A Study of Evangelical Protestant Mega-Churches
in Central America, 2011-2012

Produced by Clifton L. Holland, Director of PROLADES
Based on his personal visits to each of these mega-churches during 2011-2012.

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PROLADES RANKING OF MEGA-CHURCHES IN CENTRAL AMERICA BY SIZE OF SUNDAY ATTENDANCE

20,000+

"Friends of Israel" Bible Baptist Tabernacle -
Tabernáculo Bíblico Bautista "Amigos de Israel"
Pastor "Brother Toby" - Dr. Edgar López Bertrand
(affiliated with Baptist International Missions - Fundamentalist)
Colonia San Benito, San Salvador, El Salvador
Auditorium seats 10,000 people; has six Sunday worship services.
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 48,000

Iglesia Elim Central de San Salvador - Misión Cristiana Elim Internacional
(International Elim Christian Mission)
Pastor General Mario Vega
Calle al Matazano, Final Colonia Santa Lucía
San Salvador, El Salvador
Auditorium seats 5,000 people; has five Sunday worship services.
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 22,000

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10,000-19,999

Iglesia Casa de Dios - House of God Church
(Independent Pentecostal)
Pastor Apostle Carlos "Cash" Luna
Located at km. 17 on Main Highway to San José Pinula and border with El Salvador
from Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 3,500 people; has five Sunday worship services.
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 15,000 (2012)
(Note: The inauguration of the new temple, located in the municipality of Fraijanes,
Department of Guatemala, Carretera CA-01 South toward El Salvador,
was held on 27 April 2013; the new "Casa de Dios" has a seating capacity of
about 11,000 people, a parking lot for 3,300 vehicles,
and classrooms for 2,000 children and youth from 0 - 14 years of age;
the total Sunday School attendance averages about 20,000 people.)

International Harvest Ministry of Honduras -
Ministerio Internacional La Cosecha Honduras
(affiliated with Foursquare Gospel Church, independent jurisdiction)
Pastor General Misael Argenal Rodríguez
Located in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
The auditorium will eventually seat 20,000 people when construction is completed;
three Sunday worship services, with total attendance estimated at 15,000.

Comunidad Apostólica Hosanna - Hosanna Apostolic Community
(affiliated with Assemblies of God, an independent jurisdiction)
Pastor Apostle Edwin Álvarez - Hosanna Vision TV
Corner of Vía España and Calle Martín Sossa,
Sector La Cresta, Panama City, Panama
Auditorium seats 5,300 people; has three Sunday worship services.
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 14,000

Iglesia Fraternidad Cristiana - Christian Brotherhood Church
(independent Charismatic Pentecostal)
Pastor Jorge H. López
Templo Mega-Frater, Km. 13.5 Calzada Roosevelt 8-25, Zona 3,
Colonia Cotio, Municipality of Mixco, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 12,200 people; has one Sunday worship service.
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 10,500

Ministerios Ebenezer de Guatemala - Ebenezer Ministries of Guatemala
(New Apostolic Reformation Family of Churches)
Pastor Apostle Sergio Enríquez
Barrio San Pedrito, Zona 5, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 2,500 people; has four Sunday worship services.
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 10,000

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5,000-9,999

Iglesia Asambleas de Dios "Oasis de Esperanza" -
"Oasis of Hope" Assembly of God
Pastor Apostle Raúl Vargas
Offices in Moravia, San Jose, Costa Rica
Auditorium seats 3,500 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 9,500
(Note: in February 2013, the new Casa Oasis auditorium was inaugurated
in San Miguel de Santo Domingo, Heredia, with a
seating capacity of 10,000 and a large parking lot located
on a 32 acre [13 hectares] property)

Old building in Moravia.


New Casa Oasis in San Miguel de Santo Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica

Iglesia de Jesucristo La Familia de Dios -
Family of God Church of Jesus Christ
(independent Pentecostal)
Pastor Luís Fernando Solares
Municipality of Mixco, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 5,000 people; has two Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 9,000

Ministerios Apostolar Centro Cristiano -
Christian Center Apostolic Ministries
(New Apostolic Reformation Family of Churches)
Pastor Augusto Marenco
Rotonda de la Residencial Bello Horizonte, Managua, Nicaragua
Auditorium seats 1,500 people; has six Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 9,000

Ministerio Internacional Ríos de Agua Viva -
Rivers of Living Water International Ministry
(independent Pentecostal)
Pastor Omar Duarte
Sector de Rubenia de Managua, Nicaragua
Auditorium seats about 3,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 8,500

Comunidad de Renovación Familiar Hosanna -
Hosanna Community of Family Renewal
(affiliated with the Assemblies of God)
Pastor Arsenio Herrera
Pista Jean Paul Genie, Managua, Nicaragua
Auditorium seats 2,500 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 7,000

Iglesia de Cristo Elim Central - Elim Central Church of Christ
Pastor General Hector Nufio
(independent Pentecostal)
3a Avenida 11-42, Colonia El Rosario, Zona 3
Municipality of Mixco, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 3,200 people; has two Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 6,000

Misión Cristiana Mundial La Rosa de Sarón -
Rose of Sharon Worldwide Christian Mission
(independent Pentecostal)
Pastor José Luís Madrigal
San Francisco de Goicoechea, San José, Costa Rica
Auditorium seats 3,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 6,000

Centro Evangelístico de las Asambleas de Dios -
Evangelistic Center of the Assemblies of God
Pastores Miguel y Jacky Montoya
Colonia San Ignacio 5ta Entrada,
frente a Blvd. Fuerzas Armadas, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Auditorium seats 2,600 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 5,200

"Passion for Souls" International Apostolic Community -
Comunidad Apostolica Internacional "Pasión por las Almas"
(independent Pentecostal)
Pastor Apostle William Magana
Avenida 10, Hospital District, San José, Costa Rica
Auditorium seats 2,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 5,000

Iglesia Palabras de Vida Eterna - Words of Eternal Life Church
(Independent Pentecostal)
Apostle Ruben Dario Aguirre
Sector La Candalaria, Frente al Centro Comercial La Doña,
Tocumen, Panama City
Four Sunday worship services with a seating capacity of 1,500;
total average attendance of about 5,000.

Ebenezer Church of Christ -
Iglesia de Cristo Ebenezer - Pastor German Ponce
(affiliated with Ebenezer Ministries of Guatemala)
500 metros Adelante de la Col. Campisa,
2do Anillo de Circunvalación (Exit to Ciudad Cortés), San Pedro Sula
Auditorium seats 3,000; has two Sunday worship services.
Total estimated Sunday attendance: 5,000

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2,000-4,999

Iglesia Lluvias de Gracia - Showers of Blessing Church
(Misión Cristiana Evangélica Lluvias de Gracia)
(New Apostolic Reformation Family of Churches)
Pastor Apostle Edmundo Madrid Morales
10 Avenida 16-70, Sector 5, Planes de Minerva
Zona 11, Municipality of Mixco, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 5,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 4,700

Iglesia El Shaddai - El Shaddai Church
(New Apostolic Reformation Family of Churches)
Pastora Cecilia de Caballeros (her husband is Apostle Harold Caballeros)
4 Calle 23-03, Zona 14, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 5,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 4,700

Centro Evangelístico de las Asambleas de Dios -
Evangelistic Center of the Assemblies of God
Pastor Olvidio Valladares
Colonia Javier Cuadras Montoya, Managua, Nicaragua
Auditorium seats 1,000 people; has six Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 4,500

Centro Cristiano Internacional - International Christian Center
Obispo Rene Peñalba y Pastor Alberto Solórzano
Residencial El Trapiche, Toncontin, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Auditorium seats 1,650 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 4,500

Iglesia de Dios Oasis de Amor - Oasis of Love Church of God
(Full Gospel Church of God, Cleveland, TN)
Pastora Ana Ruth Díaz
Aldea Cerro Grande, km 4 Carretera a Olancho, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Auditorium seats 1,500 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 4,500

Tabernáculo de la Fe - Tabernacle of Faith
(Full Gospel Church of God, Cleveland, TN)
Apostle Manuel A. Ruíz
Colonia Juan Díaz, Panama City, Panama
One Sunday worship services with a seating capacity of 5,000;
total average attendance of about 4,500.

Ministerio Iglesia Ejército de Dios - Army of God Church
(New Apostolic Reformation Family of Churches)
Apostle Carlos Morales y Pastor Saúl Espinosa
Calle 9, Colonia Río Abajo, Panama City, Panama
Two Sunday worship services with a seating capacity of 2,000;
total average attendance of about 4,000.

Shalom International Ministry - Ministerio Internacional Shalom
(New Apostolic Reformation Family of Churches)
Apostle Marco Argeñal
Barrio Medina, 8 y 10 Calle, 7 y 8 Avenida, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Two Sunday worship services with a seating capacity of 2,500;
total average attendance of about 4,000.

Assemblies of God Christian Center
Iglesia Asambleas de Dios "Centro Evangelístico"
Pastor Hugo Solís González
Zapote, San José, Costa Rica
Auditorium seats 2,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 4,000

Abundant Life Christian Community - Comunidad Cristiana "Vida Abundante"
(Federación de Iglesias Vida Abundante, FIVA; independent Pentecostal)
Pastor General Ricardo Salazar
San Antonio de Coronado, San José, Costa Rica
Auditorium seats 2,100 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,800

Eagles Nest Apostolic Mission - Misión Apostólica "Nido de Águilas" (MANA)
(MANA Internacional / Kingdom Takers Church -
formerly known as the International Charismatic Mission, MCI)
Pastor Apostle Guido Luís Núñez
La Uruca, San José, Costa Rica
Auditorium seats 1,800 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,800

Church of Jesus Christ "Palabra Mi-El" Central -
Iglesia de Jesucristo Palabra Mi-El Central
(independent Pentecostal: Mi-El = "Misión Elim")
Pastor Apostle Gaspar Sapalu Alvarado
Boulevard El Naranjo 29-55, Zona 4
Municipality of Mixco, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 3,500 people; has one Sunday worship service
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,400

Evangelistic Center of San Salvador -
Centro Evangelístico de San Salvador
(affiliated with the Assemblies of God)
Pastors Juan Angel and Edith Castro
2a Avenida Norte, Colonia La Rabida, San Salvador, El Salvador
Auditorium seats 1,500 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,000

Joshua Christian Church - Iglesia Cristiana Josué -
(affiliated with the Assemblies of God)
Pastor Lisandro Bojorquez
Avenida Mansferrer Sur, Colonia Campestre, San Salvador, El Salvador
Auditorium seats 1,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,000

Family Worship Center Church -
Iglesia Centro Familiar de Adoración
(affiliated with the Assemblies of God)
Pastor Francisco Karra
Colonia Santa Lucia, San Salvador, El Salvador
Auditorium seats 1,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,000

Christian Temple - Templo Cristiano
(affiliated with the Assemblies of God)
Pastor Orlando Flores
Colonia San Benito, San Salvador, El Salvador
Auditorium seats 1,800 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,000

Iglesia Cristiana Vida Real - Royal Life Christian Church
(independent Pentecostal)
Pastor Rony Madrid
Centro de Convenciones Ilumina
19 Avenida 16-02, Zona 10, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Auditorium seats 1,100 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,000

City of God - Ciudad de Dios
(Affiliated with Brethren in Christ Church)
Pastor Dr. Alex Alvarado
Hatillo District, San José, Costa Rica
Auditorium seats 1,000 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 3,000

Casa de Oración Cristiana - Christian House of Prayer
(General Council of the Assemblies of God)
Pastor Hermes Espino
Avenida Santa Elena, Panama City, Panama
Three Sunday worship services with a seating capacity of 950;
total average attendance of about 2,500.

Bible Temple of San Jose - Templo Bíblico de San José
(Asociación de Iglesias Bíblicas Costarricenses - AIBC)
Pastor Reynaldo Salazar
Downtown San José, 200 meters west of Parque Central, Costa Rica
Auditorium seats 800 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 2,400

Foursquare Gospel Center - Centro Evangélico Cuadrangular
Pastor Oswaldo Canales
5ta Avenida entre Calle 12 y 13, Comayaguela Centro, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Auditorium seats 700 people; has three Sunday worship services
Total estimated Sunday attendance = 2,100

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PRODUCED BY
PROLADES
PROGRAMA LATINOAMERICANO DE ESTUDIOS SOCIORRELIGIOSOS -
LATIN AMERICAN SOCIO-RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAM
Apartado 86-5000, Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Telephone: (506) 8820-7023; E-mail: prolades@ice.co.cr
Internet: www.prolades.com