Answers to Prayer

1 Between 1970 and 1988 there was dramatic growth of Evangelicals from 3% to 11%. After problems, growth has resumed – some reckon 16% to be Evangelicals

Challenges for Prayer

1 The tragic and sudden halt to evangelical church growth in 1988 led to a decade of little progress

a) Denominational rivalry and acrimonious divisions disillusioned many

b) Inflexible sub-cultures and petty legalisms discouraged many new Christians and seekers

c) Secularism, materialism, post-modern and New Age mindsets are sapping the vitality of urban congregations

d) The moral failure of evangelical leaders

2 The Roman Catholic Church has been deeply impacted by charismatic renewal

3 The signs of hope are:

a) Increased cooperative efforts for outreach and mission

b) Improved leadership training

4 Special evangelistic challenges:

a) Students have proved less responsive to the gospel, and drug addiction has become a serious problem

b) All Amerindian tribes are being evangelized but most are either nominally Catholic or animist

c) Chinese have increased in numbers, many immigrating from Taiwan and mainland China

d) The Mekitelyu Afro-Caribbean community on the Caribbean coast is nominally Protestant, but few people have a vital, life-affecting faith in Christ

e) Muslim immigrants are few, but increasing

5 The Federation of Evangelical Missions of Costa Rica

6 Missions

7 Christian help ministries:

a) Radio and TV

b) LAM's 'Christ for the City' vision

c) The Bible Society

d) The Spanish Language Institute where many missionaries learn Spanish

Geography

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Area 51,100 sq.km. Rich agricultural land, which straddles the Central American isthmus.

Population (2000) 4,023,422 +2.51%AGR

Capital San José 1,063,000.

Peoples

Spanish-speaking 94.8%; English-speaking 2.5%; Amerindian 0.7%; Other 2%.

Literacy 93%. Official language Spanish. English and Mekitelyu spoken on Caribbean coast. All languages 10. Languages with Scriptures 2Bi 5NT 6por.

Economy

Decline between 1979-88, some recovery since then but 20% still live in deep poverty. Unemployment 6.2%. HDI 0.801; 45^th/174. Public debt 30.6% of GNP. Income/person $2,640 (8.5% of USA).

Politics

Independent of Spain in 1821.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the official state religion and all limitations on the free exercise of other religions are illegal, but in practice other religions are not yet equal before the law.

Churches in Costa Rica

Missionaries from Costa Rica

331 in 32 agencies to 27 countries

Missionaries to Costa Rica

433 in 73 agencies from 20 countries

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