Paraguay

Paraguay is a landlocked country in the center of South America — about the size of California — and shares a border with Bolivia to the northwest, Argentina to the south and southwest, and Brazil to the east and northeast. The total population is about 7.5 million from both indigenous and Spanish backgrounds. Evangelical Christianity accounts for less than 10% of the population.

In 2013 Grace Ministries International initiated two survey trips to Paraguay where valuable information was gained concerning the country´s social, economic, and spiritual condition. Survey and ministry trips continued in 2014 to help give a better picture of what it will take to effectively do ministry there. In June 2015 GMI opened Paraguay as a new field engaging in evangelism and Bible study in Ciudad del Este. By 2017, a church was planted in downtown Ciudad del Este.

GMI team members Cory and Kim Hodgson along with Cleiton and Vivianne Menor are also now living and serving in Paraguay. The Menors planted another church, Iglesia Bíblica Bereana (Berean Bible Church) on the south side of the metropolitan area. There is also a Bible study led by Cleiton in the city of Foz de Iguazu across the river in Brazil. Efforts are also underway to reach the northern part of Ciudad del Este with a church planting effort.