AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Colombia - Latin America

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Apr 25: Colombia

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Apr 25: Colombia

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Colombia

Republic of Colombia

Latin America

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 1,141,748 sq km
Northwest corner of South America. The fourth-largest country on the continent. Mountains in west; plains, forests and jungles in east.
Population: 46,300,196    Annual Growth: 1.47%
Capital: Santa Ré de Bogotaá
Urbanites: 75.1%
HDI Rank: 77 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 93 (4% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Spanish    Languages: 83 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	43,716,645	94.42	1.4
Evangelicals	3,460,847	7.5	6.0

Challenges for Prayer

The Roman Catholic Church has seen its role and influence greatly decrease since the 1991 constitution ensured the religious freedom of other groups. The great increase of evangelicals has been at the expense of Catholicism, especially among the poor. The majority of Catholics are strongly traditional, but widely nominal; only 25% practice their faith. There is a very strong charismatic element among those who are active in the Church. Many of the faithful have opposed violence and structural sin – and paid dearly for such commitment. Pray for renewal within Catholicism that awakens and purifies the Church.
Evangelical growth has been significant. In 1933, there were only 15,000 evangelicals. In 2010, they numbered 3.5 million. Some claim numbers as high as five million. Local, citywide and national evangelistic outreaches have resulted in large increases in numbers of congregations and believers. Some churches have grown 1,000-fold over the last two decades! Amanacer Colombia is a vision seeking to see 18,000 more evangelical churches planted. Pray for solutions in:
a) The challenge of violence. The work of evangelicals among the poor and disenfranchised is a good testimony to all and the engine for church growth. Ministry to the suffering directs people away from violent alternatives. The conversion of guerrillas and paramilitaries to Christ leads them to quit the fighting, which in turn makes the churches a target. As a result, many pastors have been assassinated or have left the country.
b) The challenge of leadership intensifies with the growth of churches and with pastors being murdered or fleeing. There are more than 20 theological training institutions, most of them packed with students, but they are desperate for qualified teachers. The role of TEE is crucial, with CIPEP coordinating such training for over 3,500 every year.
c) The challenge of unity. The diversity of Colombia’s churches can become a stumbling block or a strength, depending on how well they work together. The prayer nights in Cali and Medellin, attracting more than 45,000 people each, are examples of Church unity. CEDECOL, the Evangelical Confederation of Colombia, links over 50 evangelical denominations and coordinates interchurch action. A formal statement by CEDECOL members against violence and outlining a peace process will raise the profile of the Church, encouraging cooperation but making evangelicals more of a target than ever.
     For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Colombia.