Mozambique is a nation on the southeast coast of Africa, bordered on the north by Tanzania, the west by Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and the south by South Africa and Swaziland. Mozambique has an (510 mile section of the Zambezi River, which is navigable for 286 miles.

Current SIM Ministry

Mozambique has enjoyed peace and religious freedom since the war ended in 1992. It has, at times, been called the world's poorest country due to colonial exploitation (470 years) followed by 30 years of brutal guerrilla warfare and many years of Marxist oppression. The infrastructure was devastated but now is slowly being rebuilt.

For many years missionaries have been burdened for the northernmost provinces of the country, which have the least exposure to Gospel witness. A thrust into Niassa Province, especially to the Yao and Makua people, is now in process. Longstanding efforts at developing local language materials, including Scripture, continue. In the midst of much poverty and need, the team seeks to develop health and community programmes to minister to human need.

SIM's Partner Church

Until January 2001, SIM worked exclusively with the Igreja União Baptista de Moçambique. It is now registered as an interdenominational mission agency in the country and is developing a wider circle of ministry relationships.

Unreached People

About one million coastal Makhua are unreached Muslims. Other Muslim peoples with very few churches are the Makonde, Yao, and Nyungwe.

History of Christianity

Dominican missionaries arrived in Mozambique as early as 1506 with the advance of Portuguese maritime discoveries. During the next century and a half, Dominicans, Jesuits and Augustinians actively worked on the southern coast and in the region of the Zambezi River. Sustained work among most of the tribes north of the Save River began at the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

In 1893, the Anglicans established a permanent mission station at Unango. Anglicans exert their greatest influence among the Nyanja-speakers of northwestern Mozambique.

Following World War I, a new missionary upsurge began with the entry of Scandinavian Baptists, International Holiness Mission, South Africa General Mission (AEF/SIM), Nazarenes, Seventh-Day Adventists, and two Pentecostal bodies from the USA and Canada. More recently, AIM, Wycliffe, Reformed, Nazarenes, and others have arrived.

For many years SIM has been burdened for the northernmost provinces of Mozambique, which have the least exposure to gospel witness. Today SIM's work centres in Niassa Province, bordering Malawi and Tanzania. Cuamba is the largest town, and is a convenient starting place for sharing the Word of God with the Makhua people who have not heard the message of Jesus' love and salvation.

• guidance for our teams in working with the Yao, Nyanja, and Makua people groups perseverance, wisdom, and dedication in culture and language learning.
• progress in the Lomwe Bible translation and the production of Bible portions and materials in Lomwe.
• innovative wisdom to develop programmes (such as health clinics, community development, literacy, HIV & AIDS, education, and English teaching) in order to improve peoples’ lives and open doors for effective evangelism.
• evangelists and church planters with a pioneering spirit in reaching Muslim and animist people groups.
• people with leadership and discipling skills to work with church groups. Chiunjota radio station reaching the Yao people.
• Laulane Bible School: opportunities to teach church leaders in knowing the Bible and following God’s teachings.