Guatemala has an estimated population of 16.3 million people, making it the most populous nation in Central America. Fifty-three percent of the population lives in poverty, and Guatemala has the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest in Latin America. The country also struggles with high levels of infant, child and maternal mortality, illiteracy, and other health and development issues. Over the last thirty years, the fastest growing religion in the country has been Evangelical Christianity, especially among marginalized and indigenous populations. Although there are several large churches in the capital city, the vast number of churches are smaller congregations spread throughout the countryside embedded in marginal or rural, poor communities.

Many of these churches are already trying to meet the physical and spiritual needs of their communities but require more practical training on how to mobilize their churches effectively to transform their communities.