“Everything will live again wherever the river flows.”
“Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.” (Ezekiel 47:9, NIV).
》 Continent Profile
Population | Americas 1 billion, North America 570 million, South America 430 million
Area | Americas 42.25 million (km2) North America 21.77 million (km2), South America 20.28 million (km2), Caribbean 245,000 (km2)
Countries | North America 5 countries, Caribbean 26 countries, South America 22 countries
People Groups | North America: European 66.4%, Hispanic 12.2%, African 11.5%, East Asian 2.0%, Jewish 1.8%, Arab 1.5%, Native American 1.5%, South Asian 1.1%, Other 2.2%
Caribbean: Latino Caribbean 86.6% (19 people groups), African-Caribbean 10.1% (17 people groups), South Asian 1.6%, Other 1.7%
South America: Latin American 96.5% (874 people groups) People of European origin 1.7%, Other 1.8%
People Groups Unreached | North America 177 (11.4%) 602.84 million, South America 95 (9.9%) 438.15 million
Total Languages ｜ North America: 443. English is the primary language of communication, with the exception of French, spoken in Quebec, Canada and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, and Danish, spoken in Greenland. Spanish is increasingly spoken, especially in the western United States.
Bible translations | Completed 9, New Testament 31, Partial 48, In progress 27. South America: 503. Bible translations: Completed 32, New Testament 291, Partial 130, In progress 276.
Religion ｜ North America: Christian 77.9% (Protestant 25.78%, Catholic 23%), Non-religious 16.75%, Islam 1.75%, Judaism 1.6%, Evangelical 26.84%
South America: Christian 92.14% (Protestant 11.24%, Catholic 77.35%), Non-religious 4.15%, Ethnic religion 2.74%, Evangelical 16.73%
》 About The Americas
The Americas are made up of 53 countries and territories, spread across two continents. After European explorers opened new sea routes, colonization began, and today, Indigenous peoples make up less than 1% of the total population. Many Spanish explorers established vast colonies in Latin America, while the British began to settle in North America in the early 1600s.
A unique history of European colonization. Explorers and conquerors from Europe. Theft and plundering by the settlers. Such events had devastating and long-lasting impacts on the Indigenous peoples, many of whom were killed, enslaved, or oppressed. These harmful practices still affect the region today, and the tragic history of African people being used as slave labor, especially in warmer regions, has left a painful legacy that continues to influence race relations across the continent.
The Americas saw a wave of decolonization, with the U.S. declaring independence in 1776 and Haiti in 1791. As these countries gained independence, they established systems of government and laws similar to one another. Today, colonial languages like English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French are still widely spoken, though some areas are reviving native languages. However, the majority still speak colonial languages, and only a small portion speak Indigenous languages.
The Americas’ economy has rapidly strengthened through free trade agreements and economic unions. These agreements have created tighter bonds between countries across the continents. Notable examples include the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in North America, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and Latin America’s Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and Andean Community (CAN). These economic partnerships boost trade and cooperation. Additionally, factors such as mass migration from southern to northern countries for economic opportunities and the influence of drug trafficking have also shaped and linked the economies of the Americas.
》 Scripture Focus
| Ezekiel 47:1-12(NIV) 1. The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. 2. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was flowing from the south side. 3. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in–a river that no one could cross. 6. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. 8. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. 9. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. 10. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds–like the fish of the Great Sea. 11. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” |
》 Prayer Points
1. North America has produced great evangelical leaders like Charles Finney, D. L. Moody, and Billy Graham, who have had a positive impact on the world through the gospel. Writers, speakers, and pastors from the Americas have greatly contributed to training and empowering the global Church, and churches have generously supported the progress of missions. Let’s praise the Lord for using the gospel in the Americas to serve the world. Just like Ezekiel’s vision of water flowing from the temple to bring life, let us pray for the Americas to be spiritually restored. We ask for God’s kingdom to flourish and missions to be fulfilled through the gospel’s influence in all areas where America has impact.
2. The Americas are home to over 35% of the world’s evangelicals. Over the last century, Latin America has experienced incredible evangelical growth. In 1900, there were around 700,000 evangelicals, which was only 1% of the population. By 2010, this number had grown to 91 million, or 16.8% of the population. This growth is largely due to thousands of laity and pastors faithfully preaching the gospel and planting small churches. While 90% of South America was once Catholic, many are now turning to Protestantism. The vision for missions is also rapidly growing. In 1987, a missionary conference in São Paulo, Brazil (COMIBAM) sparked nationwide interest, leading to various efforts to reach unreached people groups. Today, over 10,000 missionaries and more than 400 mission organizations are working to serve the unreached beyond Latin America. Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru are key missionary-sending nations. Let’s pray for more evangelicals in the Americas to rise up and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Pray that many will dedicate their lives to being “fishers of men” and help fulfill the mission of reaching the nations.
3. Let’s pray for the Americas, where secularism and aggressive atheism are rising. It is the case in countries like Chile and Uruguay, two of the most developed and stable nations in South America. A 2006 study in Uruguay showed that 40% of respondents considered themselves non-religious, while a 2013 study in Chile revealed that 18% of respondents identified as atheist or agnostic. Across the Americas, there are continuous efforts to marginalize the church through media and laws. Let’s pray that God sanctifies the Church with truth and heals the souls in the Americas who oppose Him. May the fruit of new life flourish, bringing glory to God and restoring the Americas spiritually.
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