Brazil
Peru
Bolivia
Lake
La Paz
predominantly urban. Includes Mestizo, whites and AfroBolivians.
South
Pacific Ocean Titicaca
Amerindian 53.6%.
An
Santa Cruz
March 11-12
Sucre
de
s
Chile
Mestizo 43.7%. Mixed race, Spanish-speaking,
Paraguay
Argentina
Bolivia
Republic of Bolivia
Highland peoples 49.8%. Quechua(2) 27.3%;
Aymara(2) 22.5%.
Lowland peoples 3.8%. About 27 groups. Up to 10
more have recently become extinct. Major groups are
Chiquitano 1.7%; Guarani(5) 1.4%.
Other 2.7%. German 2.0%. 10 other European and
Asian groups.
Literacy 86.5%; functional literacy nearer to
50%. Official languages Spanish, Aymara,
Quechua. All languages 41. Indigenous
languages 37. Languages with Scriptures 5Bi
18NT 21por 6w.i.p.
Latin America
Area 1,099,000 sq km. Landlocked Andean
state. High plateau in southwest, tropical
lowlands in north and east. One of only two
landlocked republics in the Americas.
Population
2010
10,030,832
2020
11,637,914
2030
13,034,153
Ann Gr
1.78%
1.40%
1.05%
Density
9/sq km
11/sq km
12/sq km
Capital La Paz (administrative) 1,673,401; Sucre
(legal) 288,000. Other major city Santa Cruz
1.7 million. Urbanites 66.5%. Pop under 15
yrs 36%. Life expectancy 65.4 yrs.
Bolivia
Once South America’s richest area, but corrupt,
unstable governments, the fall in silver, tin and
cotton prices on international markets and a
poor infrastructure render it the continent’s
poorest nation. Devastating floods in 2007
pressed matters further. Discoveries of huge
natural gas deposits, which were nationalized,
are the engine of current economic growth.
These deposits strongly link Bolivia to Brazil
economically. Reducing poverty and
unemployment are primary governmental goals.
Honest agriculture is often undermined by coca
growing.
HDI Rank 113th/182. Public debt 45.2% of
GDP. Income/person $1,656 (3% of USA).
March 11-12
153
B
Independence from Spain in 1825 after a long
war for freedom. Over 200 successful coups or
revolutions have held back meaningful progress.
Since 1985, democratic governments have
stabilized the country; improvements are tangible.
Since the 1990s, the rights of underprivileged
indigenous peoples and of the poorest Bolivians
have been increasingly recognized. President
Morales was elected in 2006 with an absolute
majority and re-elected in 2009 with a twothirds majority – rare in Bolivian politics. Four
(gas-rich) regions out of nine strongly voted for
autonomy in 2006, raising the stakes on issues of
presidential powers and regional autonomy and
generating significant unrest. The leftist leanings
of former coca-grower President Morales see
Venezuela and Cuba emerge as close allies.
The Catholic Church retains State Church
status, but rapid growth of non-Catholic
religious bodies threatens this. Issues of religious
freedom and relation of Church and state must
be resolved. The government actively
encourages a revival of indigenous religious
traditions. Most of the population have been
baptized Catholic but are practicing animists or
Christo-pagans, so statistics here must be
interpreted in this light. The majority of
Quechua and Aymara are in this category.
Religions
Christian
Non-religious
Ethnoreligionist
Baha’i
Chinese
Buddhist
Jewish
Muslim
Pop %
90.97
3.74
3.10
1.90
0.20
0.05
0.03
0.01
Population
9,125,205
375,160
310,961
190,589
20,062
5,016
3,009
1,003
Christians Denoms Pop % Affiliates
Protestant
68
12.86 1,290,000
Independent
61
4.64 466,000
Anglican
1
0.01
2,000
Ann Gr
1.6%
3.6%
4.6%
2.9%
1.8%
1.8%
10.4%
1.8%
Catholic
Orthodox
Marginal
Doubly affiliated
1
1
2
77.56 7,780,000
0.04
4,000
2.33 233,000
-6.48 -650,000
Churches
MegaBloc
Catholic Church
C
Seventh-day Adventist P
Assem of God of Bol
P
Latter-day Saints (Mormon) M
Evang Christian Union P
Bolivian Assem of God I
Baptist Union
P
Jehovah’s Witnesses
M
Ekklesia Bolivia
I
Friends Nat Evang Ch P
Holiness Church
P
Reformed Ch of God I
Evang Friends Int
P
Christian Brethren
P
Bolivian Chr Mission
I
Bol Evang Ch of God P
Other denominations[118]
Doubly affiliated
Total Christians[134]
TransBloc
Evangelicals
Evangelicals
Renewalists
Charismatics
Pentecostals
0.9%
1.0%
3.6%
0.0%
Congs Members Affiliates
900 4,523,256 7,780,000
368 132,353 225,000
1,550
96,500 193,000
411
93,750 180,000
1,977
85,000 170,000
783
36,000
80,000
291
33,742
55,000
293
20,500
53,300
8
24,000
48,000
414
19,872
31,000
429
15,000
30,000
240
18,000
28,800
212
17,000
27,200
457
13,700
25,345
158
12,600
25,200
400
20,000
25,000
5,074 296,959 798,931
-650,000
13,965 5,458,2329,125,776
Pop %
Population
Ann Gr
16.2
1,628,371
4.6%
13.1
7.9
1,312,505
787,735
5.8%
5.2%
Missionaries from Bolivia
P,I,A 129 (71 long-term) in 24 agencies: to
Bolivia 53, Middle East 13, Europe 13.
Ann Gr
3.8%
5.4%
2.9%
Answers to Prayer
The 50-year responsiveness of many sections of the population continues in the new
q
millennium, with evangelicals doubling in percentage since 1990 and increasing 43-fold
in number since 1960.
and Quechua peoples, who date back to pre-Inca times, have both experienced
w Aymara
major church growth in their midst, and spiritual responsiveness seems to be increasing.
the churches and the state take the challenge of poverty seriously. The
e Both
resources to tackle this issue exist, but until now, the willpower and wisdom were lacking.
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Challenges for Prayer
The political context of Bolivia changed significantly in the last 10 years. A socialist
q
president with strong agendas, a shift to the political left regionally, claims for ocean access
(through Chilean territory) and a push for autonomy by some regions of Bolivia all unsettle the
status quo. Attempted constitutional amendments and rich gas deposits intensify tensions between
the white elite, highland Quechua and Aymara of the west, and the mestizo and Indian peoples in
the gas-rich east. Pray for peace within and around Bolivia. Pray also for wise governance that will
bring justice for the poorest Bolivians and the mistreated indigenous peoples, while strengthening
the economy for the benefit of all.
Poverty, economics and the coca leaf are inextricably linked. Around 70% of the
w
population are mired in poverty, half of those in abject poverty. Growing coca is much
more profitable than growing other agricultural products, and many of Bolivia’s population are
farmers. The president advocates growing the leaf for traditional purposes, but it is impossible
to control how all of the coca-leaf harvest is processed. Pray that individuals, both those in
power and those in poverty, would have the courage to reject temptation and to make good
decisions.
The spiritual grip of the enemy remains strong after centuries of entrenched
e
paganism, and continues its hold on the Church. Christians now recognize that spiritual
warfare is essential to consolidate what breakthroughs have been achieved. Pray that the Church
will wake up to the enemy’s deep-seated influence, bind the strong man and pray in
transformation and harvest.
The Catholic Church is confronted by multiple crises. Its long-held political
r
supremacy is rapidly declining as is its share of Bolivia’s population. Large losses to faith
groups provoke local discrimination and pressure against non-Catholics. It has failed to develop
an indigenous clergy and to challenge the rampant paganism within the majority it claims to
shepherd. Pray that the millions of nominal and Christo-pagan Catholics might come to a living
faith in Christ.
Evangelical Christians are growing in number and in influence, but face many
t
challenges. Low literacy levels, lack of biblical knowledge and limited discipleship
opportunities give rise to theological error and moral failure. There is a great need to raise the
standard of discipleship. The Association of Evangelicals (ANDEB), a major fellowship link for
churches, is committed to widespread prayer and unity. Pray for these to be achieved and for
believers to increase both in quantity and quality. Some other evangelical goals are:
a) For Bolivia to become at least 30% evangelical. While growth is impressive, this goal is still
some way off from being achieved.
b) Increased mission sending. Bolivia’s sending has increased significantly, but there is still
scope for further growth, especially into cross-cultural missions.
c) Social engagement. Evangelicals must be at the core of Bolivia’s battle against poverty,
injustice and vice by demonstrating radical Kingdom values.
Leadership training is a desperate need recognized by all – precipitated by rapid
y
church growth in past decades. Only a tiny fraction of pastors have formal theological
training. There are over 30 Protestant seminaries and Bible schools as well as a variety of TEE
institutes, BCCs and in-service training programmes; all of the above will not suffice to meet
the need unless the Spirit actively calls, raises up and sanctifies thousands of new leaders. Pray
for this.
u The less-reached:
a) The upper classes have long held exclusive control of the reins of power, and the gap
between rich and poor is widening. Although a number in this class have come to faith,
evangelicalism remains largely the domain of the poor. Ekklesia Church is one denomination
impacting this group; some of the newer charismatic churches also see response.
b) Rural villages. A high proportion of Quechua, Aymara and lowland peoples live in hard-toaccess mountain or forest regions. Those who have been reached at all are almost always
under-resourced in terms of teaching, discipleship and Christian resources.
Bolivia
March 11-12
155
B
c) New urban populations. Many migrants have drifted to the cities looking for work.They are
often rootless, vulnerable and usually menial labourers working for a pittance; the majority are
Quechua or Aymara.
d) The more than 300,000 tertiary students in the 59 universities and colleges face difficult
B
prospects, are often disillusioned with traditional values and are confronted by post-Christian
value systems. CCU(IFES) and CCCI have dozens of workers and hundreds of students, but
the large majority of campuses and students remain untouched.
e) Young people are rarely specifically ministered to, yet over 67% of the population are under
age 30. Widespread unemployment, urban violence and easy availability of drugs make
reaching and discipling them all the more vital. Pray for SU and many others seeking to reach
and disciple the youth, but most important, pray that local congregations would understand
the great importance and potential in reaching youth.
f) Children. Up to 75% of Bolivia’s children are raised in a context of poverty; chronic
malnutrition is all too common. Perhaps 100,000 are homeless or street kids – almost all the
boys have used drugs, and many of the girls have experienced sexual abuse. Pray for the
development of children’s ministries and for churches to see the importance of these.
Lowland tribes have been largely evangelized through great sacrifice and with considerable
i
success. Praise the Lord for the work of NTM, SIM, WGM, UWM, South American
Mission and others.Their ministries have been strongly attacked by anti-Christian anthropologists
and commercial exploiters of these lands as “genocidal”, but these claims prove spurious in the
face of real exploiters. Pray for maturity in indigenous leaders, integration of these believers into
Bolivian life, sound conversion of the second generation of Christians and development of a
healthy indigenous Christianity as part of their culture.
Foreign missions. Early missionaries struggled long against hostility, persecution and harsh
o
living conditions before the harvest ripened. The contribution of AEM (now SIM) was
unique in pioneering most of the major gospel advances and ministries in the country. Foreign
ministry must now focus on developing leaders (especially among the Quechua and Aymara),
reaching and discipling young people and developing holistic ministries. Major missions include
SIM, NTM, YWAM, WGM, SAM(USA), AM. Korean missionaries were instrumental in
founding two of the three Christian universities.
Bible translation and distribution. The Bible Society has been and remains instrumental
a
in all aspects of this vital ministry. Over one million NTs have been distributed in schools.
The Aymara and Quechua Bibles are in great demand, but without effective literacy programmes,
their impact is blunted. Nearly every Amerindian language that warrants translation work has
received it; SIL, The Bible Society and the Catholics have been instrumental in this. Pray for a
powerful impact of God’s Word on all groups in Bolivia.
s Christian media:
a) TV and radio have a massive role to play, since a radio is a vital possession to every family.
Listenership of local radio stations is increasing. There are now 11 local evangelical stations,
including Ekklesia, Musoj Chaski radio in Quechua (launched by NTM, SIM, Pioneers) and
others. International stations (HCJB, TWR, others) broadcast daily in Spanish, and HCJB
especially in Quechua and Aymara. Pray for this vital medium in a country where all other
media are restricted in impact by illiteracy, poverty and isolation.
b) Christian literature in Aymara and Quechua, especially tracts, teaching materials and books,
is in short supply. SIM has a significant ministry in this area.There are 13 Christian bookstores.
c) The JESUS film, widely used with considerable impact in Spanish, Aymara and Quechua,
has been seen by a high proportion of the population.
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