Pray for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Dotting the South Caribbean, just north of Trinidad and Tobago, are the volcanic island of St. Vincent and a chain of more than 30 islands that collectively make up The Grenadines. Mount Soufriere stands more than 4,000 feet tall on St. Vincent and is one of the most studied volcanoes in the world. Explored by Christopher Columbus in 1498, St. Vincent was one of the last Caribbean Islands to become colonized. In 1719, however, the Caribs could no longer resist, and Britain gained control of the islands until 1960, when the nation became part of the federation of the West Indies. The islands gained full independence in 1979, becoming a parliamentary democracy and member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Two-thirds of the nearly 110,000 people living in the nation are Afro-Caribbean, and the official languages are English and Vincentian Creole. Covered in banana plantations, St. Vincent’s economy is heavily reliant on this crop, while the tropical Grenadines rely more heavily on the tourism industry. While Saint Vincent has electricity and clean drinking water, most people cannot afford utilities and are forced to use community showers and water taps in their villages.

St. Vincent and The Grenadines is a religious nation, and more than 90% of the population claim Christianity as their faith. Still, most lack the personal relationship with Jesus that produces the fruit of holiness and victorious living. A return to Biblical principals is needed as well as a revival of the church. Because the Grenadines are smaller and more isolated, there are few churches on the islands, leaving many people unreached by the Gospel. Indeed, the harvest in this nation is truly plentiful and there is a great call for Biblical leadership and training within churches.