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

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; 50^th/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 16^th Century.

Religion

Secular state with freedom of conscience and practice of religion.

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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