Discover
The identity of the nation
Peru is a country of deep contrasts: the arid desert of the Pacific coast, the icy peaks of the Andes and the dense Amazon rainforest coexist within the same borders. This diverse geography shaped an equally diverse people, heirs to the Inca Empire and dozens of other native peoples, later molded by Spanish colonization and waves of European, African and Asian immigration.
Faith is central to Peruvian identity. The vast majority of the population identifies as Christian, and Catholicism remains deeply rooted in the culture, often intertwined with ancestral Andean traditions, such as devotion to Pachamama (mother earth) and local saints. At the same time, the evangelical church has grown steadily for decades, especially in the cities and among the young, bringing a movement of spiritual renewal that has reached communities in the highlands and the jungle.
Even so, the gospel has not reached every part of the country in the same way. In the more isolated regions of the Peruvian Amazon, small indigenous peoples still have little or no contact with the Scriptures in their own language. In the Andes, Christian faith is often blended with ancient spiritual practices, which calls for deep discipleship, not just surface-level conversion.
Peru also carries the marks of decades of political instability, recurring corruption in its institutions, and the still-vivid memory of the armed conflict against the Shining Path, which wounded entire communities and cost the lives of Christian leaders who refused to go along with the violence. Despite this, the Peruvian people are known for their resilience, hospitality and a faith that endures hardship.
As a nation that has received the gospel and is now learning to send it forward, Peru has an important role to fulfill: to be a bridge between the Quechua-speaking peoples scattered across the South American Andes, and to reach, with patience and love, the peoples of the Amazon rainforest still forgotten.
- Before the arrival of the Europeans, the territory was the heart of the Inca Empire, which united dozens of Andean peoples under a single government.
- 1532 Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro arrives in Peru and captures the Inca emperor Atahualpa, beginning the conquest.
- 1572 Execution of the last Inca leader, Túpac Amaru, and consolidation of Spanish colonial rule.
- 16th-18th centuries Colonial period: Catholicism becomes the official faith and blends with ancestral Andean beliefs.
- 1821 Proclamation of Peru's independence, led by José de San Martín.
- 1824 The Battle of Ayacucho seals South America's definitive independence from Spain.
- 1980-2000 Two decades of internal armed conflict against the Shining Path group leave tens of thousands dead, among them Christian leaders.
- 1987 Publication of the first complete Bible in Ayacucho Quechua, the fruit of the work of Peruvian translator Rómulo Sauñe.
- Today A majority-Christian country, with a growing evangelical church and indigenous peoples of the Amazon still only partially reached by the gospel.
-
Spanishofficial, spoken by about 84% of the population
-
Quechuaofficial in the Andean regions, spoken by about 14% of the population
-
Aymaraofficial in parts of the southern Andes, spoken on the altiplano near Lake Titicaca
-
Amazonian languagesmore than 40 indigenous languages in the Peruvian Amazon, such as Asháninka and Shipibo-Konibo
Peru is divided into three well-defined natural regions: the narrow, arid coast along the Pacific Ocean, the Andean highlands with peaks rising above six thousand meters, and the Amazon rainforest, which covers most of the territory to the east. This diversity of altitudes and climates makes the country one of the most biodiverse on the planet, from the coastal desert to the tropical rainforest.
Major cities
- LimaCapital and largest city, an economic and cultural hub on the Pacific coast
- CuscoFormer capital of the Inca Empire, gateway to Machu Picchu
- ArequipaSecond largest city, known as the "White City" for its buildings made of volcanic stone
- TrujilloThird largest city, in the north, near pre-Inca sites such as Chan Chan
- IquitosLargest city in the Peruvian Amazon, accessible only by river or by air
- PunoCity on the shores of Lake Titicaca, on the Andean altiplano, with a strong festival tradition
Climate and temperature
Ceviche
Raw fish marinated in lime, onion and chili pepper, the country's signature dish.
Lomo saltado
Strips of beef stir-fried with onion, tomato and fried potatoes, a result of Chinese immigration to the country.
Causa limeña
Layers of mashed yellow potato seasoned with chili, filled with tuna or chicken.
Ají de gallina
Shredded chicken in a creamy sauce of yellow chili pepper and walnuts.
Pachamanca
Meat and vegetables cooked under hot stones buried in the ground, an ancient Andean tradition.
Choclo con queso
Large-kernel Andean corn served with fresh cheese, a common street snack.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
A living Inca heritage
The Inca past is not just history: Andean languages, farming techniques and textiles remain present in everyday life.
Reciprocity and community (ayni)
The Andean tradition of "ayni" (mutual help among neighbors) still organizes work and social life in many communities.
Popular faith and religious festivals
Processions such as that of the Lord of Miracles draw crowds and blend Catholic devotion with elements of local cultures.
Diversity between coast, highlands and jungle
A single country brings together very different cultural realities, from the urban coastline to the Amazon rainforest.
Pride in cuisine
Gastronomy is a source of national identity and a meeting point between regions.
Compadrazgo and extended family
Godparents (compadres) are part of the family and social support network throughout the country.
- Treating Andean traditions as an exotic curiosity For many communities, these customs are a living part of their identity and popular faith.
- Comparing Lima to the rest of the country in a demeaning way There is a sensitive rivalry between the capital and the Andean and Amazonian regions.
- Rushing to build relationships Trust builds gradually; getting straight to the point can come across as cold.
- Ignoring courtesy and formalities Greetings, titles and polite speech are highly valued.
- Speaking of rural poverty with pity or superiority Dignity and partnership matter more than charity handouts.
- Refusing food or drink offered in hospitality Refusing can come across as contempt; accepting even a small portion out of courtesy is a sign of respect.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
Christian faith is often blended with devotion to Pachamama and the mountain spirits.
Folk healers and spiritual healing rituals remain popular even among baptized believers.
Many call themselves Christians out of family tradition, without a lived personal faith.
Decades of scandals have eroded trust in institutions and public leaders.
The memory of the armed conflict of the 1980s and 1990s still wounds entire families.
Cultural patterns of male dominance fuel violence within many homes.
Excessive alcohol consumption at traditional festivals affects entire families and communities.
The gap between Lima and the rest of the country leaves Andean and Amazonian communities forgotten.
Economic growth in major cities fuels consumerism and spiritual emptiness.
Illegal gold extraction degrades the forest and enslaves entire communities.
Small forest peoples remain isolated, without full access to the gospel.
Decades of instability have left a people wary of change and strangers.
Peru’s Constitution guarantees religious freedom, but the Catholic Church still maintains a historic, privileged bond with the State, which sometimes leaves evangelical churches in a secondary position in access to public spaces and official recognition.
In the more traditional Andean and Amazonian communities, those who convert to the gospel may face pressure from family and community, seen as a break with ancestral customs and the authority of local leaders.
Between the 1980s and 1990s, the armed conflict against the Shining Path group struck hard at Christian leaders, both Catholic and evangelical, who were persecuted and killed for refusing to align with the violence. That painful memory still marks communities in the Peruvian highlands.
Today, most of the pressure is social rather than legal: discredit, isolation or mockery rather than physical violence. Even so, the Peruvian church keeps growing, especially among evangelicals, and has been taking the gospel to remote regions of the Andes and the Amazon.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Peru is home to 103 people groups cataloged by Joshua Project, most of them already reached to some degree by the gospel thanks to the strong Christian presence in the coastal and Andean regions. The greatest challenge lies in the Peruvian Amazon, where small, isolated indigenous peoples, such as the Asheninka, Amahuaca and Amarakaeri, still have little or no access to the Scriptures in their own language. Together, the unreached peoples number around 210,000 people, a small fraction of the total population, but spread across dozens of distinct languages and cultures in the forests and remote Andean valleys.
- 207K Unreached 0,6%
- 137K Minimally reached 0,4%
- 3.2M Superficially reached 9,3%
- 4.9M Partially reached 14,4%
- 25.9M Significantly reached 75,3%
- 15 Unreached 14,6%
- 15 Minimally reached 14,6%
- 35 Superficially reached 34%
- 33 Partially reached 32%
- 5 Significantly reached 4,9%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Ashéninka Pajonal
Miranha
Pisabo Frontier
Asheninka, Ucayali-Yurua
Japonês
Yaminahua, Chitonajuas Frontier
Amarakaire, Harakmbet
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
cheaper than the South American average, but Lima is the most expensive city in the country
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Learn basic Spanish: outside Lima and the tourist routes, English is not widely spoken.
- Be careful with the altitude in Cusco and the highlands; soroche (altitude sickness) is common in the first few days.
- Stick to treated or bottled water outside the major urban centers.
- In Lima, plan for traffic: trips can take much longer than they look on the map.
- Enjoy street food in busy spots, a sign of quick turnover and fresher ingredients.
- Pack warm clothing even for summer trips: Andean nights are cold even when the day is warm.
- Carry cash: in rural areas and the Amazon, cards are not always accepted.
- Use reliable ride-hailing apps in Lima; street taxis are not always safe.
- Keep an eye on your personal belongings at bus terminals and busy tourist spots.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.