OVERVIEW (CONT) Why Peru? The decision to hold the gathering in Peru is based on the following factors: 1. Peru is where the Middle Eastern leaders choose to have their historic meeting with the Latin world and where they envision making their base for trade with South America. 2. The Church in Peru has been awakened as a result of this new reality at their doorstep, and have overwhelmingly expressed their willingness to serve as host for this international event. As a result, the event has the support of the entire national church, which will be a great contributing factor to the success of the gathering. 3. Peru is a spiritual gateway for Latin America, with the Andes mountains forming the "high-place" of the continent, as well as being the historic seat of the Inca civilization (and even older civilizations, as attested to in the recent discovery of 36 pyramids near Lima which predate the pyramids in Egypt). Thus it should come as no surprise that the spiritual forces of darkness over Islam have chosen this country as their gateway entry point into the continent. Summary of Purpose and Outcomes In summary, Lima-Peru 2013 will seek to accomplish five basic objectives to respond to the challenge and opportunity before us: 1. Raise awareness about the increasing presence of Islamic power and influence in Latin America. 2. Bring together the best experts on Islam from around the world to teach and equip church leaders and mission leaders how to respond appropriately to this challenge. 3. Awaken a new generation of missionaries from the Latin Church to take the gospel to the Middle East, and educate them concerning the needs of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims. 4. Seek the Lord and hear his voice so we might give a clear challenge and united message to the church in the form of a "global mission council" in the pattern of the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 and other church councils throughout history. 5. Devise the beginnings of an action plan for the entire continent to effectively give a long-term response to the growing Islamic influence in the region, as well as strategize about how to harness the open door for Latinos to engage in business and professional work in the Middle East.