peru

Fast Facts

  • Location: Western South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile

  • Capital: Lima

  • Population: Around 33 million

  • Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara

  • Currency: Peruvian Sol

  • Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic, with a growing evangelical Christian community

Culture corner

Peru is one of those places that stays with you. It is ancient and layered, from the high peaks of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon, from the stone ruins of the Inca Empire to the busy streets of Lima. The Quechua people, descendants of the Inca, are still very much present throughout the highlands, carrying centuries of language, art, and tradition forward.

Peruvian food has earned a global reputation, and rightly so. Ceviche, lomo saltado, and aji de gallina are beloved staples, and the country takes real pride in its cuisine. Festivals are colorful and communal, often blending Catholic tradition with indigenous celebration in ways that are uniquely Peruvian.

Family is central, faith is woven into daily life, and hospitality runs deep.

Mission Presence

Peru has a long history of mission work, and today it is both a place where missionaries serve and a place sending its own. Evangelical Christianity represents about 14 percent of the population, built over decades of faithful ministry by missionaries and local partners across the country. ABWE

Much of the active mission work is concentrated among the Quechua people in the Andes and indigenous communities in the Amazon. Indigenous missionaries often travel by horseback, donkey, or on foot to reach high-altitude villages, providing food, medical care, and the gospel. In the Cusco region, which serves as a cultural center for the Quechua, only about four percent of the surrounding population identify as Christians, and poverty and limited healthcare access are widespread challenges. ChristianaidMission to the World

Organizations like Mission to the World, ABWE, SIM, Christian Aid Mission, and Base Peru all have active work across the country's three regions: the coast, the mountains, and the jungle. Work includes church planting, theological education, oral Bible teaching, medical and dental clinics, youth ministry, and prison outreach. SIM International

If you feel called to Peru, there is room for you here.

Bring Peru Home

The View From here: Peru Pack is available under Epiphany Creations. Nine illustrated, colorable pages covering the country overview, flag, landmarks, wildlife, nature and wonders, celebrations and festivals, amazing people, games, and a recipe to try at home. Plus a passport stamp on the overview page to collect as you go.

Learn it. Color it. Love it. Share it.

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