Challenges for Prayer

1 Paraguay still suffers the effects of two centuries of tyranny, war and government incompetence

2 The Roman Catholic Church has long dominated the spiritual and political life of Paraguay

3 Most of Paraguay's Protestants are German-speaking Mennonites and Lutherans, Ukrainian Baptists and Pentecostals and Korean Presbyterians

4 Evangelical church growth continued through the 1990s,

5 Evangelical Christian leaders increasingly work together to promote large evangelistic crusades and the evangelization of the country

a) Leadership development – an essential ministry

b) A lifestyle set by leaders as an example

c) Unity in the church

d) The impartation of a missionary vision to the Church – the formation of a National Committee for Missions (CONAMI) was a solid first step

6 Work among the Indian minority peoples has been fruitful

7 Missionary help is needed, and there is an open door for those who can serve the Paraguayan brethren and strengthen national leadership

8 Christian help ministries:

a) The Bible Society. Extensive Scripture distribution has had great impact, but this has been blunted by limited functional literacy

b) Bible translation

c) GRN has made recordings in 15 languages or dialects

d) Radio is an increasingly influential and fruitful ministry

e) The JESUS film is used in German, Guaraní, Plautdietsch and Spanish

Geography

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Area 406,752 sq.km. Landlocked nation between Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia.

Population (2000) 5,496,453 +2.63%AGR

Capital Asuncion 1,100,000.

Peoples

Spanish/Guaraní-speaking 94%; Amerindian peoples 1.4%; Immigrant minorities 4.6%.

Literacy Officially 90%, but much of it minimal. Official languages Spanish, Guaraní. The latter is understood by 90% of the population. All languages 21. Languages with Scripture 5Bi 6NT 5por 6w.i.p.

Economy

Few natural resources besides agriculture and hydro-electric power. Unemployment 9.8%. HDI 0.730; 84^th/174. Public debt 14.6% of GNP. Income/person $2,000 (6.3% of USA).

Politics

Independent from Spain in 1811.

Religion

Complete separation of Church and State and equality before the law of all religious bodies was declared in 1992, but the Catholic Church still wields significant political and social power.

Churches in Paraguay

Missionaries from Paraguay

106 in 14 agencies to 13 countries

Missionaries to Paraguay

606 in 83 agencies from 25 countries

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