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GEOGRAPHY

Area 5,124 sq.km. Two islands off the coast of Venezuela.

Capital Port of Spain 300,000. Urbanites 72%.

PEOPLES

Afro-Trinidadian 40%. A further 18% of mixed race.

Indo-Trinidadian 40.3%.

Euro-Trinidadian 0.6%.

Other 1.1%. Chinese 6,000; US citizens 2,700; Lebanese 1,000.

Literacy 98%. Official language English.

ECONOMY

Oil is very important, providing half of export earnings. Unwise central planning and profligate spending of oil wealth in the late 1970s led to recession. Recovery began in 1994 with a freer market economy. The only Caribbean island with a strong industrial base. HDI 0.797; 46^th/174. Public debt 28% of GNP. Income/person $4,250 (14% of USA).

POLITICS

Independent of Britain in 1962 as a parliamentary democracy. Prolonged economic recession in the 1980s provoked political and ethnic tensions culminating in an abortive coup by militant black Muslims in 1990. Politics have been polarized racially, but with the election of the first Indian-origin Prime Minister in 1995 the racial issue has become less pronounced.

RELIGION

There is religious freedom for all.

Missionaries from Trinidad
P,I,A 42 in 10 agencies to 10 countries: Trinidad 23.

Missionaries to Trinidad
P,I,A 97 in 22 agencies from 9 countries: USA 79.

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Challenges for Prayer

1 Inter-ethnic harmony has been hindered by political parties aligned according to race and the activities of several extremist minorities among Muslims, Hindus and some 'Christians'. Pray that the government may be impartial and fair to all ethnic groups.

2 The Church is one of the only structures that has bridges to every Trinidadian community. Most of the Afro-, Euro-Trinidadian and Chinese, and over 20% of the Indian population, are professing Christians.

3 The Christian Church is very fragmented – between traditional and newer denominations and a growing multiplicity of Indian and Black-led charismatic and Pentecostal ministries. There is little cohesion with common spiritual goals, outreach or missions involvement. There is a lack of national vision and purpose and many 'Christian' families are dysfunctional. Pray for revival to enliven and empower the Church.

4 Religious instruction in public schools presents an exciting opportunity for the gospel. Many Trinidad Christians are engaged in this ministry. Pray for the young people of all races. YFC, CEF and IFES have work among students. Little is done in the churches to disciple children.

5 A cross-cultural vision is lacking in most churches. Pray for a greater awareness of local and world needs, and for effective training to be given in cross-cultural outreach. Only a handful of Trinidadians have gone overseas as missionaries – mostly with OM, YWAM and WBT.

6 The South Asian community largely originated from North India. It is the largest non-Christian community in the Caribbean. Many Hindus and some Muslims have turned to Christ and over 20% of the South Asian population is Christian today. The Presbyterians, WT and TEAM have planted strong churches and there are also many Pentecostal and charismatic congregations with largely Indian believers. The special challenge is the need of the Indian Muslim community.

7 Christian media ministries:

a) Christian literature. CLC operates three bookstores that are widely appreciated and extensively used. Pray for the 13 workers.

b) Christian radio and TV programmes broadcast on the national network. TWR and other Christian agencies also broadcast radio programmes from outside the country and have a large audience. Pray for the production of programmes that are relevant and spiritually effective.

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