Mexico
United Mexican States
August 11-12
Americas

August 11 next >

Answers to Prayer

1 The peaceful democratic change of government in 2000 with expectation for positive change

2 The steady growth of Evangelicals along with the lowering of legal and social barriers for ministry

Challenges for Prayer

1 This dynamic, growing nation is searching for an identity in its Hispanic and Indian roots

2 The election of a new government in 2000 ended 83 years of unbroken PRI control of the country

3 For 300 years the Catholic Church dominated Mexico

4 Persecution of Evangelicals has been a growing feature in Mexico

a) At a national level the media regularly, in vitriolic terms, portray Evangelicals as anti-Mexican spies and destroyers of the culture

b) At a local level, and especially in the poor Amerindian-majority southern states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, there have been numerous incidents of mob violence

5 Evangelicals have grown – even under the pressures

a) The highest concentrations are in the southern states of Chiapas (19%), Tabasco (17.5%), Campeche (15.4%) and Quintana Roo (14%), which are also where a high proportion of Amerindian peoples live

b) Evangelicals have a higher profile after some notable conversions of entertainers

6 The specific challenges for Evangelicals:

a) Unity

b) Discipleship and biblical commitment which impacts family life is a great need

c) Leadership training is the key to the future health of the Church

d) Develop missions vision

August 11 next >

Geography


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Area 1,958,201 sq.km. Latin America's fourth largest country.

Population (2000) 98,881,289 +1.64%AGR

Capital Mexico City 22.5 mill.

Peoples

Mestizo (Spanish/Amerindian) 61.1%; Amerindian 28%; Euro-American 9%; Afro-American 0.5%; Other 1.4%.

Literacy 89%. Functional literacy is much lower. Official language Spanish, the world's largest Spanish-speaking nation. All languages 298. Languages with Scriptures 5Bi 98NT 44por 76w.i.p.

Economy

Oil, rapidly developing industry, tourism and agricultural products are all important. HDI 0.786; 50th/174. Public debt 24% of GNP. Income/person $3,700 (12% of USA).

Politics

The sophisticated Aztec Empire in central Mexico was destroyed by the Spanish and smallpox in the early 16th Century.

Religion

Secular state with freedom of conscience and practice of religion.

Religions Population % Adherents Ann.Gr.
Christian 94.26 93,205,503 +1.7%
non-Religious/other 3.60 3,559,726 +1.6%
Traditional ethnic 1.79 1,769,975 -1.2%
Muslim 0.26 257,091 +2.4%
Jewish 0.05 49,441 -5.0%
Baha'i 0.04 39,553 +7.7%
Christians Denom. Affil.% ,000 Ann.Gr.
Protestant 285 6.20 6,128 +5.4%
Independent 18 1.81 1,794 +3.3%
Anglican 1 0.02 23 +2.5%
Catholic 1 89.50 88,498 +1.4%
Orthodox 3 0.05 50 +0.0%
Marginal 53 2.29 2,266 +4.5%
Doubly affiliated   -5.62 -5,553 n.a.

Churches in Mexico

Missionaries from Mexico

649+ in 56 agencies to 44 countries

Missionaries to Mexico

2,140 in 190 agencies from 29 countries


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