Panama FACTS
Geography
Area: 75,420 sq km. (slightly smaller than South Carolina)
Location: The narrowest point of the Central American isthmus, and bisected by the Panama Canal.
Population: 3.8 million
Annual Growth: 2%
Capital: Panama City
Urbanites: 74.8%
Peoples
People groups: 32
66% Spanish-speaking - 57% Latino (Mestizo); 9% Panamanian Caucasian
12% Amerindian, speaking 12 languages (Ngöbe 8%, Kuna 2%, Embera 1%, Bugle 1%, other 0.3%)
9% Caribbean (Creole-speaking Jamaicans)
7% Asian
7% European/American
Official language: Spanish
Languages: 18
Economy
Due to its key geographic location, Panama’s economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce and tourism. Panama has one of the most developed infrastructures in Latin America. But there is a great level of economic inequity. Most wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few and 40% live in poverty.
Annual income/person: $6,800 (15% of USA)
Religion
Secular state with religious freedom, but with strong preference towards Catholicism.
67% Catholic
19% Evangelical
4% Non-religious
2% Indigenous ethnic beliefs
1% Buddhist
1% Muslim
6% Other
Challenges for Prayer
Area: 75,420 sq km. (slightly smaller than South Carolina)
Location: The narrowest point of the Central American isthmus, and bisected by the Panama Canal.
Population: 3.8 million
Annual Growth: 2%
Capital: Panama City
Urbanites: 74.8%
Peoples
People groups: 32
66% Spanish-speaking - 57% Latino (Mestizo); 9% Panamanian Caucasian
12% Amerindian, speaking 12 languages (Ngöbe 8%, Kuna 2%, Embera 1%, Bugle 1%, other 0.3%)
9% Caribbean (Creole-speaking Jamaicans)
7% Asian
7% European/American
Official language: Spanish
Languages: 18
Economy
Due to its key geographic location, Panama’s economy is service-based, heavily weighted toward banking, commerce and tourism. Panama has one of the most developed infrastructures in Latin America. But there is a great level of economic inequity. Most wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few and 40% live in poverty.
Annual income/person: $6,800 (15% of USA)
Religion
Secular state with religious freedom, but with strong preference towards Catholicism.
67% Catholic
19% Evangelical
4% Non-religious
2% Indigenous ethnic beliefs
1% Buddhist
1% Muslim
6% Other
Challenges for Prayer
- Panama is a nation of great diversity and great potential. Because of its strategic location and the Canal, Panama is a melting pot of many races. The country’s motto is “Panama, Bridge to the World, Heart of the Universe”. Pray that this unique nation may bless the world.
- Panama’s strategic location and stability also attract many other forces to the area. Proximity to Colombia and the prevalence of offshore finance mean that drug cartels and other undesirables are strongly present and using much of the economy to launder money. Pray for a government that will root out corruption and oppose wickedness.
- The Church’s impact is significantly less than its size. Nominalism is widespread, and the Church has loss much impetus to the more dynamic groups like Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons and Muslims. The Church lacks the strength to turn this trend around and is further compromised by many of its members dallying with the false teachings of New Age, astrology and psychics. Pray for the intervention of the Holy Spirit.
- Evangelicals, despite much growth, face major obstacles and challenges:
- Despite some progress in recent years, too often local churches are more concerned about their own “success” than about working together to transform the nation. Pray for the churches to grow in unity.
- Divorce, illegitimate children, domestic violence, immorality and drug use are common. Pray for the conviction of sin and for solid discipleship that shows people how to live.
- Evangelicals are strong in number, but have barely begun to engage the wider needs of Panama. Pray for an informed Church that will bring the gospel into the spheres of politics, culture and the marketplace.
- For many young people, local church structures and ministry do not connect with them. There is an increasing problem with gangs and taking drugs. Pray for dynamic and relevant ministries to young people.
- There is a great need for theological training that encourages holiness of life and spirituality. Godly, mature leadership is needed to energize the Church and to combat widespread proselytism by marginal sects and Islam. Pray for more Panamanians to be called into full-time service.
- Despite some progress in recent years, too often local churches are more concerned about their own “success” than about working together to transform the nation. Pray for the churches to grow in unity.
- Amerindians respond positively to the gospel. Pray for workers to train indigenous leadership and help see the indigenous churches grow and mature.
- Panama is developing into a sending nation. The number of Panamanians serving cross-culturally is bound to increase. The main obstacles to greater mission sending are lack of unity, lack of vision and lack of training.
- Pray for the less-reached sections of the population:
- The upper-middle classes are under-represented in the churches.
- Most Chinese still speak Hakka (60%) and Cantonese, with many traditional Chinese religionists and some nominal Catholics among them. Allegedly, the Chinese population in Panama has spiralled upward to 300,000, most of them recently arrived illegal immigrants. There are only 11 congregations among them (none of them speaking Hakka) and a mere handful of workers. Pray for more workers and fruit in this rapidly growing community.
- There is no known specific outreach to South Asians, who are largely Gujarati-speaking. Most are Muslims, some Hindus, and others Sikh.
- Most Jews are Orthodox and hard to reach.
- The upper-middle classes are under-represented in the churches.
- University students are a key challenge, since 65% of the population are under age 35. Pray for greater growth of both evangelism and discipleship among university, secondary and elementary students.
