Geography
Peru is the third largest country in South America. It is almost twice as large as Texas, 496,225 square miles. It is divided into three well-defined regions: (1) the western, coastal region of sandy, arid, desert land, which is anywhere from 25 to 50 miles wide and 1300 miles long, from Ecuador to Chile; (2) the central, Sierra (Andes Mountains) that rises inland and runs parallel to the desert, north to south, and (3) the eastern, jungle mountains and lowlands area that forms the western reaches of the Amazon Basin. This last region makes up 62% of the land mass of Peru, but only eight percent of the population lives here.

Peru is located on the western coast of South America and bordered on the north by Ecuador, on the northeast by Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, and on the south by Chile. On the west is the Pacific Ocean. It seldom rains along the coast. Traveling from Lima, in the short distance of 85 miles, one can rise from sea level to almost 16,000 feet above sea level. The ancient seat of the Inca Empire, Cuzco, lies in a valley at some 11,150 feet above sea level. It is the archeological capital of South America. Iquitos is the principal city of eastern Peru, located on the Amazon River some 2000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. At Iquitos the Amazon is 76 feet deep and a mile or more wide, and is a very dangerous river.  Back to Top

History
Peru is one of the oldest populated countries in the world. Art work by the Nazca people dates to 300 B.C. The Nazca and other early cultures were absorbed by the Inca Empire in the 1400s A.D. The Incas, with their capital at Cuzco, controlled territory from Ecuador to Chile.

Drawn by the Inca treasure, Francisco Pizarro conquered the empire in 1533. Lima, established in 1535, was for three centuries the seat of Spanish control over all Hispanic South America except Venezuela.

The colonial reign was noted for its vicious treatment of the Indian population, including such things as commercial monopolies, the exploitation of the Indians, the privileges of the classes, and the excessive taxes, which all led to strong sentiments against the Spanish rule. The rigors of the first l00 years of Spanish rule resulted in the death of more than 1,000,000 Indians.

Peru’s independence was declared on July 28, 1821, by Gen. Jose de San Martin. Venezuela’s liberator Simon Bolivar led Peru’s armies in battling Spain’s troops to final victory in 1826. Today, Peru is considered a democratic society, as free elections are held. On October 3, l968, a military junta overthrew the government, and General Juan Velazco Alvarado was installed as President of a “Revolutionary Government” with a cabinet composed entirely of officers of the armed services. General Velazco Alvarado was ousted in a bloodless coup in August l975 and was replaced by General Francisco Morales Bermudez. Civilian government was then restored in July l980. On April 6, 1992, the President suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament. It should be noted, though, that the colonial system is still in effect. Most noticeable is the outright corruption that is perpetrated by the government. This was one of the major causes for the communist terrorist activity launched principally by the “Sendero Luminoso,” or Shining Path Movement, which was inspired more by Mao than by Marx. Terrorism claimed 30,000 lives between 1980 and the early 1990s. Though seriously weakened in 1993, terrorist groups still exist.  Back to Top

Religion
Constitutionally, there has been granted liberty for any religion to carry on its own particular services and methods of work within the country. The prominent religion is Roman Catholicism, and it is protected by the state. Among the sects, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Adventists, the Mormons and the Israelites (a Peruvian cult) predominate. The Charismatic Movement is prevalent in the Catholic churches as well as the Pentecostal works. The larger Protestant groups are the Assembly of God, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Church of God of Prophecy, Southern Baptists, and several different independent Baptist groups. The largest Protestant group is the Assembly of God with 1511 congregations.  Back to Top

BAPTIST MID-MISSIONS’ WORK IN PERU

Across the years, over 40 missionaries have labored in Peru under Baptist Mid-Missions. By 1965, there were five churches and five mission works. At about this time God started using Peruvian workers in a marvelous way. Currently there are 27 missionaries assigned to Peru, l3 married couples and three single women. In 1980 missionaries and Peruvian pastors set ten-year goals for their ministry. At that time, there were 107 churches and unorganized fellowships in all of Peru. In 1990, there were 300 churches and groups.

It has been the policy of those who have worked in Peru to establish centers in the larger cities and work out from them to the hundreds of villages and towns in the surrounding areas. The points within Peru where Baptist Mid-Missions has established centers are separated by great distances. Involved in the distances are also various kinds of climate and people.  Back to Top

The Cuzco Area
Cuzco, the capital of the ancient Inca Empire, is the center of the work of Baptist Mid-Missions in the Southern Andes. This city is probably the longest continually inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Because of its Indian population, original Inca streets and nearby fortresses of stone, it has been referred to as “the tourist attraction of Latin America” and today is an interesting blend of the 16th and 20th centuries. Both Spanish and Quechua, the language of the Incas, are commonly heard in the streets of the city. Cuzco is located at an altitude of about 11,150 feet, some 230 miles inland, as the crow flies, from the Pacific Ocean. It has a population of over a quarter million inhabitants.

Baptist Mid-Missions started its work in the area in 1937 with Miss Mabel Walker. Reinforcements arrived soon after World War II. The work progressed rather slowly in those first difficult years. In the 1960s, after much foundational work by the early missionaries, more progress was evident.

There has been unusual church growth in this mountain area. In 1980 there were 21 churches in the region. By February of 1988 there were a total of 58 churches and new groups. Then in the following year, 29 new works were added. By early 1990, there were over 100, up 24% per year in the last ten years. Several of these new works have fallen by the wayside. The casualties are attributed to cults and lack of trained leadership. However, church growth continues headed by nationals and assisted by the missionaries.

Of the 77 churches and groups in existence in February of 1989, 70 have most of their services in the Quechua language, 11 use mostly Spanish. There are three organized churches in the city of Cuzco itself. There are Mid-Missions works in nine of the l3 provinces in the State of Cuzco. This work has also passed over the state border into three other states. There had been only two missionary families on the Cuzco field for some time with no new arrivals for about 20 years. As of this writing, there are five couples working in the Cuzco area and one more is on deputation. While there are still many sections of the mountains where missionaries can be used in church planting, there is also great opportunity to train Peruvian pastors.

A recent development in Cuzco has been in radio (see Radio Chaski web site) . Radio has been a tool that is keeping us in contact with the churches and people who are so widely spread out in this ministry. There are two Baptist Mid-Missions-owned stations: Radio Mensagero is an FM station that serves the “Sacred Valley of the Incas” in Urubamba; Radio Chaski is a Short Wave station based in Cuzco which has a wide international audience.

Our churches in this part of Peru now have the benefits of a Bible institute, A Bible college, and a Christian camp. Full-time classes at the Institute began in March of 1994. The camp facilities are in the town of Urubamba and fill a real need for the churches and people. Back to Top

The Greater Lima Area
Lima is a modern city, the center of culture and the home of San Marcos University, founded in 1551, the oldest university in the western hemisphere. The streets of Lima are crowded with Japanese automobiles. On every hand there are evidences of great wealth and great poverty. As in most large cities in South America, Lima is surrounded by numerous “young cities” which have come into existence as a result of a population explosion and a migration of people from the Sierra. About 6,5000,000 people live in the Lima area.

The work in Lima started in 1954 when the Central Evangelical Baptist Church was organized. This group moved into a government-grant housing area where they have obtained land and built themselves a very fine church building. The town is called Tahuantinsuyo and many thousands of people live there. The church has its own Peruvian pastor.

Five miles from the city of Lima is the port city of Callao where some 376,000 people live. A work was begun here in 1959, and early in 1963 a church was organized. Land was purchased and a beautiful building seating 300 people was built. The church has enjoyed a steady growth and has started other daughter churches.

Presently in the Lima area there are some 30 established churches associated with Baptist Mid-Missions being pastored by Peruvians.

In 1970 a work was begun in Huaral, a town of almost 65,000 located about an hour and a half by car north of Lima. This church has acquired property, and built classrooms and an auditorium for 450. A Peruvian pastor was called in 1981. The church is sponsoring a Christian Day School and other works in a number of nearby towns including Aucallama, Chancay, La Perla, and Trebol.

In 1966 property was purchased north of Lima for a youth camp. This property has slowly been developed by the Lima missionaries. It has been used in a wonderful way by missionaries and Peruvians alike.

The Arthur G. Fetzer Memorial Academy for the teaching of MKs is located in Lima as well. Enrollment runs around 60 students from various missions. This provision of the Lord for missionary families enhances the ministry of the entire field.  Back to Top

The Northern Peru Area  
Unlike Lima, northern Peru enjoys sunshine almost all the year round. A warm, dry climate predominates. The northernmost work of Baptist Mid-Missions is located in the city of Tumbes, not far from the Ecuadorian border. This church was begun by a Peruvian missionary serving with the Peruvian mission board begun with the help of Baptist Mid-Missions. About 100 miles south of Tumbes begins an area of four main cities with their outlying areas, Talara, Sullana, Paita, and Piura. This area is called the Sullana area. In each city, large, central churches were started or are being pastored by graduates of Baptist Mid-Missions’ Bible college in Trujillo. These key churches have begun some 300 other churches and works in the cities, towns, and rural zones of the area. The gospel continues to grow at an exciting rate in the surrounding villages and mountains. Many of the leaders in these churches were trained at the Trujillo Bible College or are being trained annually at a week-long retreat led by Baptist Mid-Missions.

Some 150 miles south of Sullana lies the city of Chiclayo where there are eight more churches. This city has a population of around 425,000. Many other churches are being established in the coastal and mountain areas of this region.

Some 150 miles south of Chiclayo and 350 miles north of Lima is the coastal city of Trujillo with 631,000 inhabitants. Seminario Bautista Del Peru began in Lima in 1972 and moved to Trujillo in 1976, where it now has its own campus and facilities. This Bible college has been Baptist Mid-Missions’ main training center for laborers for the entire field of Peru. At the present there are some 55 students enrolled preparing themselves for future ministries. Seventeen churches and works in the Trujillo area provide rich practical training for these future pastors, missionaries, and other Christian workers.

In the high Andes of Northern Peru, at the foot of Mt. Huascaran is the Musho Baptist Church at 10,500 feet above sea level. In and around the main city of Huaraz are several churches with pastors who have graduated from theTrujillo Bible College.

There is a very real need for more missionaries in Peru. Practically every type of ministry can be carried on here. There are literally hundreds of towns and villages without any gospel witness. Many are easily accessible from the well-established centers where we have organized churches. Between Lima and Trujillo, and Trujillo and Chiclayo, there are many coastal cities where new works must be started. In 1980 there were 52 organized churches in Peru. We passed the goal of 200 set at that time for 1990 by more than 100 churches. The thrilling reality of Baptist Mid-Missions’ ministry in Peru is that Peruvians are now totally involved in every aspect of the work. The majority of the new churches are being organized by Peruvians. A growing Peruvian mission is spearheading the church-planting ministry.

Church planters, Bible colleges, teachers, special ministries missionaries and you are urgently needed to build a strong national church capable of reaching all of Peru with a vital independent Baptist testimony.  Back to Top