Answers to Prayer in the Americas
1 The growth of Evangelicals in Latin America in the 20th Century has been spectacular
2 Pentecostal Evangelicals have demonstrated the greatest vigour and have become the largest component of Evangelicals in Latin America with over 32 million affiliates
3 The spiritual impact of North America, and especially the USA, on the world
a) Great evangelists who have touched the world
b) Great missionary statesmen and visionaries who helped to lay the foundations for the present global harvest
c) Unstinting generosity in giving for great causes — especially missions advances
4 The impact of the Scriptures on Catholics has opened the hearts of millions to a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus
5 People movements are growing among the Amerindians who have long been resistant or indifferent to the gospel
Geography – North America
Area 21,675,600 sq.km. North America contains three of the 13 largest countries of the world: Canada (2nd largest); USA (4th) and Greenland (13th).
Population (2000) 309,631,093 +0.85%AGR
Peoples – North America
Euro-American 64.6%.
Hispanic 11.4%.
Afro-American 11.4%.
Asian 4.8%.
Middle Eastern 4%,
Other/mixed 2.7%.
Native Americans 1.1%.
Economy – North America
The world’s wealthiest continent and the economic engine on which the world’s economy depends for growth.
Politics – North America
The economic and political strength of the USA has the potential to overwhelm its neighbours, which encourages a defensive nationalism on the part of the latter.
Religion – North America
The continent with the least religious discrimination.
Religions Population % Adherents Ann.Gr.
Christian 81.57 259.0 mill +0.66%
non-Religious 12.04 31.8 mill +1.95%
Jewish 1.83 5.9 mill -0.07%
Muslim 1.68 4.6 mill +2.28%
Buddhist/Eastern 0.99 2.9 mill +3.60%
Hindu 0.49 1.3 mill +2.70%
Traditional ethnic 0.38 1.1 mill +1.83%
Baha’i 0.26 787,000 +0.85%
Sikh 0.18 412,000 +2.48%
Other 0.58 1.6 mill +2.64%
Christians Denom. Affil.% ,000 Ann.Gr.
Protestant 793 23.11 71,568 -0.1%
Independent 2,515 21.94 67,928 +2.2%
Anglican 4 1.02 3,162 -1.0%
Catholic 9 22.81 70,616 -0.6%
Orthodox 76 2.06 6,381 +0.7%
Marginal 395 3.55 10,982 +0.6%
Unaffiliated 15.62 48,371 n.a.
Doubly affiliated -6.51 -20,157 n.a.
Missionaries from Americas
71,088 in 672 mission agencies of which 50,720 are in other countries.
Missionaries to Americas
3,008 expatriates in 151 mission agencies.
Geography – Latin America/ Caribbean
Area 20,537,000 sq.km. Comprising 46 countries and territories, of which 25 are islands; 15.1% of the world’s land area.
Population (2000) 519,131,119 +1.59%AGR
Peoples – Latin America/ Caribbean
Euro-American 40.5%; Mixed race 39.1%; Amerindian 10.2%; Afro-American 9.1%; Asian 1.1%.
Literacy over 85%. All languages in the Americas 1,183. Indigenous languages with Scriptures 25Bi 254NT 200por 249w.i.p.
Economy – Latin America/ Caribbean
Rapid development since the early 1980s when democracy and free market economics took root, trade barriers were lowered and inter-state and inter-island communications improved.
Politics – Latin America/ Caribbean
The ending of the Cold War and the eclipse of Communism reinforced the trend to more democratic government throughout Latin America.
Religion – Latin America/ Caribbean
In 1900 almost the entire Spanish-speaking population was considered Catholic.
Religions Population % Adherents Ann.Gr.
Christian 91.65 476.6 m +1.52%
non-Religious 4.28 21.4 m +2.66%
Traditional ethnic 2.73 14.7 m +1.17%
Muslim 0.34 1.4 m +2.88%
Jewish 0.20 1.1 m +1.47%
Baha’i 0.18 829,000 +3.11%
Buddhist/Eastern 0.16 723,000 +1.81%
Hindu 0.13 894,000 +0.38%
Sikh 0.01 40,000 -0.70%
Other 0.33 1.9 m +5.67%
Christians Denom. Affil.% ,000 Ann.Gr.
Protestant 1,874 7.11 36,889 +3.7%
Independent 2,894 4.58 23,752 +4.6%
Anglican 44 0.18 928 +1.0%
Catholic 48 78.77 408,941 +0.8%
Orthodox 64 0.10 533 +0.7%
Marginal 276 1.76 9,150 +4.7%
Unaffiliated 3.30 17,106 n.a.
Doubly affiliated -4.00 -20,700 n.a.
Missionaries from Americas
10,192 from 346 agencies of which 3,827 serve in other countries.
Missionaries to Americas
16,980 expatriates in 539 agencies.