IMB missionaries see response to gospel, face poverty, education challenges

According to the International Mission Board (IMB), there are 32 different people groups in Guatemala, speaking 28 different languages. Of these 32 groups, 11 of them are unreached.

Defining an unreached people group as “a group in which less than 2 percent of the population are evangelical Christians,” the IMB reports that all 11 unreached groups are considered “engaged,” meaning they have some sort of missionary presence among them.

With a combined population of just more than 1 million, the unreached groups in Guatemala represent a challenge to IMB missionaries like Joe and JaDonna Hoover and Roger and Vicki Grossman who work with the Quiché.

According to Vicki Grossman, the Quiché are descended from the Maya and are the largest indigenous group in Guatemala, making up 29 percent of the country’s indigenous population. The Quiché live primarily in the western highlands.

“We use a variety of ways to reach the people for Christ, resulting in a new church start,” JaDonna Hoover explained. “Health classes, human needs projects, gospel saturation and storytelling are examples.”

Because of the extreme poverty in some parts of the country, health and human- needs projects are badly needed.
The CIA World Factbook reports that 75 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, with conditions worse in the rural areas. In October 2005, Hurricane Stan brought further misery on the nation, causing approximately 2,000 deaths and extensive flooding and crop damage.

Roger Grossman, IMB strategy coordinator for the area, is still working with several Quiché pastors to distribute food and other goods in the affected areas and assemble donated panels into temporary homes for families that need housing.

The Quiché team has begun three new works in the area. One of the new works, in the village of Chivaretto, began from Bible studies hosted by IMB missionaries sponsored by a local Baptist church. When the first Sunday services were held, the missionaries reported 65 children and 10 adults in attendance.

Another need the missionaries are attempting to fill is the lack of training materials geared toward the Guatemalan people. Roger Grossman is currently working on a series on Daniel and his faith in God for use in Vacation Bible School (VBS) during the next VBS season, which begins in November. 

JaDonna Hoover pointed out that the greatest need for IMB missionaries is prayer. “Those who are praying are a vital part of the work of missions,” she said. “The world needs those who go, but those who go need those who pray.”