Guatemala
Guatemala has seen almost 150 years of Presbyterian witness, beginning in 1882. Today, at least nineteen presbyteries and local churches are in partnership with Guatemalan churches and organizations vía the PC(USA)’s global partners, the Protestant Center for Pastoral Education in Central America/Centro Evangélico de Estudios Pastorales en Centroamérica (CEDEPCA) and the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Guatemala/Iglesia Evangélica Nacional Presbiteriana de Guatemala (IENPG).
Through mission personnel and partnerships, the PC(USA) shares in ministry with women, evangelism, health care, leadership development, theological education, literacy efforts, and disaster assistance. In recent years, this has included grants or collaborative programs with the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Women and Self-Development of People.
National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala (IENPG) – Founded in 1882, the IENPG was the first national church to result from Presbyterian mission work in Central America. The IENPG has one synod, composed of 6 Spanish-speaking and 11 indigenous-language presbyteries, and approximately 60,000 members. The IENPG’s Christian service program, Diaconia, works with presbyteries in development, health, and agricultural training. Women’s organizations address the needs and concerns of both indigenous and ladina women. Over the years the church has also been active in evangelism, including a mission to Honduras. For decades the IENPG has operated two schools, “La Patria” in Guatemala City and another school with the same name in Quetzaltenango.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Seminary in San Felipe emphasizes the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition in its training program for lay leaders and pastors. The Maya-Quiche Bible Institute at San Cristóbal and the Mam Center at San Juan Ostunalco were founded in the early years of mission work and remain good places for study and training.
Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of Latin America (AIPRAL)
Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPCA) – CEDEPCA is an independent ecumenical institution serving Central America’s churches. CEDEPCA encourages theological reflection and pastoral practice that is evangelical, contextual, liberating, and ecumenical. CEDEPCA has a number of outstanding programs within its four focus areas: Women’s Pastoral Program; Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Training; Publications and Communications Training; and Communication and Exchange for Peace. As part of its Biblical, Theological and Pastoral Training Program, CEDEPCA administers the programs of the Latin America Biblical University in Guatemala at both the university and Bible institute levels. CEDEPCA has helped thousands of U.S. Presbyterians to understand the difficulties with which Latin American Christians live and to reflect on their own lives through the faith experiences of these brothers and sisters.
Presbytery partnerships
Albany Presbytery
Presbytery of Cincinnati
Heartland Presbytery
Presbytery of the Inland Northwest
Presbytery of Middle Tennessee
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
Mission Presbytery
Peace River Presbytery
Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Presbytery of New Covenant
Presbytery of the Peaks
Guatemala Mission Network
The Guatemala Mission Network is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies.
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