Burkina Faso is a small but densely populated nation in western Africa. Islam and local fetishism serve as the religion of choice for most people. Burkinabe and SIM missionaries partner together in seven locations. In addition to providing short-term Bible schools in each region, SIM is also committed to the task of translating the Bible into local languages, reaching youth and street children, clean water development, and developing HIV and AIDS-related ministries.
Country & Ministry Profile
Burkina Faso is made up of more than 72 distinct ethno-linguistic groups. The nation is blessed with religious freedom and with recent strong church growth in some areas. Some Muslim groups are beginning to respond to the Gospel. But idolatry, fetishism, and secret societies dominate daily life, sometimes underlying a Christian profession.
Improvements in the nation’s education have caused restlessness and frustration among the young people who are now better educated than their parents. Churches struggle to provide appealing programmes for children and young people. Many young people leave home for the city, where it is reported that many of them convert to Islam within a few months.
SIM’s partner church has sent missionaries within Burkina Faso and to Benin. Burkinabe and SIM missionaries work together to reach the Fulani in seven locations, providing short-term Bible schools in each region. A missionary training centre has recently been established, and two long term Bible schools provide teaching in both French and Gourma, combining training for community development with biblical and ministry training.
The entire Bible in Gourma was published in 2005. Bible translation for the Fulani people is in process. Radio is a growing means of outreach, and the church is taking on an increasing role in this area. Ministries have been developed to reach street children and youth, and Mission and Church together are developing AIDS-related ministries.
SIM’s Partner Church
In 1962, the Association des Eglises Evangéliques de Burkina Faso was formed. This association, now called Eglises Evangélique/SIM (EE/SIM), SIM’s partner church, has 465 organised churches and 40 developing churches. Together they provide 11 vernacular Bible schools in seven locations throughout Burkina Faso. EE/SIM has sent missionaries within Burkina Faso and to their neighboring country of Benin. An estimated 8% of the nation's population is evangelical Christian.
There are 32 people groups considered unreached in Burkina Faso, of which none were considered receptive as recently as 1987. Generally, the animistic people groups are more open than the Muslim people groups.
History of Christianity
Roman Catholic missionaries began work in 1900 and today the Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in Burkina Faso. It is presently experiencing growth at the rate of 12,000 converts a year, having its greatest success among the Mossi people (11% claim Catholicism).
In 1921 North American Pentecostals arrived in Burkina Faso, establishing the Assemblies of God denomination, which is now the largest Protestant denomination. The Christian and Missionary Alliance entered in 1923, followed by SIM in 1930, World Evangelization Crusade (WEC) in 1937, and the Southern Baptists in 1971.
SIM opened work at Fada N'Gourma among the Gourma people in the east. Two Bible schools have emerged out of SIM's ministry there. In 1962 the Association des Eglises Evangéliques de Burkina Faso was formed. This association, now called Eglises Evangélique/SIM (EE/SIM), has 465 organised churches and 40 developing churches among four people groups. There are also 11 vernacular Bible schools. An estimated 8% of the nation's population is evangelical Christian.
Burkina Faso is increasingly receptive to the message of Jesus, and missionaries are welcome. Practical ministry lends credibility, and a readiness to listen is more evident than in previous years. Work is slow, however, and only recently has the church experienced growth. Muslims are generally not receptive, but some groups like the Mossi, Bobo, and Gourma show increasing signs of interest.
Please pray for
- spiritual growth to accompany numerical growth of the church and that the church will continue to grow in financial responsibility.
- increasing numbers of Burkinabé missionaries to be sent out by the church and for the whole church to be more involved in prayer and financial support of these missionaries.
- the Fulani team, in collaboration with Fulani believers, to take advantage of opportunities God presents to them in developing ministry with creativity, wisdom, and courage.
- a spiritual breakthrough in the north of Burkina among Muslims (Fulani and others).
- the training of leaders who will in turn be able to effectively apply and teach a leadership training programme throughout the ministry areas of SIM and the church.
- workers for ministry in Mali and among the Tamajaq people of Burkina Faso. growth in effectiveness in our medical ministries and the Burkinabé leadership team of these institutions.
- further development of media outreach in all areas. provision of the funds needed for continuing development of AIDS ministries, and the church in every region to take its involvement seriously. continued Burkinabé training and leadership in the area of children’s ministry and for growth in vision among church leaders for this ministry.
