Central & South America

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

A. Introduction

The Dominican Republic locates in Central America, on one of the Leeward Islands (Greater Antilles Islands) of the Caribbean Sea. The average temperature ranges between 20ºC to 30ºC all year round. It is one of the Spanish-speaking nations. The social and economic situation is quite stable with an average annual income per capita of US$1,320. The country is politically stable with a democratic government. There is freedom of religion. Over 90% of the population believe in Roman Catholic.

B. The Establishment and Development of True Jesus Church

Two families immigrated there from Taiwan in 1980 and 1985 respectively. The truth has been preached to Dominica since August 1987. We have purchased a chapel and established a prayer house in the second-largest city, San Pedro. The original chapel was dilapidated. Through the assistance of the US GA and the donation from lots of brethren, the work of reconstructing the chapel has completed. The dedication was held on July 17, 2016. We purchased another concrete 3-storey building as our chapel in the capital city, Santo Domingo, in May 2019.

C. Things to Take Note of when Visiting

Visa usually allows you to stay for three months. Visa upon arrival is available for citizens from certain countries (such as the USA). You are allowed to carry a maximum of US$10,000 into the country.

BOLIVIA

A. Introduction

The Plurinational State of Bolivia is located in the tropical climate region of South America. Over 70% of the population are indigenous people and most of them are poor. The economy is mainly controlled by 15% of Europeans. The official language is Spanish. The country is socially and politically stable and governed by a constitutional democratic government. There is freedom of religion.

B. The Establishment and Development of True Jesus Church

Currently, the South-Central America Coordination Center (which is located in Argentina church) coordinates the evangelical work in Bolivia.

C. Things to take note of when Visiting

A normal visa usually allows you to stay for three months. The maximum amount of currency you are allowed to bring out of the country is US$5,000. Travelers may bring two pieces of checked-in baggage and one hand-carried baggage. Travelers are allowed to bring duty-free items worth less than US$2,000. It is convenient to access to food and accommodation in Bolivia. It is secure to stay near the countryside but not so safe along the border.

CHILE

A. Introduction

Chile is located in South America. It borders Peru to the north and extends to the South Pole on the south. The climate is very diverse in Chile. You can see the desert in the north which makes it arid along the coastal region. However, the weather is like spring all year round. The climate of the central basin is the temperate Mediterranean type. The temperature ranges from 10°C to 30°C in summer and 4°C to 17°C in winter. As the latitude is relatively high in the south, the weather is usually cold and rainy.

The vast majority of the population are the descendants of Spanish, Italian, German, Eastern European and people from other Middle East countries. Spanish is the official language. The social and economic situation of Chile is good. The average annual income per capita is US$4,700. The country is politically stable and has a democratic government. It has freedom of religion. 76.7% of them are Roman Catholics, 12.4% are Christians, 0.8% are Protestants, 5.8% are Atheists and 4.3% believe in other religions.

B. The Establishment and Development of True Jesus Church

Two members immigrated to Chile in 1991. The seeds of the gospel were first sown in Santiago, the capital city, in January 1995. The first batch of seven believers was baptized in 1996. In August 1997, another three members were baptized. We had 12 members back then. Currently in the year 2019, we have 42 members. At present, we hold services every Friday evening, Sabbath morning and afternoon. The South-Central America Coordination Center actively assists in the evangelistic works in Chile.

C. Things to take Note of when Visiting

A normal visa usually allows you to stay for three months. If you would like to extend your stay, an application must be lodged before entering the country. All valuable belongings, such as computer and camera, must be declared by filling in a temporary import form upon arrival. Clothes suitable for different seasons are to be brought accordingly. There is an abundant supply of food. Accommodation and transportation can be accessed conveniently.

ARGENTINA

A. Introduction

Argentina is the second-largest country in South America. The weather can be very hot in the north, temperate in the central region and dry in the south. Majority of the population are descendants of early immigrants from Spain, Italy and other European countries. The official language is Spanish. Argentina has a democratic government and enjoys the freedom of religion. 92% of the population are Roman Catholics. The economy is still developing and progressing.

B. The Establishment and Development of True Jesus Church

The truth was preached to Argentina in 1980. The church was officially established and registered with the International Assembly on May 16, 1993. At present (the year 2019), the church has 733 believers and is well-organized—the church council (including ministers and seven council members) is in charge of planning and making decisions for various divine work of the church.

C. Things to take Note of when Visiting

A normal visa usually allows you to stay for 30 days. It is best not to bring any goods requiring custom declaration.

BRAZIL

A. Introduction

Brazil locates in the north-eastern part of South America and it is the largest country on this continent. The northern part extends across the equator and the weather is humid and hot. In the central region, there is the Brazilian Highlands (also called Planalto Brasileiro). The inland has a tropical climate and the weather along the south-eastern coastal plain is temperate and humid. São Paulo is the largest city. The majority of the population in Brazil are the descendants of the Portuguese. Therefore, Portuguese is their official language. The country has rich natural resources and the social and economic situation is stable. The average annual income per capita is US$3,000. It has a democratic government and enjoys the freedom of religion. 90% of the population are Roman Catholics.

B. The Establishment and Development of True Jesus Church

São Paulo: The Truth was preached to Brazil in 1995. Currently, a chapel has been purchased and the prayer house has been established. Services are held on Friday evenings and Sabbath day.

Foz: It locates at the border of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. We have purchased a chapel in 2002 in Foz. Regular services are held there. Currently, the South-Central America Coordination Center actively assists in the evangelistic works in Brazil.

C. Things to take Note of when Visiting

Visa is usually granted for a stay of three months. It is best to bring along summer clothing. The hygienic condition is good. Food, accommodation and transportation can be accessed conveniently.

ECUADOR

A. Introduction

It is a country lies on the equator and locates on the northwest of South America. The climate is tropical rainforest. It was a Spanish colony, so the official language is Spanish. Ecuador's population is ethnically diverse. The Ecuadorian believe in Catholicism which has been syncretized with Amerindian beliefs.

B. The Establishment and Development of True Jesus Church

True Jesus Church members immigrated to Ecuador in 2011, so the gospel of the kingdom of God was brought into this country. We have 43 members currently in the year 2019. Most of the members live in Quito and Guayaquil. We hold family services in members’ houses on Friday and Saturday nights. The members are still searching for a location as a place of worship.

C. Things to take Note of when Visiting

Citizens from most of the countries do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. You can stay up to 90 days.

MEXICO

A. Introduction

Mexico is bordered to the north by the US, to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. It is a federal presidential constitutional republic in North America. The official language is Spanish. The climate is diverse in Mexico—you can see the tropical desert in the north and tropical rainforest in the south. The main religion is Catholicism (82.7% of the population are Catholics). 9.7% of the people belong to other Christian denominations.

B. The Establishment and Development of True Jesus Church

We have set up a place of worship in June 2017 in Mexico City, the capital city. All the members were originally from China.

C. Things to take Note of when Visiting

Usually, the visa is valid for three months which can be extended up to 180 days. You are allowed to bring a maximum of US $5000 or the equivalent in other currencies into Mexico. Any amount more than that must be declared and registered with the custom. Bring some comfortable and casual clothes. The sun can be scorching, so it is necessary to bring hats, caps, sunglasses, bug-spray and sunscreen.