A DRUNK STANDS IN FRONT OF CLOSED CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1997-06-20 (photo)

FOR RELEASE WITH STORY BC PERU EVANGELICAL - A drunk stands in the town square of Quispillacta-Ayacucho in front of the closed Catholic church, on June 6. ln Peru the Evangelical church made slow progress until the beginning of the Maoist Shining Path's guerrilla activities in 1980. As the Catholic church retreated from rural areas during the troubles, the Evangelical group's dedication to finding new converts meant they stubbornly stayed on and thrived as the only grass roots religious outlet for the population. That commitment has paid dividends. Fifteen years ago, just three per cent of the population of Ayacucho professed to be Evangelicals. Now, the figure is 22 per cent. PERU EVANGELICALS