Spaniard in Angola

People Name:	Spaniard
Country:	Angola
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	16,000
World Population:	29,944,500
Primary Language:	Spanish
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	95.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.10 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Spanish
Affinity Bloc:	Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

When you think of Spaniards, you think of Spain. However, groups of Spanish people live all over the world. This includes large Spanish populations in Argentina, Brazil, Germany, the USA, the UK and Australia.
A smaller group of Spanish people live in the southwestern African nation of Angola. Angola was a Portuguese colony for five centuries. During that time both Portuguese and Spanish people came to live and work in Angola. Angola finally became independent in 1975. Unfortunately, the new country experienced a civil war lasting 27 years.
Although potentially rich in gems, oil, minerals and metals, the people of Angola are still feeling the effects of the devastating war. Much of the population lives by subsistence agriculture.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Spanish people in Angola occupy the middle and upper classes. They own and run shops, restaurants, banks, businesses, coffee plantations and mines. The Europeans fill the highest levels of Angolese society. Some Angolese feel resentment towards the wealthy Westerners who live in their county.
Many Europeans fled Angola during the civil war. The country was deprived of many educated people and their financial resources. Since the peace of 2002, Spaniards and other Westerners have been returning to Angola and building the economy.
The Europeans tend to have smaller families compared to the Bantu peoples of Angola. Spaniards tend to marry other Europeans in Angola. They send their children to private schools where Portuguese and Spanish are the languages of instruction. Spaniards encourage their children to attend universities in Europe and in Angola.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Spanish people are nominally Roman Catholics. Only about 10% attend mass on a weekly basis. They get married and buried by the Roman Catholic church. Their children are baptized by Roman Catholic priests into the church. Most Spanish people in Angola are more concerned with their family's economic and social well-being rather than teachings of the Roman church.
Evangelical Christians believe that the Bible is the only source of authority for Christ's church. Roman Catholics see tradition and the official teachings of the Popes and bishops are equal to or superior to the Bible. Catholics pray to God, Mary and the saints while evangelicals pray only to God. Still evangelicals and Catholics have many beliefs in common such as the Trinity and the virgin birth, the deity, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What Are Their Needs?

Spaniards need to understand that they can have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Christianity is not a set of rules or system of morality. They can know for certain that their sins are forgiven and they have eternal life.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to revive the Roman Catholic church in Angola so that it focuses on Jesus Christ.
Pray for Angolese churches to be Christ centered rather than tradition centered.
Pray that the Lord sends disciplers to the Spanish people in Angola.
Pray for spiritual hunger and a discernment that will keep the Spanish people in Angola away from spiritual counterfeits.