Guatemala Has Highest Percentage of Evangelicals in Latin America says BBC

Dan Wooding : May 29, 2007
ASSIST News Service

…López attributes their success to the fact that they have communicated the Gospel in terms which are practical and related to daily living.

Dan Wooding (May 29th, 2007)

Guatemala has the highest percentage of evangelicals in its population of any country in Latin America, according to a story from the BBC.

"Although figures vary, it is estimated that about 30% of the country belong to the numerous Protestant Churches in the country," said the BBC story. (Photo: World Evangelical Alliance)

An indication of the growth of this sector of society, it says, comes from the denomination "Christian Fraternity," which is about to open the largest religious auditorium in Guatemala, or indeed Central America, which can seat 12,200 people. In fact, the complex includes a school, nurseries and a multistory car park.

"Yet not everybody is happy with such projects," the BBC story continued. "Many Guatemalans feel that the construction of mega-church buildings is a waste of precious money in a nation where 56% of the population still live below the poverty line."

“Most members of Christian Fraternity are middle-class, but the group's founder, Jorge López, says the project was born out of the need for more space. The denomination began life in 1978 with just 22 members, and today surpasses 12,000.”

The [report stated] that López attributes their success to the fact that they have communicated the Gospel in terms which are practical and related to daily living. Other Evangelical Churches, also large in number, such as "House of God" or "El Shaddai", have a similar social profile.

The story concluded by saying, "Protestantism arrived in Guatemala in the mid-19th century, but until 1976 most of the Church was made up of very poor people, and less than 2% of the population. Then in 1976, Guatemala suffered a terrible earthquake. Churches in the USA sent aid, and began to establish themselves in the country. Out of them came others led by Guatemalan pastors who had studied in American Bible Colleges.

"Other groups use the media, such as 'House of God' led by Cash Luna, which operates a network of 25 broadcasting outlets across the country. It is reckoned to be the largest Evangelical denomination in Guatemala, with about 16,000 members."

To read this full report, follow the link below.

Source: ASSIST News Service