República del Perú PERU University Bible Fellowship – Washington Chapter 10th Anniversary Celebration November 8, 2002 Presented by Belssi Chang Report

Content  Geographic Setting  Regions  Population  Ethnic Groups  History and Government  Universities  Missionary Work PERU

Geographic Setting  Borders Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and the Pacific Ocean.  Total land area of 1.28 million sq. km. (3.5x size of Japan, slightly smaller than Alaska).  Third-largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina.  Ranks among the world's 20 largest nations. PERU

Geographic Setting Continued  Terrain: western coastal plain, high and rugged Andes in center, eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin.  Landscape: 50 mountains > 6,000 meters above sea level; 1,679 glaciers; 12,000 lakes of varying sizes and depths; and 262 different river basins.  Among the 5 countries with the greatest biological diversity in the world. PERU

Regions  Peru is made up of 24 departments and one Constitutional Province called El Callao.  Main cities:  Coast: Arequipa, Callao, Trujillo, Chimbote, Chiclayo and Piura  Andes: Cusco  Amazon: Iquitos PERU

Population  Current total Peruvian population is about 27 million:  52% lives in the coast,  36% lives in the highlands, and  12% lives in the jungle.  71% lives in urban areas and  29% lives in rural areas.  50% (approx.) is under 21.  90% is Roman Catholic.  Around 6 million live in the capital, Lima. PERU

Ethnic Groups  Ethnic Groups:  45% Amerindian: Quechuas and Aymaras  37% mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white),  15% criollo (white),  3% Black, Japanese, Chinese, and other  Languages:  Spanish (official)  Quechua (official)  Aymara PERU

History and Government  Ancient Peru seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably the Incas  Inca empire captured by Spanish conquerors in  Peruvian independence declared in  20 th century dominated by military rule, serious economic problems, and guerrilla activity.  Dramatic turnaround and significant progress following  Return of democracy returned in 1980 and especially following  President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990  New Constitution issued under his leadership in 1993; left power in 2000)  Government has 3 branches: executive (5-year term), legislative, and judicial branches.  Current President: Alejandro Toledo (elected in 2001) PERU

Universities  Total of 78 Universities: ~416,000 students  33 Public Universities: ~246,000 students  45 Private Universities: ~170,000 students  53% Male, 47% Female  1.62% of total population  7.92% of year old population  Major with highest enrollment: Education  Largest Universities (both located in Lima):  Universidad San Martin de Porres (private): ~32,000  Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos: ~25,000 PERU

Universities Continued  Universidad San Martin de Porres:  Largest Peruvian university  ~32,000 students  Founded in 1962  Ranked among top 3 private universities PERU

Universities Continued  Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos:  ~25,000 students  Founded in 1551 by Dominican Mission.  First university in American continent.  School of medicine, law, and letters and sciences have functioned uninterruptedly since its founding. PERU

Missionary Work Periods:  (Roman Catholic Missions)  (Beginning of Protestant Missions)  s (Protestant Missions Added)  1950s-Present (Growth Trends and Outlook) PERU

Mission Work:  Roman Catholic Missions  Catholicism was brought by Spanish conquerors starting around  Evangelization conducted through Franciscan, Mercedarian, and Dominican dioceses.  The 17th century - "Peru’s religious century"  Canonization of two saints.  However 17 th Century followed by religious decline. PERU

Mission Work:  Beginning of Protestant Missions  : Scottish educator/Bible society agent James Thomson arrived in Lima  Carried mission work jointly with pro-reform Catholic clergy  1845: Catholicism becomes official state religion  Foreigners allowed to conduct Protestant services provided that no Peruvians attended  1849: Anglican Church for foreign residents allowed  First Non-Catholic denomination in Peru. PERU

Mission Work: Continued  Beginning of Protestant Missions Continued  1877: Arrival of first US Methodists (little success)  1888: Arrival of Francisco Penzotti, Methodist Minister  : sold Bibles, preached, trained leaders  1889: organized a Methodist Church  : jailed for 9 months due to Catholic reaction  international scandal and support resulting in religious tolerance law in 1915  1898: Seventh Day Adventists started mission work  Gained converts especially among Aymara Indians  Founded and operate respected university.  Remain second largest Protestant church in Peru.  Currently largest non-Pentecostal denomination. PERU

Mission Work: s  Protestant Missions Added  1903: Wesleyans  1914: Nazarenes  1927: Baptists (first of several Baptist Missions)  : John Ritchie (RBMU) developed successfully an indigenous Peruvian Evangelical Church in Andes.  1930s-1940s: John A. Mackay (Free Church of Scotland) evangelized university students in Lima  1940: Most Protestant churches and missions form National Evangelical Council  As of 1998 still most representative Protestant Institution. PERU

Mission Work: 1950s-Present  Growth Trends and Outlook  Wycliffe Bible Translators made Bible available in >30 tribal languages in Amazonian jungle.  Faith Missions and Southern Baptists little growth.  Pentecostal churches largest growth (esp. among poor).  Evangelical Alliance Mission Radio station influential in opening doors for significant growth in 1970s. PERU

Mission Work: 1950s-Present Continued  Growth Trends and Outlook Continued  violent political climate between military and Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) guerrillas affected isolated areas where missionary efforts had been successful.  1990s – wave of Pentencostal renewal spread  Recently – significant evangelical growth among native Quechuas and Aymaras  Many converts become active as lay missionaries, in North Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. PERU

Dios tiene esperanza para el Perú! PERU

God has hope for Peru! PERU

References         D.B. Barret, et al. World Christian Encyclopedia: The World by Countries, Religions, Churches, Ministries. Volume 1, Second Edition. Oxford University Press,  A. S. Moreau, et al. Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions. Baker Book House Company,  J. A. Siewert, et al. Mission Handbook: USA/Canada Christian Ministries Overseas. Marc Publishers, PERU