Nigeria (MNN) — As Christians around the world prepared to celebrate Christmas, the day turned into a nightmare for over 32 Christian villages in central Nigeria.
By Lyndsey Koh | January 5, 2024
Nigeria (MNN) — As Christians around the world prepared to celebrate Christmas, the day turned into a nightmare for over 32 Christian villages in central Nigeria.
On Christmas Eve, Muslim extremists went on a killing spree that lasted into the following Christmas Day — largely targeting believers, pastors, and their families.
At least 160 people were killed; mostly women, children, and elderly. Greg Kelley, CEO of Unknown Nations (formerly World Mission), says the death toll could be closer to 300.
However, from both the Nigerian government and the international community, there has been very little outcry.
Kelley says in Nigeria, “There’s been one administration elected after another who these atrocities are falling on deaf ears, and the frustration that is mounting within the Christian community is almost indescribable because these terrorists are attacking ruthlessly these communities.
“I mean, they’re not just killing people. They’re torturing people. They’re taking children from their parents. They’re killing the elderly. They’re taking people’s homes and possessions and just occupying them. It is living hell for these people.”
In 2021, the Biden Administration in the United States removed Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, despite the strong recommendation by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and ongoing bipartisan appeals.
The Biden Administration’s failure to reconsider Nigeria as a CPC means less international pressure on these human rights violations and attacks on Nigerian Christians.
“One of the ways you can put pressure is you put them on these terrorist lists and call it out,” says Kelley. “That affects foreign funding, that affects aid that’s coming in, that affects these meetings that Secretary of State levels are having. In the absence of that, it allows the perpetrators to run scot-free.”
Unknown Nations works with over 150 local missionaries in this area of Nigeria. Kelley says, “We’re constantly having to relocate them when the attacks happen. They’re running for their lives as well along with all the other civilians. So we’re constantly having to move missionaries from place to place.
The astounding thing is, “They’re trying to save their lives and that of their families, but they are as bold and courageous as anyone we’ve ever met. So they will go back in there and they’re happy to share the Gospel in these areas, but it’s the constant disruption. It makes it very difficult for Gospel activity.”
These disciples of Christ are passionately sharing God’s Word in North Eastern Nigeria.
Unknown Nations is currently in touch with Nigerian Christians affected by the Christmas massacre, and offering tangible biblical support.
“There is a ton of trauma that we are dealing with right now for the missionaries and the survivors. So we are really mobilizing into having trauma healing training for those survivors to help them navigate this and to go through a journey in a biblical way.”
Pray for justice, comfort, and deep healing from the trauma. Pray also for the attackers to have profound encounters with Jesus Christ, that they would know God’s forgiveness and grace, and take the Gospel to their own communities.
Pray for the Church and the world to wake up to what is happening to our Nigerian Christian brothers and sisters.
Header photo courtesy of Tope A Asokere/Unsplash.
Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/little-outcry-for-christmas-massacre-in-central-nigeria/
International (MNN) — Do you know the difference between anti-conversion and blasphemy laws?
Greg Kelley of Unknown Nations, formerly World Mission, explains, “Anti-conversion laws boil down to proselytizing. Blasphemy is where people are thrown in jail over what somebody said they heard.”
By Katey Hearth | January 3, 2024
International (MNN) — Do you know the difference between anti-conversion and blasphemy laws?
Greg Kelley of Unknown Nations, formerly World Mission, explains, “Anti-conversion laws boil down to proselytizing. Blasphemy is where people are thrown in jail over what somebody said they heard.”
For example, in the case of blasphemy laws, “There will be third-party accusations that have no merit, yet [they become] actionable,” Kelley says.
“[Believers are] thrown in jail, or beaten, or mobs show up and burn your house down.”
Authorities often use these laws as tools to persecute Christ-followers around the world. Vigilante mobs accuse Christians of breaking these laws and then use the supposed violation as an excuse to attack believers.
“The biggest issue is that there’s no accountability; the government doesn’t do anything to hold these people accountable,” Kelley says.
In one location where Unknown Nations trains Christian leaders, “They (assailants) were attacking a group of Christians in their home,” Kelley says.
“The mob is outside chanting, ‘Death to Christians’ and dragging people out of this home, beating them.”
A recent United States Commission on International Religious Freedom report found that nearly one in four countries has a national anti-conversion law on the books. Often, these countries are home to unreached people groups, or communities without access to the Gospel.
Partner with Unknown Nations to help change this reality.
Unknown Nations is “distributing Bibles, training leaders, doing strategic humanitarian projects” in strategic locations, Kelley says.
“99 percent of our resources, our dollars, are going into places where the Gospel is already established. We need to begin prioritizing places that have never heard of Jesus.”
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Christine Roy/Unsplash.
Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/how-do-anti-conversion-laws-and-blasphemy-laws-differ-and-why-does-it-matter/
Inside the Rohingya refugee camp, our indigenous leader hand selected several Rohingya believers to distribute Treasure audio Bibles among their people. Fazal (name changed for protection), is one of those indigenous missionaries. He came to know Christ and was baptized in 2018, shortly after fleeing Myanmar with his family.
Inside the Rohingya refugee camp, our indigenous leader hand selected several Rohingya believers to distribute Treasure audio Bibles among their people. Fazal (name changed for protection), is one of those indigenous missionaries. He came to know Christ and was baptized in 2018, shortly after fleeing Myanmar with his family.
Fazal has been working with our team for the past year and a half. He is a faithful follower of Christ, risking his life to share the gospel. Our leader shared, “It is hard for them to do this job. Very risky. But they go around every day distributing Treasures. They get their bag, put Treasures in, and go from camp to camp praying for open doors.”
Fazal hosts a weekly get together for his home church. The numbers of this group were steadily growing until a recent political uprising surrounding the upcoming election when the attendance sharply dropped. Our leader has regular check-ins with Fazal and they prayed together over the group and for the attendance to grow.
The following week, Fazal was gathered with the other believers during their regular meeting time when a group showed up. Due to the fierce persecution that many Christians face from Muslims inside of the camp, Fazal and the others thought they were under attack. Before they were able to run away, the group showed them their Treasures that they had previously received. The newcomers told them that they wanted to learn more about the gospel and asked if they could join!
It was a beautiful answer to prayer! What started as a home church with dwindling numbers became a room overflowing with participants hungry to hear the Good News. For the past month, this group has continued to fill the meeting space.
Join us in prayer for the Rohingya refugees. Pray for good health, amidst the challenging living conditions in the camp. Additionally, please lift up Fazal and his home church, praying for their safety, the continual opening of doors, and an enduring boldness to share their faith.
Nigeria (MNN) — Massacres have become legitimate daily threats for Christians in Nigeria.
That’s a horrifying reality, but it is reality. Again and again, religious extremists such as the Fulani herdsmen slaughter civilians. They frequently target Christians for their faith. The cost of following Christ for Nigerians is often death.
By Alex Anhalt | December 27, 2023
Nigeria (MNN) — Massacres have become legitimate daily threats for Christians in Nigeria.
That’s a horrifying reality, but it is reality. Again and again, religious extremists such as the Fulani herdsmen slaughter civilians. They frequently target Christians for their faith. The cost of following Christ for Nigerians is often death.
But according to Greg Kelley of Unknown Nations, the vicious and bloodthirsty dogma driving these attacks is leaving locals with questions. “In a lot of places like Nigeria, Afghanistan, Somalia, when the radicalization of Islam is front and center, I think even moderate Muslims start looking at that,” Kelley says. “Their worldview is challenged to the core.”
For example, the way these extremists treat women is often horrific. “People with daughters. when they see how atrocious women and females are treated, they don’t want their daughters to live in that,” Kelley says.
This leads to open minds which are ripe for sowing the Gospel. “The gospel is presented to them. [They] become very open to the message of love and peace and reconciliation. It doesn’t matter who you are, you would have an appetite for that and desire that of your family.”
When Christians are being actively hunted for their faith, there are drastic consequences for curiosity into Christianity, let alone conversion. “They realize if they’re exposed, if the proselytization of individuals sharing the gospel is exposed, there will be great consequences and they will be targeted,” Kelley says. “[And yet] they’re willing to pay that price and accept it for what they believe is a much brighter future.”
There are other obstacles to sharing Christ’s message, including illiteracy. One solution to several of those issues is audio bibles. Unknown Nations distributes thousands of solar-powered audio Bibles in localized languages. If you want to support Unknown Nations’ projects, you can do so right here.
In the meantime, pray that the radical compassion of the Gospel overcomes rampant violence in Nigeria. In the words of Kelley: “The message of Jesus is very different. It’s one of love, even for your fiercest, most aggressive enemy. Jesus called us to pray for them. And when they see that, quite honestly, it shocks and opens up their heart to the message of the Gospel.
“The key is getting into where the flames are the hottest, rushing in there, and ensuring the salvation message of Jesus.”
Header photo courtesy of Unsplash.
Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/extremists-massacre-nigerian-christians/
South Asia (MNN) — Pakistan arrested 19 young people on blasphemy charges in 2023, according to a story circulating on several India-based news outlets. The allegations claim six kids were formally charged with blasphemy.
By Katey Hearth | December 12, 2023
South Asia (MNN) — Pakistan arrested 19 young people on blasphemy charges in 2023, according to a story circulating on several India-based news outlets. The allegations claim six kids were formally charged with blasphemy.
MNN could not verify the story, but blasphemy convictions are common in Pakistan. This summer, blasphemy accusations led to significant mob violence against a predominantly Christian neighborhood in Pakistan’s third-largest city.
Whether the recent claim by Legal Awareness Watch is valid or not, “The shock value when people see 19 children held accountable and punished over this [is compelling]; every family that is non-Muslim [is] going to be terrified,” Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says.
“They don’t want their children to be thrown in jail. So, it changes behavior, and that is the ultimate objective of these laws – to change the behavior and terrorize minority religions.”
Blasphemy laws provide legal grounds to persecute Christians in Pakistan. Across the border, India’s anti-conversion laws target believers. More about that here.
“They’re trying to suppress the sharing of the Gospel” in South Asia, Kelley says.
“They don’t want their children to be thrown in jail. So, it changes behavior, and that is the ultimate objective of these laws – to change the behavior and terrorize minority religions.”
Blasphemy laws provide legal grounds to persecute Christians in Pakistan. Across the border, India’s anti-conversion laws target believers. More about that here.
“They’re trying to suppress the sharing of the Gospel” in South Asia, Kelley says.
Church planters and indigenous missionaries press on despite the danger. “They’re driven by something far greater than what their eyes can see,” Kelley says.
“They’re driven by the eternal destiny of these individuals [who do not know] Jesus. When we hear about places like India and Pakistan, we need to be mindful that a lot of work needs to happen from the church’s standpoint. There are twice as many unreached people groups in India than there are in the continent of Africa.”
The Great Commission calls every believer to sacrifice. “Going” and “making disciples” could cost a believer their comfort and financial security. Or, the task could cost a Christ-follower’s life.
“Every month, we hear of one of our leaders who was killed. We don’t understand it here in America, yet it’s the reality in the places where the Gospel has not been,” Kelley says.
What can you give today? “The greatest resource is prayer. It’s not something said by different guests on Mission Network News because it sounds nice and religious,” Kelley says.
“It is a war, and the greatest weapon we have in our possession as followers of Jesus is to call down the powers of heaven, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the presence of Jesus Christ, to infuse these areas with Good News.”
Original Article Posted Here: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/how-much-does-the-gospel-cost-in-south-asia/
T and S are neighbors. After the Taliban seized control, the situation in their village rapidly worsened. Six months ago, T’s husband went to a bigger city to find work and never returned home. Her neighbor, S, is a widow. As women living under the Taliban’s control, they are not allowed to work or leave their homes. If they do, they could face severe punishment.
T and S are neighbors. After the Taliban seized control, the situation in their village rapidly worsened. Six months ago, T’s husband went to a bigger city to find work and never returned home. Her neighbor, S, is a widow. As women living under the Taliban’s control, they are not allowed to work or leave their homes. If they do, they could face severe punishment.
At one point, these women went three days without any food. They lost all hope and decided to take their own lives and the lives of their children. At the same time, a member from our indigenous leader’s team had a dream. In this dream, God spoke to him and told him to go to a village that was over 100 miles away. He also gave him the names of two woman in that village who needed food because they intended to end their lives. Then God said, “Tell them I love them and I have bigger plans for them.”
This team member faithfully responded to the directions God gave him and went to the village with bags of food. With the help of some locals, he reached T’s house and knocked on her door. When she answered, the team member said, “Here is a food packet for you and I have one more for a woman named S.”
After they had received their food, the team member shared with T and S who had sent him. They both answered, “We don’t know who this Jesus is, we’ve never heard about Him.” And in this beautiful moment, doors opened for these women to hear the gospel message and about a God who loves them. Both T and S repented and surrendered their lives to Jesus. They were also given audio Bibles in their heart language to continue learning and growing in the Lord.
While we can’t share the full details of this story due to security reasons, we can’t help but be humbled by the amazing ways God is moving to make His name known. T and S’s story has only begun, please join us in praying for these brand new believers! Pray that as they listen to God’s Word, He will reveal Himself more fully and strengthen their faith as they discover the big plans that God has for their lives.
Many new believers are coming out of the Pashtun Nation, Pakistan’s largest people group and Afghanistan’s second largest. With well over 39 million Pashtun spanning across Southern and Central Asia, less than 0.01% have decided to follow Jesus. These new brothers and sisters in Christ are making waves and will drastically affect this statistic!
Many new believers are coming out of the Pashtun Nation, Pakistan’s largest people group and Afghanistan’s second largest. With well over 39 million Pashtun spanning across Southern and Central Asia, less than 0.01% have decided to follow Jesus. These new brothers and sisters in Christ are making waves and will drastically affect this statistic!
We had chosen a small village with a tube well to baptize 151 new believers, several of whom were Pashtun. For three days, many small villages in Pakistan had no electricity. Some of the team members informed us that there was no electricity in this village, making the water pump useless and resulting in an empty tank. The electric company said that it would take at least five days for the electricity to be restored. We were asked to postpone our visit, but we simply could not due to previous commitments. After much discussion, we decided to step out in faith and lean on Jesus completely. We kept everything as is and said, “Jesus will provide us with water for the baptisms!”
When we arrived at this village, it was beautiful, special and powerful. Our team and the new believers gathered around the tube well and began praising and worshiping. Everyone was looking at the empty well and no one had any idea of how we could fill it with water. The Holy Spirit placed on our hearts, “Bend on your knees and pray for electricity to be restored now in Jesus’ name!”
We responded to His voice and everyone, including the new believers, bent on our knees and prayed for electricity to be restored in Jesus’ name, but nothing happened. We prayed again and nothing happened. We prayed for the third time, but this time we prayed for electricity to be restored NOW in Jesus’ name! Guess what happened next? Electricity was restored and the tube well began working immediately. Everyone was rejoicing and thanking God for this beautiful miracle!
Without wasting a moment, we began our water baptisms. It was unbelievable to witness the power of our living God, He touched everyone and gave them new lives.
Brother F, who had severe chest pain, received miraculous healing when he came out of the water. Sister A, who had sores on her body, received healing when she came out of the water! The Spirit was moving massively and we witnessed many more miracles.
After we completed our water baptisms, the electricity went off again! We believe that heaven is rejoicing and celebrating right now as more souls are added to the Kingdom of God! Each of these newly baptized believers are excited to grow in the Lord and many will be trained in our newly built discipleship training center. They are eager to take the gospel to those who do not yet know Jesus, even at the risk of their own lives.
"Unstoppable revival is breaking out in Pakistan! Jesus is changing this Islamic land into a land of believers. We gave 151 water baptisms to new believers including extremists, brothel heads, slum mafia chiefs, and drug sellers! Truth is breaking the shackles of darkness and setting many free from the bondage of Satan."
- Unknown Nations Director of Ministry Pakistan and Afghanistan
While our U.S. team was in India, we visited underground communities of believers from the state of Bihar, India. Bihar, considered “The graveyard of missions”, has the largest concentration of unreached people groups in the world.
While our U.S. team was in India, we visited underground communities of believers from the state of Bihar, India. Bihar, considered “The graveyard of missions”, has the largest concentration of unreached people groups in the world.
We had the privilege of meeting a woman from one of these people groups, a world changer named Rinku. Rinku is from the Bhuiya People, a nation consisting of 1,768,000 individuals who are viewed as “untouchables” and “rat eaters”, looked down upon by most of Indian society and considered to be at the very bottom of the caste hierarchy. Hinduism has dominated their culture, leaving a mere sixteenth of a percent of all Bhuiya that serve Jesus.
A short time ago, Rinku had a powerful experience and came to know Jesus through listening to the Treasure. In less than a year’s time, she has led thirty men and seventy women to Jesus! Not only this, but she has been discipling them, answering their questions and teaching them to walk in His ways.
Rinku is an inspiring model of dedicating everything she is and everything she has to sharing the gospel. She has physical limitations caused by polio and lives a very humble lifestyle. The only way that she can walk is by picking up each foot with her hand and placing it in front of the other.
When one of our leaders knelt in front of her and asked, “If I could pray for anything for you, what would it be?” Without hesitation, she asked for more Holy Spirit boldness to share the gospel with others! After praying with our team, Rinku said that she would like to donate a piece of property that she had just inherited to build a church for her community. Even though she is handicapped and lives in poverty, her greatest desire? Jesus.
Rinku has a motorized tricycle! Following our team’s trip, we were inspired to further mobilize this dedicated leader’s outreach ministry. She is now able to travel longer distances to distribute Treasures and share the gospel message!
The Burmese Nation is the largest people group in Myanmar, over thirty-one million individuals. Buddhism overshadows the Burmese society so strongly that only one third of one percent of this people group are estimated to be following Jesus. Anyone who decides to follow Him is doing so at the risk of their very own life.
The Burmese Nation is the largest people group in Myanmar, over thirty-one million individuals. Buddhism overshadows the Burmese society so strongly that only one third of one percent of this people group are estimated to be following Jesus. Anyone who decides to follow Him is doing so at the risk of their very own life.
Even amidst the crisis of the ongoing coup in Myanmar, our leaders are continuing to diligently follow up with those who received Treasures during the 2022 Christmas outreach. During the outreach, the gospel was clearly shared and Treasures were strategically gifted to those who expressed an interest in knowing more. For many, it was their very first time hearing about Jesus.
After eagerly listening to their audio Bibles for over six months, some not missing a single day, these dear Burmese individuals had a strong desire to know more about Jesus, and had many questions! As a part of the follow up, our team shared with them for two days, explaining everything in detail from creation to salvation.
Among these first time hearers is U Hla, who decided to only follow Jesus after listening to the Treasure and meeting with the same culture missionaries who were following up with him so closely. Before becoming a believer, U Hla identified as a witch and had a strong influence in the community. When he made the decision to change the course of his life, his wife and son soon followed.
Our leader shared, “We baptized the whole family. He shared his testimony of receiving Jesus by listening to the Treasure with tears of joy. In accordance with his proposal, we removed all materials of witchery and various idols of his former religions from his home. Now, he puts his Treasure in that same place! They continue to listen to it by inviting some of their neighbors to join.”
"The Lord is doing great things among our people by the Treasures, beyond our imagination, even though we confront the worst situation ever in our nation."
- Director of Ministry Southeast Asia
The Afar Nation, spanning across NE Ethiopia, is made up of 2,155,000 men, women, and children - over ninety-nine percent adhering strictly to the Islamic religion. Although a very beautiful people, they are known to be exceptionally resistant to the gospel. Mission initiatives through the decades have proven to be difficult, but God is stirring young hearts and preparing laborers for the harvest field. We believe that now is the time!
The Afar Nation, spanning across NE Ethiopia, is made up of 2,155,000 men, women, and children - over ninety-nine percent adhering strictly to the Islamic religion. Although a very beautiful people, they are known to be exceptionally resistant to the gospel. Mission initiatives through the decades have proven to be difficult, but God is stirring young hearts and preparing laborers for the harvest field. We believe that now is the time!
While in the capital of the Afar region, our CEO shared of some exciting happenings just off campus at a popular university. Students from all over Ethiopia travel to study here, some of them followers of Jesus. These Christian students have been forbidden by the leadership to have any sort of a spiritual presence on the property: no gathering together, no prayer, no reading of Scripture. Instead, they were pointed to a desolate area hundreds of feet away covered with rocks. If they wanted to continue these practices, this was the designated space.
The students have since strategically re-arranged the heavy rocks for seating and even created a pulpit of sorts. Each rock that you see represents one or more students who spend hours in this place. With no shade from the hot, 115 degree sun, these young people have been faithfully gathering at 2pm each day to pray and seek the face of God! They are praying for their precious country, and especially, for the lost Afar around them. This special place has been dubbed “Rock Chapel”.
In this region, the very heart of the Afar territory, there is not a single evangelical church to be found. In its place are countless mosques stretching across the desert. This is about to change.
We just heard word that several of these believing students have decided to fully dedicate their lives to reaching the Afar Nation. They came to this university as students, but they will be leaving as missionaries to those they have been fervently interceding for! These young people are eager to be raised up and will be trained in the ministry.
"Untold millions are still untold... We shall cooperate. We shall merge our strengths. We shall collaborate and work as one man to achieve heavenly vision."
- Indigenous Leader in Ethiopia
Audio Bibles and micro SD cards are powerful tools for crisis intervention. Through relationships with our indigenous network on the field, we are able to custom load micro SD cards with whatever content would be especially helpful for ministry. While the Bible and biblical stories are always key, at times we’ve been able to include valuable messaging on healing, sanitation, and even Christian music depending on what’s available in the local language.
“God is doing mighty things through the Treasure Bibles. Churches have been started through the Treasure Bibles. God has blessed our partnership in the Gospel that many communities are beginning to hear the Gospel for the very first time.”
—Philippines Indigenous Leader
Audio Bibles and micro SD cards are powerful tools for crisis intervention. Through relationships with our indigenous network on the field, we are able to custom load micro SD cards with whatever content would be especially helpful for ministry. While the Bible and biblical stories are always key, at times we’ve been able to include valuable messaging on healing, sanitation, and even Christian music depending on what’s available in the local language.
Our team in the Philippines recently ministered among a community with high suicide rates. They distributed specially loaded micro SD cards along with audio Bibles. The team said that God’s presence was felt strongly in that place when they shared the Word of God with the people.
The people in the village were breaking down, weeping with conviction and a new found hope. They want the team to come back and share more. Because the audio Bible is making such an impact, our leaders have been reaching out and asking for us to send more.
This is a request we’re constantly receiving from the field. We can’t thank you enough for supporting our ministry and reaching the ends of the Earth with the gospel message. Please be praying for these communities as the love of Christ is breaking down walls and hearts are softened to the Good News.
Your support is making an impact in spreading the good news to ALL Nations!
There is a question that every follower of Jesus should be keenly aware of and prepared to answer. That question may seem simple but its answer affects all of us who call upon His mighty name as our Lord and Savior. It provides alignment for our life, purpose for our existence and vision for us to pour our one life into!
Dear friend,
There is a question that every follower of Jesus should be keenly aware of and prepared to answer. That question may seem simple but its answer affects all of us who call upon His mighty name as our Lord and Savior. It provides alignment for our life, purpose for our existence and vision for us to pour our one life into!
The beautiful thing is that Jesus himself answers this question in the gospel of Luke.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him. - Luke 4:18-19
Your opportunity, my friend, is to carry out this assignment to a broken world. The Holy Spirit living in you has the power to break down strongholds and to set the captives free. You’ll notice that Jesus did not just care for the spiritual need but also the physical one. Acts of compassion open hearts to the gospel! Jesus fed the multitudes and then He preached the Good News. Showing compassion for physical needs is part of Christ’s character and vital for carrying out the Great Commission.
At Unknown Nations, we have embraced 3 specific expressions of acts of compassion as a means to open hearts to the gospel. In fact, we never carry out one of these projects in the absence of a gospel witness! Our acts of compassion are clean water projects, emergency relief and medical outreaches.
This summer we drilled a water well in a remote village in Cambodia. This is one of the least developed countries in all of Southeast Asia. The rural villagers live a difficult life and lack basic infrastructure like clean water. As this people group, the Khmer, suffer physically, they are tragically lacking a gospel witness as only 2% know Christ.
To ensure long term discipleship, they were also given solar powered audio Bibles in the Khmer language. Making converts is not enough. Neither is making people more comfortable on their way to eternity. We are called to make disciples and carry out Jesus’ assignment for coming to this Earth!
We share clean water because that is why Jesus came. We share the salvation story because that is why He died. When we bring the two together, we can obediently walk in His instruction and watch hearts that were previously closed, become open to receive His Good News!
Making Jesus known,
Greg Kelley, CEO
The Hausa people live across 16 African countries, primarily in Central and Western Africa. The majority live in Nigeria and Niger. More than 99% of Hausa are devout Muslims who believe in Allah and in Muhammad as his prophet.
The Hausa people live across 16 African countries, primarily in Central and Western Africa. The majority live in Nigeria and Niger. More than 99% of Hausa are devout Muslims who believe in Allah and in Muhammad as his prophet.
Life for the Hausa remains very difficult and the regions where they live are prone to drought. Poverty is the cause of poor nutrition, illness, inadequate health care, and lack of educational opportunities. Following Islamic custom, each family lives in a village compound and men are allowed to have multiple wives. Each wife has her own hut where she and her young children sleep. All of the people share similar beliefs and customs. It is very difficult for Hausa to receive the gospel, as it leads to family persecution and rejection.
"When we started to work among the Hausa we were badly rejected and warned to either leave the town or prepare to die. We persevered and kept our faith. One day, the chief listened to the Treasure and invited our missionary to explain more. That was the beginning of our success story among the Hausa people. They need to hear the gospel and need our love to show them who Jesus is."
- Unknown Nations Indigenous Leader in Nigeria
Please pray for new believers in the face of family pressure and persecution. (Dt. 31:6)
The Lord put a calling on our hearts many years ago to be a witness among oral learners in unreached people groups. We believe that this "ends of the Earth" (Acts 1:8) calling was the last thing on Jesus’ mind before he ascended into heaven. His last words are our highest priority!
If our team had to choose a Bible verse to describe our 2023 fiscal year (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023), we would undoubtedly choose Psalm 126:3.
The Lord put a calling on our hearts many years ago to be a witness among oral learners in unreached people groups. We believe that this "ends of the Earth" (Acts 1:8) calling was the last thing on Jesus’ mind before he ascended into heaven. His last words are our highest priority!
Is there any better way for us to be a witness than to share the Word of God? Being a witness is testifying to what Jesus has done. Praise God that the Bible is filled with inspiration, revelation and truth regarding the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Let me share what we have done together. Together, we have sent thousands of our solar powered audio Bibles into the hardest, darkest, most spiritually antagonistic, and destitute places on earth.
In 2010 we sent 5,600 audio Bibles, bringing the Gospel to those without access.
In 2014 we sent 13,600.
In 2019… 33,400 audio Bibles.
And this past year, we sent more than 80,000! Praise the Lord! He truly has done amazing things.
As we prioritize these spiritually dark places, there will be continual opposition and rejection to the truth. That is why our strategic humanitarian projects are so instrumental. Consider the country of Afghanistan that is .02% Christian and controlled by the brutal Taliban who hunt down anyone with a Bible.
Recent flash floods in Afghanistan have cost the lives of dozens of people, destroyed hundreds of homes, and displaced thousands. These Muslim communities are being decimated and are in urgent need of assistance. Our underground church leaders on the ground are prepared to serve these dear ones and bring physical hope as they also deliver the Bread of Life in the form of audio Bibles in the Dari and Pashto languages.
As we celebrate, let’s continue to keep our eyes on opportunities to be his witness to the ends of the earth!
Every 3 seconds someone is newly displaced because of war, violence or persecution. Sometimes, this displacement crosses a country line, triggering refugee status. Many times it does not, and they often remain inside their country as internally displaced people (IDP). In either case, many of these precious people, often women and children, have lost everything. They are in the most vulnerable state imaginable, thankful to flee a horrific situation with their lives.
Every 3 seconds someone is newly displaced because of war, violence or persecution. Sometimes, this displacement crosses a country line, triggering refugee status. Many times it does not, and they often remain inside their country as internally displaced people (IDP). In either case, many of these precious people, often women and children, have lost everything. They are in the most vulnerable state imaginable, thankful to flee a horrific situation with their lives. Many of the regions where these displacements occur are also without a gospel witness. They are unreached!
We believe that these humanitarian crises around the world provide a unique and unprecedented opportunity. According to the UN Refugee Agency there are more refugees and displaced people today than anytime in history. What an opportunity for the Body of Christ to mobilize for the Gospel! It will require us to go behind the chaos of barbed wire fences and prison-like conditions into a place with no organization, no political structure, and no defined village or other geographic boundary.
I was in northern Nigeria recently among the areas that Boko Haram has unleashed horrific terror on millions of people. There are literally hundreds of IDP camps. The eyes of these precious people told you everything. Most had lost an immediate family member, which made the majority of these dear ones widows and orphans.
The despair was almost palpable as we moved from family to family trying to encourage them and share the Good News. One of the buildings had fresh patches of concrete which I was told were repairs from a week prior when thugs from Boko Haram caused further terror within the camp and a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing several people and damaging the building. It is unimaginable evil. No amount of aid and financial support will heal the wounds of these people, only the incomprehensible love of Jesus!
How will we respond?
Today, a new opportunity presents itself. Another civil war in Africa – this time in Sudan – is causing unspeakable carnage and suffering. Sudan has been the most recent target of the devil. We believe the assault upon these lives is intended for complete destruction and annihilation. That is the playbook of our adversary, his agenda for the ages.
Refugees from Sudan are fleeing across the border into Chad by the tens of thousands. Our indigenous missionaries on the ground are mobilizing to help. It is simply overwhelming. Children who have not eaten for days are clinging to their mother’s back while others are being dragged as they trek for safety. Most have nothing except the clothing on their backs. They desperately need food, as many have already succumbed to starvation. To complicate matters further, there are seasonal rains in the area so temporary shelters are vital in our response.
What a privilege to be able to stand with them in their time of need and point them to the only answer and source of eternal peace: Jesus!!
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