Latin America

The Caribbean, Central, and South America are regions full of natural beauty, rich cultural history, and unique people groups. But they also suffer from political, economic, and spiritual challenges.

These challenges include a high rate of illiteracy in the Caribbean countries, where it is also estimated that the adult HIV prevalence rate is among the highest in the world.

Central America is mired in waves of violent crimes in the region, much of it driven by criminal gangs. High homicide rates, street crime, cross-border narcotics trade, money laundering and HIV/AIDS also severely impact many of these countries as well.

Most countries in South America fail to deal effectively with major diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis (TB), dengue, and HIV/AIDS. In addition, several countries on the continent wrestle with high rates of poverty and unemployment. Their public education systems are also often of poor quality, inefficient, and highly inequitable. Additional circumstances also plague individual countries.

Colombia has faced decades of violence, fueled by widespread illicit crop production and narco-trafficking. Numerous rural municipalities, isolated by poor infrastructure and fragile institutions, remain prone to aggression from illegal armed groups, illicit crop cultivation, forced displacement, and human rights abuses. Approximately half of Colombia’s citizens live below the poverty line, suffering from income disparities, poverty, and inadequate social services.

While considered one of Latin America's leading economic powers, Brazil is still working to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria; to promote economic empowerment and social inclusion for disadvantaged persons, including those living with HIV/AIDS; and to expand economic opportunities to disadvantaged people.

Major challenges facing Peru include a crushing level of poverty, with 39.3 percent of Peruvians still living in poverty, and 13.7 percent in extreme poverty. Limited government presence in the highlands and jungle also allows illegal coca cultivation, drug trafficking, illegal logging, remnants of terrorism, and HIV/AIDS transmission to go unchecked in certain areas.

The Hope of Christ:

Despite these overwhelming challenges and obstacles, ICM-sponsored churches are making a difference. ICM’s outreach through both The Mini Bible College and the Targeted Mini Bible College is also providing much-needed spiritual resources to enable local congregations to grow in the Lord. Learn more about the work in each country.

Learn More about ICM's work in:
Brazil
Columbia
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Haiti
Mexico
Nicaragua
Peru
Learn More About The Ministry of ICM

(Country-specific information adapted from http://www.usaid.gov/locations/latin_america_caribbean)

 

Ministries:

Church Building, MBC over Radio, TMBC

Total countries in this region: 43