It’s difficult to find exact, recent figures for the totality of Latin American Christian missionaries to other parts of the world because many are members of very small churches. However, as far back as 2007, Mission Frontiers magazine put that figure at “more than 9,265 transcultural, Spanish or Portuguese-speaking missionaries in the world.” Of this number, the majority – just over 5,900 (64%) served in other Latin American nations from their country of birth.

A further 861 (9%) served in Africa; 566 (6%) served in Asia, and 475 (5%) were serving as missionaries in the Middle East. Without a doubt these numbers have grown in recent years as the vitality and missionary vocation of the Latin American Church has grown. “The breadth of the impact of this new missions movement from Latin America cannot yet be fully appreciated,” continues Ted Limpic of COMIBAN. “By faith we know that behind the rise and fall of political powers and of the spiritual life of nations is the hand of God who moves history with a declared purpose.

He longs that all nations will see and know that only the Lord is God, and that He is gracious and kind to those who are marginalised by the powers of this world. The expansion of the missionary outreach of the Church now from Latin America might be part of a major new effort by God to bring ‘peace to all people of good will’ as was promised at Christ’s birth.” Latin American missionaries focus on reaching out to Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus and other peoples Americans and Europeans have traditionally avoided. “Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus are not only objects of God’s love, but friends for whom prayers are being raised from all over Latin America.

Latin Americans are learning how Muslims think. They are praying for them. They are engaging in their lives and not withdrawing,” said Limpic. “Someday, Muslims who have come to Jesus through the witness of missionaries sent from Latin America will sing Jesus’ praises alongside believers from among the poor and marginalised from Latin America,” he said.

Source: Christian Post; Revivalmedia

Bible Study: Revelation 7:9-10

APRIL: Praise God that in the past 30 years the Latin American Church has grown from a receiving Church to a sending Church. Pray WIDER for all the resources they need.