Why Guatemala?

CULTS

A cult is a religious group that uses the name of Christ but will have one or more of the following: 1. Add authoritative writings to the Bible. 2. Claim that they alone are the only true church. 3. Add good works to salvation such as baptism. 4. Deny the deity of Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit. In Guatemala the cults of Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, and others have a strong presence.

EASY-BELIEVISM

Many evangelical churches have taken the Biblical response to the gospel of repentance and faith and substituted that with a ritual prayer of asking Jesus into your heart. This has lead many to have a false sense of assurance of salvation despite their lifestyle of disobedience. (Luke 13:1-5, 1 John 2:3-6, Mark 1:15)

CATHOLICISM

For hundreds of years the primary religion of Guatemala has been Roman Catholicism. In this time nearly sixty percent of the people are Catholics and are enslaved to the false gospel of faith plus sacraments. The people have a great need to hear of the good news of salvation of grace alone through faith alone.

VIOLENCE

Guatemala is one of the most violent countries in the Western Hemisphere. The murder rate is about seven times that of the U.S. The capital city averages twenty-five murders a week. But ninety-seven percent of the homicides cases sadly remain unsolved.

ABUSE OF WOMEN

& CHILDREN

Sadly many of the victims of violence and sexual abuse in Guatemala are women and children. When the gospel is truly believed it results in compassion for the abused. James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

CORRUPTION

Unfortunately bribery, extortion, and various types of theft are common on different levels of society in Guatemala. But the grace of God in salvation results in a lifestyle of work unto the Lord, peace, and contentment. (Ephesians 4:28, Matthew 5:9, Philippians 4:11)