Answers to Prayer

1 The rapid growth that has taken place in evangelical churches

2 Denominations are beginning to work together more

Challenges for Prayer

1 The Catholic Church has made a deep impact through an extensive educational system

2 Spiritism is still strong in Côte d'Ivoire, despite apparent numerical decline

3 Pray for unity and cooperation among Evangelicals

a) The Federation of Evangelical Churches, although it has existed for 36 years, has little to show for its efforts

b) National strategy must be developed

c) Pray that revival might break out among the pastors, church leaders, and members

4 The level of Bible knowledge and discipleship is low, partly a result of rapid church growth

5 Evangelical agencies had a late and slow start compared to other West African lands

6 Major missions

7 There are now several African mission agencies, some of which are denominational

a) Research

b) Missionary training

c) Sending

8 Peoples that are both unreached and unoccupied by missions or churches include the Muslim Soninke, Bambara, Wassulunke, Fulbe from several countries and the largely traditional Bisa – all peoples with their majorities in Burkina Faso, Mali or Ghana

9 Peoples needing pioneer mission work

a) The strongly Muslim peoples of the northwest

b) Marginally occupied peoples

c) The multiplicity of small language groups in the south

10 The large influx of foreigners presents unusual opportunities for evangelizing those who are separated from the strong ties of their tribal cultures

11 Islam spread and grew rapidly during the 20th Century – from 5% in 1900 to near 40% today

12 Demographic sectors of society needing the gospel:

a) Abidjan's exploding population, which doubles every 7-10 years, is the strategic key for evangelization of Côte d' Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso

b) AIDS is now a major problem in the country, with 14-16% of Abidjan's population already infected with the HIV virus – few churches or ministries have faced up to this challenge

c) Young people are responsive, and wherever churches minister specifically to them, there has been fruit

13 Literature

14 Bible translation is one of the most pressing and demanding ministries for Christian workers

15 Christian Media

a) A Christian radio station in Abidjan is an answer to prayer

b) TWR has a recording studio for producing daily messages

c) AEA's film studio, based in Abidjan, has started full production and will be used to produce culturally relevant programmes on video for transmission by national television stations across West Africa

d) The JESUS film is in use in the Baoulé, Bété, Guére, Gouro, Senufo-Cebaara, and Yakuba languages

e) GRN recordings have been prepared in 49 languages

f) Ivoirian Christian music has grown rapidly and seen the production of many quality tapes and videos

Geography

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Area 320,763 sq.km. On the West African coast between Ghana and Liberia.

Population (2000) 14,785,832 +1.79%AGR

Capital Yamoussoukro 166,800.

Peoples

Akan 31%; Gur 13%; Mande 12%; Kru 9%; South Mande 7%; Foreign Africans 27%; Other 1%.

Literacy 42.4%. Official language French, used by a high proportion of the population. Jula a trade language in the north and Abidjan. All languages 75. Languages with Scriptures 4Bi 21NT 21por 23w.i.p.

Economy

One of the world's largest producers of cocoa, coffee and palm oil. HDI 0.422; 154^th/173. Public debt 100% of GNP. Income/person $710 (2.2% of USA).

Politics

Independent from France in 1960.

Religion

Complete religious freedom.

Churches in Côte d'Ivoire

Missionaries from Côte d'Ivoire

57 in 11 agencies to 11 countries

Missionaries to Côte d'Ivoire

1,109 in 73 agencies from 31 countries

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