Paraguay
Date Entered: 1974
Major Ministries: Church planting, camp, theological education, youth and children's ministries.
Country Profile
In an area the size of California, surrounded by Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil, lies the nation of Paraguay. A charming subtropical land, Paraguay is a country of millions of people who need to hear the gospel.
A proud and congenial people, Paraguayans are the offspring of indigenous Gauarani Indians and Spanish conquistadors. While deeply rooted in their culture and Catholicism, Paraguayans are gracious when presented with the gospel message. This approachability is an advantage to building relationships and winning them to Christ.
ABWE opened Paraguay for church planting in 1974, beginning in Asuncion, the capital city with a metro area of 1.2 million people. Several churches have been established in the city and surrounding areas but still more are needed.
Although much of the population lives around Asuncion, many growing cities are scattered throughout the eastern interior. ABWE couples have pioneered these areas, seeing established churches with national pastors as a result of their labors.
With a large percentage of the population under 30, the potential for youth and children’s work is tremendous. Camp Cavaju helps reach this group. On the same property is the Baptist Pastors Training Center, geared to training interior national workers for full-time ministry.
Many people have trusted Christ through the Bible Correspondence School, and some converts are now members of ABWE churches and have entered the ministry.
Personnel needs include church planters for the Asuncion metro area and for interior cities; church planters to the deaf; those with specialties in youth and children’s ministries; and those to prepare national leaders for ministry.