Puerto Rico

This Spanish-speaking island in the Caribbean is officially a Commonwealth of the United States. The Disciples of Christ, born out of the missionary endeavor of the Disciples in the United States, is a strong national denomination. The United Evangelical Church is a Conference of the United Church of Christ. While affirming their Hispanic culture, Puerto Ricans have struggled with the definition of their political status since 1898 when the United States landed on the island. The presence of the US Navy in the island town of Vieques has become a uniting force for Puerto Ricans who were divided along political lines but religious lines as well. The call for “not one more” referring to bombs being fired by the US Navy’s military exercises, has become a plea for peace among Christians in Puerto Rico. Pray for: The ministry of peace and reconciliation of the Ecumenical Coalition for Vieques. The ministry of “Builders of Hope,” Disciples of Christ in Puerto Rico for at risk children. Mission Personnel Ali Nebot Ali Nebot: Program coordinator on human rights, Evangelical Council of Puerto Rico Partners Iglesia Cristiana (Discipulos de Cristo) en Puerto Rico Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico (SEPR) Mision Industrial de Puerto Rico Iglesias Evangelica Unida de Puerto Rico Concilio de Iglesias de Puerto Rico (CIP) Campamentos Cristianos Comunitarios, Inc. Hogar de Ninos Forjadores de Esperanza Jovenes de Puerto Rico en Riesgo, Inc. Amnesty International

Puerto Rico is located in Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic                

This Spanish-speaking island in the Caribbean is officially a Commonwealth of the United States. The Disciples of Christ, born out of the missionary endeavor of the Disciples in the United States, is a strong national denomination. The United Evangelical Church is a Conference of the United Church of Christ.

While affirming their Hispanic culture, Puerto Ricans have struggled with the definition of their political status since 1898 when the United States landed on the island. The presence of the US Navy in the island town of Vieques has become a uniting force for Puerto Ricans who were divided along political lines but religious lines as well. The call for “not one more” referring to bombs being fired by the US Navy’s military exercises, has become a plea for peace among Christians in Puerto Rico.

Pray for: The ministry of peace and reconciliation of the Ecumenical Coalition for Vieques.The ministry of “Builders of Hope,” Disciples of Christ in Puerto Rico for at risk children. 

Population (2014 est) – 11,047,251

Area – 8569 miles

Capital – San Juan

Ethnic Background

     White – 64.1%

     Mulatto & Mestizo – 26.6%

     Black – 9.3%

Exports – petroleum, nickel, medical products, sugar, tobacco, fish, citrus, coffee

Imports – petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 76 years     F 81 years

Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Adult Illiteracy Rate -.02%