“They will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
Evangelical churches are growing rapidly across Mexico and have now outnumbered Catholic churches. According to local media outlet Ciudadania Express, the number of evangelical churches is 183 percent higher than that of Catholic churches, which total 22,940.
The percentage of people identifying as evangelical or Protestant has more than tripled, rising from 3.2 percent in 1980 to 11.2 percent in 2020. Meanwhile, the Catholic population has steadily declined. Although around 77.7 percent of the population still identifies as Catholic, evangelicalism has now become the second largest religious group in the country.
The number of evangelical pastors also significantly exceeds that of Catholic priests. Currently, there are about 40,000 evangelical pastors compared to roughly 21,000 Catholic priests. As a result, each evangelical pastor tends to serve fewer members, allowing for more personal and closely connected ministry.
The Catholic Church has faced a shortage of priests due to declining interest among new applicants and an aging clergy, which has also led to a gradual decrease in the number of Catholic parishes in recent years. In contrast, evangelical churches, particularly those within the New Pentecostal movement that emphasizes spiritual gifts and revival, are expanding rapidly and engaging a wide range of people across communities.
Government and local support through grants and subsidies have also played a role in this growth, especially by helping small and mid-sized denominations build churches and secure worship spaces.
However, persecution persists in some areas. Christians who refuse to follow tribal traditions—often a mix of Catholicism and indigenous beliefs—face fines or even expulsion from local governments. Drug cartels have also targeted churches with violence and threats. Despite this, evangelical churches in Mexico continue to stand firm in the face of prejudice, harassment, property seizures, and threats to life. (Source: Gospel Prayer Newspaper, Prayer 24365 Edited).
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. (Isaiah 61:4,NIV)
God, thank You for the rapid growth of evangelical churches in Mexico, a nation long shaped by Catholic tradition. Thank You for the grace that enables them to serve people from all walks of life within their communities. Lord, through Your living Word, restore the hearts that have long been desolate—those trapped in ritualism, cultural traditions, or nominal faith. Make them a people restored for the glory of God. Through the ministers who have offered themselves in service to You, may the seeds of the gospel be planted throughout Mexico. Let Your righteousness and praise take root and bear fruit not only in South America but across the nations, so that Your kingdom may be revived and glorified.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
