Mission Focus on a Country

São Tomé and Príncipe are traditionally Roman Catholic, but there are deep spiritual needs. São Tomé and Príncipe are islands in the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa. Approximately 200,000 people live on the islands with a growth rate over 3%. There a number of different ethnic groups among this small number of people. The economy was originally based on exports of sugar. Cocoa is now the largest export, but geography, overpopulation and mismanagement have hampered economic growth. Most of the people are limited to subsistence agriculture. Potential oil reserves offer hope for some improvement. The islands became a Portuguese colony around 1500. Slave labor existed for much of its history. The islands became an independent nation in 1975 with a communist government. A multiparty democracy was established in 1991. There is freedom of religion. The Roman Catholic Church is dominant with over 80% of the population. However, few are actually practicing. The church also appears to have little affect on the morality of the people. As many as 9 in 10 births are to mothers who are unmarried. There is a handful of evangelical missionaries working on the islands. There are a few evangelical believers, and their numbers are growing. Pray for the churches. There is a need for local pastors. Pray for evangelistic outreach, especially in the more remote areas. Some areas are largely unreached with the gospel. ---------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2008 by Brad Garrison