
3.1%
3.8%
3.0%
Trans-Bloc Groups (%) 4
●
● Evang
■ Charis
◆ Pente
●
3
■
◆2
■
●
■ ◆
◆
● ●
■
1
● ● ● ●
■ ◆
◆
◆
◆ ◆
0
◆ ◆ ◆
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Operation World
●
●
Answers to Prayer
the rich Christian
of Ukraine.
was the Bible belt of
. Thank isGod for and thetoday as thehereheritagecoming untilage This having Their faithful
the Soviet sphere,
churches
suffered greatly
independence.
perseverance bearing fruit
church is
of
and
an increasing
impact on society across all spheres.There is today a spiritual ambition and vision previously not
present in Ukraine.
sustained
of evangelicals, in
groups.
3 ThetheofUkrainiangrowthchurches were plantedparticular the newer charismaticbut they
Many these dynamic
by foreigners, notably Africans,
resemble
soil in which they were planted.
Praise God for the emergence of many dynamic and visionary Ukrainian
$ mission Antioch ofwho Slavic world. at home and all over the former Soviet Union.
agencies
minister both
Ukraine is the
the
Challenges for Prayer
but its effects
deeply
The
. Communism fell two decades ago, the poverty levelsare stillpensioners,felt.those
market economy has actually driven many to
while lining the pockets of
connected to the elite. Corruption reaches to
highest
while
teachers,
doctors and other state employees barely survive on their paltry income. The moral vacuum
of post-Communist freedom has led to rapidly increasing rates of alcoholism and AIDS.
Combined with poverty and Chernobyl radiation, this makes a deadly cocktail for a
demographic disaster in the very near future. Pray for righteousness, justice and compassion
to shine forth into this situation.
The Orange
displayed
the incredible potential and predictable
3greater freedoms, Revolutionnon-violentonbothdemonstrations which forcedonnew elections
humanity of Ukraine. After
mass
and
many felt Ukraine was
the road to real transformation
many levels.
Sadly, much remains the same after opposing political leaders undermined each other, and the
nation remains deeply divided between east and west. Pray for this fault line to be healed and
genuine reconciliation to occur.
a key state, a bridge
East
$ Ukraine is Slavic Christianity wasbetween1,000 andisWest, Orthodoxasand Catholic.ofKyiv
was where
born
years ago. Most Ukrainians are
the
Ukrainian Orthodox Church, but the Orthodox Church torn by strife factions proclaim
loyalty to competing patriarchs based in Kyiv and Moscow. The Autocephalous Orthodox
Church condemns both for compliance with the Communists, but is itself beset with schisms.
The Greek or Uniate Catholic Church, which follows the Orthodox liturgy and structure but
accepts the leadership of the Pope, is also large.There is much competition for limited resources,
reacquired buildings and dwindling populations. Superstition and superficiality are widespread,
but there are also those with a love for God and the Scriptures. Pray that spiritual life and
renewal rather than power-politics may govern structures and relationships within these large
bodies.
Ukraine has a
Christian
and evangelicals have emerged stronger and
/ killed.numerousstrong130 years of heritage,persecution butwhichyet totally of Christians
more
from
sustained
in
millions
were
Freedom of religion is vastly improved these days,
not
enshrined in
both law and practice. Pray for the Church to address this new context with boldness. There
are several challenges:
a) Reconciliation and unity. There are deep divisions in Ukrainian religious life – among
and within the major groups. Competing schisms within Orthodoxy in particular, but also
factions within Catholicism and Protestantism, blunt the effectiveness of religious faith.
The Communist era is over, but the scars of intimidation and betrayal need further healing
– all three major confessions were split between collaborators and resistors. Pray for the
right response of those who yielded to pressure, those who stood firm but often remain
inflexible today, and those who have emerged on the scene since independence. Often
divisions are the result of personal pride, unforgiveness and financial disputes rather than
theological differences alone.
Ukraine
November 11-12
645
U
b) The emergence of the newer churches has been a great blessing, but has also upset the balance
of the religious establishment.The dynamism,Western style, and African leadership of some of
these churches have ruffled some feathers amongst more traditional groups. Pray for sensitivity
and gracious attitudes for all, and for ways to maximize both the spiritual fervour of the newer
groups and the great spiritual heritage of the more traditional ones.
c) Growth is somewhat limited by current needs such as training, infrastructure, adequate
facilities and active input from lay Christians. There are many opportunities, especially in
holistic and compassionate ministries, and to miss this window of opportunity would be a
shame. Pray for a mentality of abundance and generosity that will provide for the material
needs of church growth without too much recourse to foreign funds, which bring with them
their own complications.
Leadership training is probably the primary spiritual need in Ukraine. The
sustained growth of the last 20 years has created thousands of new congregations
requiring leadership formation. There are dozens of seminaries, Bible schools and institutes,
the capacities of which must grow to meet current and future demands. Western agencies
are contributing helpfully in this area, including SGA, GEM, Calvary Chapel Mission,
Baptist and Pentecostal groups and others. Pray for them to serve professionally and humbly.
Ask for God’s provision for good academic resources and textbooks, for building projects
and also funding for students’ scholarships.
1
Expatriate agencies.
such Light in the East, SGA,
and
faithfully
4 served thesince then, butSomebeforeas1989 and continue to dotoSENDMoreothersflocked in
persecuted church
so today.
have
to the country
all too often with great insensitivity the local situation regarding
cultural and financial issues.There is still a place for long-term workers willing to learn the language
and culture, most particularly in Bible teaching, leadership training and to serve in facilitating/
assisting Ukrainians in setting up their own ministries and missions.
there has been blossoming of
2 Indigenous agencies. Sinceinindependenceliterature, media),awith hospitals,(inUkrainian
agencies working in outreach (evangelism,
children
summer
camps and schools), and especially humanitarian work (with prisoners,
orphanages
and soup kitchens). Pentecostal/charismatics and Baptists minister in many ways both in
Ukraine and by sending missionaries to other former Soviet states. Pray for the burgeoning
Ukrainian missionary movement - for further growth, for provision and for fruitful partnership
with Western and other agencies.
( Outreach challenges: the Navs and others have active campus ministries, and
a) Students. CCX(IFES), CCCI,
b)
c)
d)
U
e)
student groups are multiplying. CCX has groups meeting in 16 different cities, and most
student missions have a mix of expatriate and national workers.Youth work (YFC and many
others) and summer camps (often held in former Communist Youth facilities) have proved
fruitful. Pray for continued responsiveness from students; there are allegedly 300,000 students
in Kyiv alone.
Children at risk. There are tens of thousands of street children, over 100,000 living in
orphanages and many others in precarious living situations. Many of these suffer health
complications from Chernobyl. The majority of orphans will become involved in drugs,
crime or prostitution unless they can be lovingly reached by Christians. The CoMission for
Children at Risk brings together dozens of ministries dedicated to doing just that.
Crimea – a region in contrast to the rest of Ukraine. Communist beliefs and a strong Russian
connection persist here, and churches have not grown as much as in other parts of the country.
More than 250,000 previously exiled Crimean Tatars have been welcomed as well. The vast
majority are Muslim (although often nominally) and are being sought by Muslim missionaries
from Turkey and the Arab world.There are significant numbers of Christians specifically reaching
out to them with substantial fruit (Russian Ministries/River of Joy, Crimean Tatar Partnership,
YWAM).The increasing number of Tatar believers are noted for their fiery faith.
Ukrainian Jews. Many have emigrated to Israel and the West, and the population continues
to plummet by 7% annually. Chosen People Ministries have planted several Messianic
synagogues, and a Messianic Bible school has been formed. Ukraine’s Jews are amongst the
most responsive in the world to the gospel.
Foreign immigrants, often students – most are from the Middle East and Asia. Many of these
immigrants are lonely and subject to hostile or racist attitudes from xenophobic elements in
646
Ukraine
Operation World
Ukraine. A large number are very open to the gospel, and Ukraine’s evangelistically-minded
churches are reaping a harvest.
f) Cults remain a serious issue. From Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons to Hare Krishna to
indigenous pagan groups such as RUNVira and the Perunists, churches must realize there
are other groups at work in Ukraine. Pray for the apologetics and research centres whose
goal is to promote greater discernment among Christians and encourage outreach to cult
followers.
, Christian media ministries for prayer: (UBS) was restarted in 1991. The need for
a) Bible ministries. The Ukrainian Bible Society
biblical truth and a restoration of moral and absolute values in society have drawn partners
from across the confessional spectrum – Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. The ministry
has grown greatly in the past decade and now distributes hundreds of thousands of copies of
Scripture every year. More could be done with the provision of further finances; pray for
their release.
b) Literature, a great need since most Christian literature was destroyed during the Communist
occupation. With Russian literature plentiful, it is a struggle to get good materials published
in Ukrainian. EHC has distributed over 6 million pieces of literature through the Ukrainian
churches. UBS/Faith Comes by Hearing, Bible League, Mission Without Borders and
others all work to get the printed Word of God into the hands of Ukrainians, especially
children and students.
c) Radio and television. These are open for Christian programmes. FEBC and TWR broadcast
several hours a week in Ukrainian and Russian with good response. HCJB has partnered with
CMAssociates to set up recording and radio studios and has been instrumental in helping to
found Radio Emmanuel, a local Christian station. CBN has a major television network
based in Kyiv, and some of the newer, larger churches are developing their own television
programmes.
d) The JESUS film is shown in seven major languages in Ukraine – pray for more workers to
show the film at Family Festivals throughout the country.
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Ukraine
November 11-12
647
Zambezi River
Zambia
Namibia
e
Lak
K
a
a r ib
Malawi
Harare
Mutare
Gweru
Bulawayo
Indian
Ocean
Botswana
South Africa
Mozambique
Politics
Zimbabwe
Republic of Zimbabwe
Africa
Geography
Area 390,759 sq km. Landlocked state in south-
central Africa.
Population
2010
13,760,411
2020
15,257,927
2030
16,628,170
Ann Gr
0.96%
1.01%
0.81%
Density
35/sq km
39/sq km
43/sq km
These UN-projected figures fail to account for
the massive emigration that has followed the
economic and social meltdown of Zimbabwe, or
for the massive scourge of AIDS. Estimates suggest
25-40% of the population have fled the country,
mostly to neighbouring African states, even if only
until things improve.
Capital Harare 1,436,000. Other major cities:
Bulawayo 677,000. Urbanites 38%. Pop under
15 yrs 39%. Life expectancy 43.4 yrs.
Peoples
Over 42 peoples.
Bantu peoples 97.8%.
Shona 68.2%. 9 major peoples. Central 23.0%; Karanga
15.4%; Zezuru 13.2%; Manyika 6.8%.
Nguni 14.0%. Ndebele 12.2%, 3 other peoples.
Chewa-Sena 8.2%. Nyanja 5.2%, 6 other peoples.
Other 7.4%. Sotho-Tswana(5) 3.3%;Venda 1.1%;Tonga
1.1%; Tswa 1.3%.
Other African 0.6%.
Other 1.6%. European, South Asian, East Asian,
Coloured.
Literacy 89.4%. Official language English. Trade
languages Shona is widely spoken, Ndebele in
the west. All languages 19. Languages with
Scriptures 2Bi 3NT 1por 2w.i.p.
Economy
Z
An unmitigated economic disaster despite rich
agricultural land and mineral deposits. Mugabe’s
mismanagement, corruption, the devastation of
AIDS, costly military adventurism in the Congo
688
and the land redistribution programme which
seized white farms – a crucial pillar of the economy
– combined to plunge the nation into an economic
death spiral. Hyperinflation (at one point calculated
at 230 million percent) and mass unemployment
(over 90%) ensued. Direct foreign investment
and tourism have plummeted, and the education
and health systems are paralyzed to the point of
non-existence. Public debt 266% of GDP.
Income/person $261 (1% of USA).
Zimbabwe
The Rhodesian declaration of independence from
Britain by the white minority in 1965 led to intense
guerrilla warfare and eventually independence as
Zimbabwe in 1980. Effectively a one-party state and
dictatorship until 2008, presided over by Mugabe’s
ZANU-PFVarious elections in 2000, 2002, 2005 and
.
especially 2008 were widely seen as rife with fraud
and intimidation, preceded and followed by thuggery,
murder, torture and destruction of property. A
compromise of a fragile power sharing agreement
with opposition party (and likely 2008 election
winners) MDC saw Morgan Tsvangirai (a former
trade union leader) become Prime Minister with
Mugabe retaining the Presidency. The desperate
socio-economic situation, Mugabe’s age and the
influence of ZANU-PF’s Joint Operations
Command make for an uncertain future.
Religion
Freedom of religion exists but has been
compromised by political interference in church
affairs, political appointments of ecclesiastical
positions and state disruptions of Christian
events on political grounds.
Religions
Christian
Animist
Non-religious
Muslim
Baha'i
Hindu
Jewish
Buddhist
Christians Denoms
Protestant
50
Independent
98
Anglican
1
Catholic
1
Orthodox
1
Marginal
12
Unaffiliated
Doubly affiliated
1
Pop%
77.99
19.20
1.40
1.10
0.20
0.08
0.02
0.01
Population
10,731,745
2,641,999
192,646
151,365
27,521
11,008
2,752
1,376
Pop%
20.79
41.12
2.67
8.88
0.04
1.24
8.0
-4.72
Affiliates
2,860,000
5,659,000
367,000
1,222,000
5,000
171,000
1,097,000
-650,000
Ann Gr
1.8%
-2.1%
2.5%
1.9%
1.0%
-1.4%
-12.1%
1.0%
Ann Gr
2.1%
1.6%
1.0%
1.2%
0.0%
1.9%
-0.9%
0.0%
Church
MegaBloc Congs Members Affiliates
Zim Assem of God, Af I 5,625 1,125,000 2,250,000
Catholic Church
C
216 646,561 1,222,000
Af Apos Ch J Marange I
343 412,000 1,030,000
Seventh-day Adventist P 1,417 598,000
897,000
Operation World
Zion Apostolic Churches I
Zion Christian Church I
Apostolic Faith Mission P
Anglican Church
A
Baptist Convention
P
Methodist Church (UK) P
Evang Lutheran Church P
United Methodist (US) P
Reformed Church in Z P
AoG-Back to God
I
Jehovah’s Witnesses
M
Other denominations [147]
Doubly affiliated
2
Total Christians [164]
1,483
2,181
2,973
1,468
335
1,643
300
1,210
211
297
960
5,021
0
445,000
890,000
261,667
785,000
148,649
495,000
146,800
367,000
119,500
239,000
115,000
230,000
72,072
160,000
98,000
129,000
42,400
106,000
49,000
98,000
39,640
88,000
669,692 1,297,778
0 -650,000
Trans Bloc
Evangelical
Charismatic
Pentecostal
Pop%
28.7
44.3
22.7
Religions (% )
M
Population
3,953,140
6,091,953
3,126,117
Trans-Bloc Groups (%) 50
100
80
E
60
X
C
I
20
P
1900 20 40
40
60 80 2000
0
25
Ann Gr
2.5%
2.0%
2.5%
● Evang
■ Charis
◆ Pente
■
■
■ ■ 40
30
● ●
●
◆
●
◆ ◆ 20
◆
●
10
● ◆
●
● ● ◆ ● ● ◆
◆ ◆
◆ ◆
0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
■
25,683 4,988,981 9,633,778
Answers to Prayer
Church has
and
in
of great trials and
as
. Thefinding refuge grown in numbersfaith,passionhas the midstworking hard toandeventhe
the country disintegrates all around. The state
failed the population,
while
many are
in spirituality and
churches are also
meet
many desperate physical and social needs they encounter.
is
church
Target
3 Target 2010sawthe follow-up to the successful saturation2010 aimsplanting vision ofmission
2000 which
10,000 new churches planted. Target
to address the realities
facing today’s church: leadership development, community transformation, prayer and
mobilization, research, and sustainable, healthy church planting and church growth. Meeting
such lofty goals in the midst of such deprivation will take great commitment and faith across
the entire evangelical spectrum.
Challenges for Prayer
situation would be farcical were it not
its tragic nature.
. Zimbabwe’s desperate solutions from being found. State-endorsedformurder frequently
Suffering has reached unprecedented levels; intransigent misrule and deluded
finger-pointing have prevented
occurs; human rights are routinely violated, with members of non-ZANU-PF parties, the
media and social activists targeted. Pray for Zimbabwe’s leadership, that God might bring
humility and a servant attitude or else put leaders in place who will govern for the sake of the
people and for the restoration of the nation.
human needs abound.
of inter-related disasters combined to create
3 Urgentemergency. Pray especially A webhyperinflation and economic meltdown havea
state of
for the following issues:
a) The economy. Regardless of the reasons,
driven millions into gripping poverty from which there seems no escape.
i Hyperinflation has reached ridiculous proportions, possibly up to 1 billion percent per year and
printing $500 trillion notes! The government has knocked 16 zeros off the currency, but
to no avail; Zimbabwean money is regarded as worthless, and people demand payment in
South African or US currency. The economy cannot stabilize without inflation being
tamed.
ii Unemployment is over 90%, and those few with employment rarely get paid in a useful
currency. No recourse to meaningful or gainful work not only impoverishes a nation, but
destroys its morale as well.
b) The educational system, once one of the best in Africa, has ground to a halt. Enrolment has
plummeted from a once admirable 92.5%, as many are unable to afford the $4 a term school
fee. Entire terms are being cancelled as schools and universities shut down altogether. The
paralysation of education robs Zimbabwe of its future.
c) Health care is also in meltdown. Due to power failures, lack of supplies and inability to pay
workers, hospitals are not working, and even basic health care is under siege, now being
Zimbabwe
December 8-9
689
Z
provided more by NGOs than by the state. The cholera epidemic which began in 2008
prompted the declaration of a state of emergency, and the government has not had the
resources to prevent its spread. Over 100,000 may have been infected.
calamitous
redistribution has changed Zimbabwe
exporter to
$ Theand housed uplandtwo million people. The Mugabe-endorsedfrom a food5,500 white-
being food-import dependent. Under apartheid, white settlers built agricultural output and
employed
to
seizure of
owned farms allowed over 100,000 “war veterans” to settle over 10 million hectares. This process
descended into anarchy and has wrought devastation as squatters camp on once fertile farmland. Not
only does the nation rely on international aid to feed itself, but over two-thirds of the wildlife have
been killed since 2000, mostly for food. Pray for the rule of fair law and for justice to prevail for all
parties involved; pray for wise policies that will not impoverish the land’s future.
The AIDS
in
of the world’s
cases.
/exacerbate itscatastrophelackZimbabwe is onethe stigma resultworsta failureAtocombination
of government neglect,
of healthcare resources, traditional (and modern) practices
that
spread and the failure to address
in
address the
needs. Around 3,000 are dying per week, there are around one million AIDS orphans, and
adult prevalence remains at 20%. Pray for:
a) A radical change in hearts and attitudes to sex and to AIDS itself. Figures demonstrate that
this is beginning to happen as NGOs and churches lead the way in education and awareness.
Prevalence rates are decreasing but still remain tragically high.
b) Effective and specific programmes to address the issue. Pray that all churches might face up
to the moral, spiritual and economic implications of the pandemic for their ministry, and that
pastors would lead the way in endorsing helpful initiatives, holy and transparent lifestyles,
and loving compassion for those afflicted.
that hides in plain sight.
1 Demographic upheaval is the disasterfrom Zimbabwe to neighbouring African nations
a) The exodus of literally countless millions
and beyond.This “brain drain” includes much of academia, the business community, opposition
politicians and spiritual leaders. With a mixed welcome abroad, their emigration, even if only
temporary, is a serious loss to Zimbabwe. Pray for a swift and safe return and reconciliation of
these people, to help rebuild a nation on its knees.
b) The millions of deaths, past and future, due to AIDS. Massive numbers of deaths and
plummeting life expectancy (from over 60 down to near 40 years) robs the nation of trained
professionals and leaders, and steals from the productive working lives of millions. Pray for
wise forward-thinking that will enable the nation to cope with the inevitable loss.
the Church has grown, so have the challenges. Pray
4 Asrelationship with the government. The Church needs tofor:a prophetic voice engaged
a) The
be
Z
in the politico-economic life of the nation. Any such engagement has brought heavy-handed
reprisals from the government with the intimidation and harassment of pastors and Christian
events, and the destruction of hundreds of church buildings. Some denominations have
compromised their testimony by blindly endorsing Mugabe; others have spoken against
government policies and suffered for it. The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance and the Save
Zimbabwe Campaign are examples of churches engaging in the political process to catalyze
change.
b) Social action. With much of the country in meltdown, it is increasingly falling to churches
to feed the hungry (in partnership with international aid groups), care for orphans, protect
the vulnerable and heal the sick. With assistance from ministries based in South Africa and
around the globe, Zimbabwe’s churches are doing this, but they could benefit from further
mobilization, training, and of course financial resources.
c) Theological training and education – crucial as the church grows but threatened by the
widespread instability and want. There are at least 23 Bible colleges and seminaries, but the
real growth is in modular training and TEE. Pray for effective teaching and discipling of those
called to serve the Lord.
d) Spiritual unity. Divisions and splits still occur, especially within the Apostolic and
charismatic groups. The gap between evangelicals, mainlines, and AIC churches can
make collaborative efforts very difficult. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe links
together over 121 denominations and 20 organizations, and Fambidzano/EFZIM links
African Initiated Churches for fellowship and theological instruction.
688
Zimbabwe
Operation World
e) The purity of the church is often compromised by traditional African practices that are
incompatible with the gospel, often by outright witchcraft and occult activities. The growth
of Africa Initiated Churches is commendable for cultural relevance but not at the expense
of theological Orthodoxy. Pray for churches to know the right path that roots Christianity
in Zimbabwean forms but stands firm against compromise.
people have watched
and oppressive
2 Young They constitute difficultidealisticofvisions become empty slogans reason to hope
misrule.
a huge swathe the population, but have little
for any improvement to their
lot. Pray for the ministries of:
a) Student movement Fellowship of Christian Unions – FOCUS(IFES) has 50 groups with
5,000 students served by 5 full-time and 1 part-time staff. In the midst of the dysfunction of
Zimbabwean society the students continue to declare the gospel, as well as help where they
can to serve the practical needs of the people.
b) Scripture Union, which has had a decisive impact on the educated via their work in
the secondary schools. They impart life skills to younger students, and work with orphans
and children at risk, as well as doing HIV/AIDS education. The camp ministry has been
especially fruitful. Pray for more Christian teachers to be raised up to nurture this work in
their spare time.
c) African Enterprise impacts about 50,000 people and hundreds of churches per year
with their youth-oriented Foxfire ministries.This ministry, going since 1980, has shaped the
spiritual lives of many of the nation’s top Christian leaders.
the less-evangelized.
has been
evangelized,
( Pray forremain: which often get Zimbabwe in terms extensively planting andbut areas
of need
neglected
of church
sending
a) The rural areas,
qualified workers; pray for more to be called to this humble but vital task. Pray also for
evangelistic outreaches and suitable literature distribution specifically to these areas.
b) The burgeoning cities, swollen with hundreds of thousands of rural migrants looking
for non-existent jobs. Squatter settlements are multiplying and crime is on the increase.
Outreach to the unemployed is a major challenge.
c) Less-reached peoples. There are some congregations in every indigenous people, but
relatively few among the Tonga, Nambya and Dombe of the Hwange-Kariba area in the
northwest (where the AoG have made a significant impact), the Kunda in the northeast, and
the Tswa in the southeast.
d) Muslims. They are a small minority but wield disproportionate influence on the country
through foreign aid “with strings”, mosque-building and scholarships in Muslim universities.
Most are Yao from Malawi, some are South Asian immigrants and a few are indigenous
Shona-speakers. Little Christian outreach has been made to win them, and churches are
ill-equipped to do so.
expatriate
has steadily declined due government
, Thethe growingmission forcetheserves Zimbabwe fromTheretoare still as do obstruction
and
maturity of
indigenous church.
a wide range of
ministries where input is helpful. MAF
South Africa,
many other
missions.
needed now more than ever with Zimbabwe’s troubled existence.
" Christian media is. The Bible Society continues to print and distribute Scripture even
a) Scripture distribution
in these difficult times, when the demand is greater than ever. Significant developments
include new modern translations of the Bible in Ndebele and Shona as well as translations
in Ndau (by SIM/UBS) and Chikuna as well as an audio version in Shona.
b) Audio-visual tools are extremely valuable. Good News Media and GRN combine to
produce gospel materials in 65 languages and dialects. CAVA(Christian Audio Visual Action)
produces literature and audio-video which focus on evangelism and discipleship to peoples
with primarily oral traditions. They remain the only major publisher of literature in Shona.
c) Radio programmes are broadcast on the national networks (FEBA), but in decreasing
amounts due to government control and increasing charges for air time. Internationally,
TWR Swaziland broadcasts into Zimbabwe in English, Shona, Ndebele and Ndau.
d) The JESUS film has been extensively used in 16 languages for church planting, especially
in rural areas where it has yielded much fruit.
Zimbabwe
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