80% of the world’s evangelical Christians live in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Over the last 50 years, God’s church has grown exponentially in these areas.

These regions have tremendous mission sending potential to help bring the gospel to unreached peoples, but they currently send only 20% of the world’s cross-cultural missionaries!

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Total Number of Evangelicals

Cultural Bridges to UPGs

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Custom Mobilization Potential

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Cultural Bridges

Strategic Access

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This infographic provides a visual score for seven data points ranked on a 0 to 100 scale. Faded icons show scores for other countries on the mobilization index. See below for actual scores and country-specific insights.

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A Nation Free to Go and Make Disciples

Costa Rica Sees an Increase of Evangelicals

Costa Rica is home to approximately 700,000 evangelicals, which makes up approximately 14% of the total population. [[1]] With an annual growth rate of 3.7%, the Costa Rican evangelical church is growing faster than the world average of 2.6%. [[2]]
Roman Catholicism is still the dominant religion in Costa Rica, stemming back from the Spanish colonization in the 1524; however, evangelicalism is on the rise in Latin America as a whole. According to Pew Research, about 20 percent of Latin Americans now identify as Protestant, which is major growth from the 3 percent that was just a few decades ago. [[3]]
Ask that the Lord of the harvest would continue to grow the Costa Rican church and turn their hearts to the unreached.

Geographically Distant but Culturally Close

Costa Rica is missing two data points on the Hofstede index, complicating any comparison. With an average Median Cultural Distance of 28.7, Costa Rica is further away culturally to the 30 UPG nations on our list than other Latin American countries. According to Geert Hofstede's Cultural Values Index, Costa Rica does not have any cultural neighbors within 10 median points of cultural distance. Their closest cultural neighbors are Kuwait (14.5), Egypt (17), and Thailand (17.5).
Even though Costa Rica is missing two data points on the Hofstede index, but does have a very low score in Individuality. [[4]] This means that Costa Ricans value the benefit of the group and the health of the community above their personal preferences. This is great news for the Costa Rican church, as most of the UPG nations on our list are also very collectivistic and value the benefit of the unit over the individual.&nbsp; Costa Rican evangelicals can more easily join and understand UPG cultures than missionaries from individualistic societies.&nbsp;
Though Costa Rica is not culturally close to any UPG nations on our list, those that they are culturally closest to are all Muslim majority or have a significant Muslim population. The Arab world is extremely collectivistic and holds a strong respect for the community.&nbsp;
Could Costa Rican missionaries be uniquely positioned to build cultural bridges with the hundreds of millions of Muslims in need of Jesus Christ? Pray that these bridges could lead to opportunities to share the gospel with the unreached world!

Little Access, but Not Without Opportunity

With unreached populations of 2,600 in-country and 814,000 regionally, Costa Rica scores low on the Strategic Access index. While there are still unreached tribes in the Amazon and scattered around Latin America, the Costa Rican church has extremely little regional access to the unreached. This means that for the average Costa Rican evangelical to have a meaningful relationship with an unreached individual, he or she would typically be required to leave the country for locations with greater access. Low Strategic Access could be a challenge for mission mobilization efforts that seek to raise up both awareness and passion for the unreached.
Pray that the Lord would not allow this lack of access to be a hindrance in Costa Rican evangelicals feeling called and passionate about the unreached, but rather use it as an opportunity to fully rely on the power of Christ.

Freedom of Religion Offers Massive Opportunity

According to Pew Research, Costa Rica has low levels of religious restrictions and social hostilities. With little to no government restriction placed upon the practice and expression of religious faith, mission mobilization, and other Christian ministries are free to promote and carry out their work as they see fit. The Costa Rican constitution allows for freedom of practice so long as that practice does not impede universal morality or proper behavior.&nbsp;
This is great news for the Costa Rican evangelical church! While many nations have to keep their church underground for fear of social hostilities for their faith, Costa Ricans can openly raise up missionaries, support raise, and launch missionaries and mobilizers to the unreached.

Great Prosperity that Brings Great Potential for Sending

With a ranking of 39, Costa Rica scores very high on the Legatum Prosperity Index when compared to other Mobilization Index countries. Compared to the other twenty-two Central and South American countries on the Index, Costa Rica ranks second in Prosperity, behind only Chile. [[5]]
Costa Rica scores highest in the subcategories of Personal Freedom and Natural Environment and lowest in Enterprise Conditions.&nbsp; Over the last ten years, Costa Rica's prosperity has remained extremely stable. While there has not been any significant growth in prosperity, it is still good news that the country's economy has remained stable and consistent, not fluctuating with highs and lows. This is important and great news for the Costa Rican church as they navigate how to raise up missionaries, raise support, and launch them to the unreached. Understanding the condition of your economy and what to expect financially is a great asset when it comes to physically preparing to go overseas. &nbsp;
Praise God for the provision over Costa Rica and its economy!

Costa Rica currently sends an approximate number of 71 missionaries in country, and another 58 out of country.&nbsp;
One prayer goal of the Mobilization Index is to see 0.1%, or 1 in every 1,000, of a nation&rsquo;s evangelical church mobilized for missions to the unreached. That means that with 58 missionaries going abroad, only 0.00008% of the Costa Rican evangelical church has been mobilized. Imagine what it could look like to see 700 more Costa Ricans going to places where the Gospel is hardly known, like the Arab world! Pray that the Lord would double or triple that sending number, that the Costa Rican evangelical church might see God's heart for the unreached and be part of the next world-wide missions movement!

Moderate Mobilization with Great Room for More Mobilization

<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:2881,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;The Costa Rican church is in a uniquely strategic position. If just 0.1%, or 1 in 1,000 evangelicals, were to be mobilized to go to the unreached, the Lord&rsquo;s harvest would see 700 new missionaries raised up! Costa Rica's close cultural similarities to many UPG nations means that the nation is primed now more than ever for mobilization. Their distance from UPG nations and low access could make mobilization that focuses on the unreached more difficult. Pray that Costa Ricans would not be discouraged by this distance, but rather lean into the power of the Lord to make His name great, no matter the geographic barrier. \n\n\nWhen considering the religious freedom in Costa Rica, their stable economic prosperity, and their cultural connections with the Arab world, we rank their mobilization potential as Moderate.\nFurthermore, the countries generosity score is moderate, at 38% [[136]] With a generous nation backing the church, Costa Rican evangelicals can have an easier time raising support and sending missionaries to the unreached. \n\nCosta Rica is a strategic and powerful country that can play a crucial role in completing the Great Commission! &quot;}">The Costa Rican church is in a uniquely strategic position. If just 0.1%, or 1 in 1,000 evangelicals, were to be mobilized to go to the unreached, the Lord&rsquo;s harvest would see 700 new missionaries raised up! Costa Rica's close cultural similarities to many UPG nations mean that the nation is primed now more than ever for mobilization. Their distance from UPG nations and low access could make mobilization that focuses on the unreached more difficult. Pray that Costa Ricans would not be discouraged by this distance but rather lean into the power of the Lord to make His name great, no matter the geographic barrier.&nbsp;
<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:2881,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;The Costa Rican church is in a uniquely strategic position. If just 0.1%, or 1 in 1,000 evangelicals, were to be mobilized to go to the unreached, the Lord&rsquo;s harvest would see 700 new missionaries raised up! Costa Rica's close cultural similarities to many UPG nations means that the nation is primed now more than ever for mobilization. Their distance from UPG nations and low access could make mobilization that focuses on the unreached more difficult. Pray that Costa Ricans would not be discouraged by this distance, but rather lean into the power of the Lord to make His name great, no matter the geographic barrier. \n\n\nWhen considering the religious freedom in Costa Rica, their stable economic prosperity, and their cultural connections with the Arab world, we rank their mobilization potential as Moderate.\nFurthermore, the countries generosity score is moderate, at 38% [[136]] With a generous nation backing the church, Costa Rican evangelicals can have an easier time raising support and sending missionaries to the unreached. \n\nCosta Rica is a strategic and powerful country that can play a crucial role in completing the Great Commission! &quot;}"><span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:2881,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;The Costa Rican church is in a uniquely strategic position. If just 0.1%, or 1 in 1,000 evangelicals, were to be mobilized to go to the unreached, the Lord&rsquo;s harvest would see 700 new missionaries raised up! Costa Rica's close cultural similarities to many UPG nations means that the nation is primed now more than ever for mobilization. Their distance from UPG nations and low access could make mobilization that focuses on the unreached more difficult. Pray that Costa Ricans would not be discouraged by this distance, but rather lean into the power of the Lord to make His name great, no matter the geographic barrier. \n\n\nWhen considering the religious freedom in Costa Rica, their stable economic prosperity, and their cultural connections with the Arab world, we rank their mobilization potential as Moderate.\nFurthermore, the countries generosity score is moderate, at 38% [[136]] With a generous nation backing the church, Costa Rican evangelicals can have an easier time raising support and sending missionaries to the unreached. \n\nCosta Rica is a strategic and powerful country that can play a crucial role in completing the Great Commission! &quot;}">Furthermore, the country's generosity score is moderate, at 38% [[6]]. With a generous nation backing the church, Costa Rican evangelicals can have an easier time raising support and sending missionaries to the unreached.&nbsp; 
<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:2881,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;The Costa Rican church is in a uniquely strategic position. If just 0.1%, or 1 in 1,000 evangelicals, were to be mobilized to go to the unreached, the Lord&rsquo;s harvest would see 700 new missionaries raised up! Costa Rica's close cultural similarities to many UPG nations means that the nation is primed now more than ever for mobilization. Their distance from UPG nations and low access could make mobilization that focuses on the unreached more difficult. Pray that Costa Ricans would not be discouraged by this distance, but rather lean into the power of the Lord to make His name great, no matter the geographic barrier. \n\n\nWhen considering the religious freedom in Costa Rica, their stable economic prosperity, and their cultural connections with the Arab world, we rank their mobilization potential as Moderate.\nFurthermore, the countries generosity score is moderate, at 38% [[136]] With a generous nation backing the church, Costa Rican evangelicals can have an easier time raising support and sending missionaries to the unreached. \n\nCosta Rica is a strategic and powerful country that can play a crucial role in completing the Great Commission! &quot;}">When considering the religious freedom in Costa Rica, its stable economic prosperity, and its cultural connections with the Arab world, we rank its mobilization potential as Moderate.
<span data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:2881,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}}" data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;The Costa Rican church is in a uniquely strategic position. If just 0.1%, or 1 in 1,000 evangelicals, were to be mobilized to go to the unreached, the Lord&rsquo;s harvest would see 700 new missionaries raised up! Costa Rica's close cultural similarities to many UPG nations means that the nation is primed now more than ever for mobilization. Their distance from UPG nations and low access could make mobilization that focuses on the unreached more difficult. Pray that Costa Ricans would not be discouraged by this distance, but rather lean into the power of the Lord to make His name great, no matter the geographic barrier. \n\n\nWhen considering the religious freedom in Costa Rica, their stable economic prosperity, and their cultural connections with the Arab world, we rank their mobilization potential as Moderate.\nFurthermore, the countries generosity score is moderate, at 38% [[136]] With a generous nation backing the church, Costa Rican evangelicals can have an easier time raising support and sending missionaries to the unreached. \n\nCosta Rica is a strategic and powerful country that can play a crucial role in completing the Great Commission! &quot;}">Costa Rica is a strategic and powerful country that can play a crucial role in completing the Great Commission!&nbsp;

Obstacles:
<ul>
<li>Costa Rica's overall small evangelical church.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Costa Rica is geographically far from most large populations of unreached people groups.</li>
</ul>
Opportunities:
<ul>
<li>Costa Rica scores second highest of all Latin American countries in prosperity, which will allow for churches and ministries to build firm and lasting foundations than can launch a sustainable missions movement out to the world!</li>
<li>The cultural similarities between Costa Rica and the Muslim world offer a certain level of ease that will accompany missionaries as they make His name known among the unreached.</li>
</ul>

Prayer:
<ul>
<li>Pray that the Costa Rican church would raise up and send out 1 in 1,000 believers from their country, resulting in 700 new cross-cultural laborers!</li>
<li>Ask that the Lord would give a mindset of support and sending to the Costa Rican church so that they might find joy in giving to and sending out their members to the mission field.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Praises:
<ul>
<li>Praise God for the above-average annual growth within the evangelical Church in Costa Rica.</li>
<li>Praise the Lord that the government allows the free practice of religion so that the church can raise up and send out missionaries without hiding!</li>
</ul>

Official Country Name:Republic of Costa Rica

Population:5,048,000

Region:Latin America

Government:Democratic Republic

Official Languages:Spanish

Religious Demographics:Christian ±94%, Evangelical ±14%, Ethnoreligious ±1%, Non-religious ±2%

Costa Rica