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Region · The Americas
Central America
Evangelicals already make up a large part of the population, and the challenge now is to deepen discipleship and send workers beyond the region.
7 countries
121 peoples
27.4% evangelicals
The 7 flags of the region. Tap one to open the country.
Gospel reach among the 121 peoples
9Unreached · 7.4% of peoples
112reached peoples
27.4%evangelicals (weighted average)
- 3.3% Unreached (4)
- 4.1% Minimally reached (5)
- 10.7% Superficially reached (13)
- 43% Partially reached (52)
- 38.8% Significantly reached (47)
Largest unreached peoples:
Deaf 148K
Chinese 39K
Hindi 16K
The Bible in the languages of the region
97languages spoken
53With complete Bible
44Without complete Bible
- 54.6% With complete Bible (53)
- 45.4% Only portions of the Bible (44)
Source: Joshua Project and Progress.Bible. Estimates, may vary. Compiled from the data of each country in this region.
What it is
Central America is the narrow strip of land linking Mexico to South America, comprising 7 countries: Panama, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important maritime routes, passes through it, and the region is marked by volcanoes, tropical forests and a strong Mayan heritage in Guatemala.
It is also the most evangelical subregion of the Americas, with 29.6% evangelicals, the result of decades of Protestant church growth alongside traditional Catholicism. Yet gang violence, poverty and forced migration toward the United States continue to shape the lives of millions of Central Americans.
Of the region’s 121 people groups, 9 are still considered unreached, concentrated mainly among Indigenous peoples in Guatemala and Honduras. Of the 97 languages spoken in Central America, 44 still have no part of the Bible translated, a figure showing how much translation work remains in isolated Indigenous communities.
Pray for this region, small in territory but great in evangelical faith, that the Central American church may face violence and poverty with hope and reach the remaining peoples still waiting for the Word in their own language.
Context and characteristics
The most evangelical subregion
With 29.6% evangelicals, it has the highest evangelical proportion among all subregions of the Americas.
Panama Canal
One of the world's most important maritime routes crosses Panama, linking the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Living Mayan heritage
In Guatemala, millions of Indigenous Maya preserve their own languages and traditions to this day.
Gang violence
Countries such as Honduras and El Salvador face high levels of violence linked to organized gangs.
9 unreached people groups
Concentrated mainly among Indigenous groups in Guatemala and Honduras, still with no church among them.
Unreached peoples of this region 9 in total
What to pray for
Intercession
For the 9 unreached people groups of Central America, especially Indigenous peoples in Guatemala and Honduras.
For Bible translation into the region's 44 languages that still have no part of Scripture.
Against gang violence affecting entire families in El Salvador and Honduras.
For Central American migrants leaving their countries in search of safety and work.
For the region's evangelical church, that it may deepen discipleship beyond numerical growth.
For the Mayan peoples of Guatemala, guardians of an ancient culture.
For peace and justice amid the poverty affecting much of Central America's population.