countries/puertorico

By Bob Schneider, BMW Missionary to Puerto Rico

CULTURAL CLIMATE
This is a land where interracial relationships are no problem. Roughly 30% of our people speak English while many others can understand it. I actually evangelize and disciple many of our people in English. Half of all Puerto Ricans live in the States and many people have lived in the States during their early years or their working years which makes for a strong connection with America. I would consider this island to be "little America." We have Walmart, Home Depot, Chiles, etc., which really minimizes cultural adjustment. Since we are a commonwealth, you don't need a visa or a passport to come and visit us and our currency is the U.S. dollar. This also means that you can easily hold a job here. Our crime rate is quite high, especially the murder rate. A lot of this has to do with drug money or being at a bar. There are a lot of drugs and Christian drug centers here.

What can I say? It is a beautiful place to live. We have beautiful beaches, a wonderful rain forest and arid areas. I thoroughly enjoy Puerto Rico. Although we spent 11 years in Spain, it didn't take long for this to become our home.

SPIRITUAL CLIMATE
According to some statistics, Puerto Rico is 85% Catholic, but I have never seen a larger Christian population than what we find here. In this corner of the island, aproximately 30-35% of all people are believers plus I run into a number of Catholics who have somehow found the Lord. For the last 100 years, the evangelical church has had a strong influence upon the island. In our town of 19,000, there are 120 churches. One thing that has been difficult for me to adjust to is to use God's name so much. "May God bless you" is a common greeting and your response is to say: "amen." When someone asks how you're doing, you should respond: "everything is fine, thanks to God". Puerto Ricans are also very open to the gospel. I love evangelism and discipleship which makes Puerto Rico a wonderful field of opportunity.

OUR HISTORY
The work in Puerto Rico started 40 years ago with the English-speaking military ministry which was geared towards the navy base in Ceiba. In response to BMW's vision to establish church plants in the eastern end of the island, we came to launch that effort. Shortly thereafter, the Navy moved out, and the English church was closed down. We are currently joyfully working and waiting on the Lord to bring along others with a love for evangelism and discipleship. We are presently working in Luquillo.

MINISTRY GOALS
As church planters, we focus our ministry on evangelism, discipleship and leadership training. We seek to build leaders in the midst of the local church, their marriages, families and jobs. Our goal is to build strong lives and then build strong leaders. Our first emphasis is on the home, their marriage, the "good works" that God brings for them to do. As men and women grow or as people come our way who already have those things in place, then we start working with them to learn pastoral ministry, the care of others.

We presently have one couple coming from 45 minutes away, closer to San Juan. They're attending because they haven't been able to find a good church in that area. They could be the base for a future church plant in that area of Puerto Rico.

LET'S SUM IT UP
Puerto Rico is a country that is very open to the gospel and hungry for good teaching and discipleship. It's a commonwealth which means you can earn a living down here although jobs don't pay as much. A church of 30 has been established, and we're looking to branch out as the Lord directs. We would delight in having some wondeful co-workers.

If you have any questions, please give me a call at 787-889-4752, or drop me an e-mail at bschneider@biblicalministries.org

For a tour of the island, go to http://welcome.topuertorico.org.

BIBLICAL MINISTRIES WORLDWIDE
1595 Herrington Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: (770) 339-3500 Fax: (770) 513-1254
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