Answers to Prayer

1 The firstfruits of conversions from among the Wodaabe Fulbe and Manga Kanuri Muslims

2 Many churches have been planted through the impact of humanitarian help by Christians through well-digging, leprosy control and health services

3 The establishment of an evangelical movement which is united, visionary and cross-denominational — the Alliance of Evangelical Churches and Missions (AMEEN)

4 The great increase of churches in Niamey — from 1 evangelical church in 1975 to over 50 in 2000

Challenges for Prayer

1 This Muslim land is open for the gospel, and Muslims are more receptive than ever before, yet response has been small and church growth slow

2 The number of professing Christians has actually declined since independence — largely because many of the Catholics were French expatriates who have now left the country

3 Significant prayer challenges:

a) Many believers are isolated, often illiterate and rarely have systematic Bible teaching available

b) There are not enough mature leaders

c) Leadership training

4 This pioneer land still needs missionaries

5 The least reached of Niger

a) The Tuareg, once rich, but now impoverished and resentful

b) The Zarma, who are Muslim but strongly influenced by traditional practices

c) The five Kanuri peoples have a long history of 1,000 years of Islam

d) The Fulbe (Fulani)

e) The Songhai were reached out to by SIM in 1989. Two couples are now working among them

f) The Tubu peoples in the east

6 There may be over 14 unreached peoples with no work among them, but investigations are underway for ministry

7 Bible translation and distribution

8 Young people have been the most responsive, yet little has been done to minister to this key section of the nation

9 Specialist Christian

a) SIM's medical ministry through the Galmi hospital and also in Danja through leprosy control has successfully opened hearts for the Gospel

b) The many prostitutes in the capital are the focus of a significant outreach by CAPRO

c) Christian literature. Poverty and illiteracy are severe limitations

d) The audio-media ministry which has been inadequately funded or exploited

e) The JESUS film has been widely viewed in 5 languages; a further 8 are in preparation

Geography

click to enlarge

Area 1,186,408 sq.km. Sahara desert in centre and north.

Population (2000) 10,730,102 +3.24%AGR

Capital Niamey 1,000,000.

Peoples

Chadic 46.3%; Nilo-Saharan 27%; Tuareg 12.2%; Fulbe (Fula) 10%; Arab 2.3%; Gur 1.3%; Other 0.9%.

Literacy 17%. Official language French. Language of wider communication Hausa. All languages 21. Languages with Scriptures 3Bi 5NT 4por 8w.i.p.

Economy

Mining of uranium and other minerals has brought some economic development to this impoverished land, but in the 1980s the Sahel famine, collapse of the uranium market and Nigeria's closure of the common border devastated the economy. HDI 0.298; 173^rd/174. Public debt 68% of GNP. Income/person $200 (0.9% of USA).

Politics

For centuries the Tuareg dominated much of the Sahel.

Religion

A non-confessional state with considerable freedom of religion and few restrictions on mission work.

Churches in Niger

Missionaries from Niger

45 in 8 agencies, nearly all in Niger.

Missionaries to Niger

343 in 35 agencies from 29 countries

click for legend

Internet Links