Adopt a City

Around 40 percent of the people of Sub-Saharan Africa live in urban areas. These cities have enormous potential for impacting the continent with the Gospel. Urban centers influence the cultural and religious makeup of their nation, and often the nations surrounding them. As people move to cities for jobs and education, they can share the Gospel with their families and friends who remain in rural areas.

Yet reaching cities with the Gospel is a challenge. Urban areas are large and sprawling, with neighborhoods ranging from poor slums to wealthy, gated communities. Socioeconomic groups include immigrants, street vendors, doctors, taxi drivers, teachers, students, housewives and business professionals. Missionaries and churches must employ a wide range of strategies to share the Gospel with the diverse peoples of their city.

Your help is needed -- to pray for the people of a city, and to partner with Christian workers there to help reach their city with the Gospel. Your church could take on a neighborhood or population segment and bathe that area or population in prayer. Then, as the Holy Spirit leads, commit to travel there to share the Good News in person.

Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Dakar, Senegal
Niamey, Niger
Windhoek, Namibia
Bamako, Mali

For more information, e-mail contact@imbafrica.org.

Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

Abidjan (pronounced ab-i-JAHN), a coastal city in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), has a population of more than 4 million people. It is a very modern city with many of the same advantages and disadvantages of metropolitan areas everywhere. People from all over West Africa come to Abidjan in search of jobs and a better life. Abidjan is a "melting pot" of people from many different ethnic groups and economic levels. Nearly every world religion is represented, but Islam, African traditional religions and Christianity (with a large percentage of Catholics) are predominant. Since French is the national language of Cote d'Ivoire, French Bibles are readily available. However, because of the low literacy rate, vast numbers of people cannot read the Word of God for themselves. Although a significant number of churches can be found in Abidjan, many of these hold to doctrines that present a distorted view of the true Gospel. Despite all their economic, health, family and educational needs, the greatest need of the people of Abidjan is to comprehend the life that Christ offers and the consequences of rejecting such grace.

A missionary in Abidjan writes: "The rainy season brings torrents of rain to where we are. Even in this large city, there are streets filled with muddy water that will remain that way until after the rainy season has passed. We lovingly refer to our road as the "little lagoon" during this time. As the rain is essential to the beautiful greenery we enjoy, pray that God will send workers for the harvest that are also essential to His success here. Pray for volunteers and partnering churches to bring refreshment to a dry and thirsty land. Pray that they will be flexible and resilient when rain puts a damper on our plans. Pray that as they are huddled in tiny one room houses or dorms to escape the deluge of rain, they will share the love of Christ with those thirsting to hear. Pray that they will be bold in their witness and that through the sacrifice of their time and money, Jesus will be lifted up. Pray that many churches will come and brave the rains of West Africa so that others may have a chance to hear the good news."

For more information and prayer requests, or to commit to adopting this city, e-mail contact@imbafrica.org.

Dakar, Senegal

"Peace is everything." This ideology is adapted by all Senegalese into every aspect of their lives. Although Senegal is one of the most stable countries in western Africa and there is religious freedom, the Senegalese do not have the true peace that comes only from knowing Jesus Christ. Dakar (pronounced dah-KAR), the capital city of Senegal and the westernmost city on the African mainland, has a population of 4 million people. Ninety-five percent of the population is Islamic, 4 percent Catholic, and 1 percent African traditional religion and evangelical Christian. Dakar is like many African capital cities in that people flock to the city, hoping for work and a better life. There is a wide diversity of socio-economic lifestyles, but the majority live far below the poverty level. There is a large population of "Talibe boys" living and begging on the streets to teach them humility. The people of Dakar are very colorful in their dress and are animated in their speech and mannerisms. They are a proud people. Also living in Dakar are people from France, Lebanon and surrounding African countries.

Pray the people of Dakar who are seeking peace will find the true peace that comes from knowing and following Jesus Christ.

For more information and prayer requests, or to commit to adopting this city, e-mail contact@imbafrica.org.

Niamey, Niger

Welcome to Niamey (NEE-ah-may), the capital city of Niger, a land-locked West African country! Niamey has been described as a large village, since many of its streets are not paved and one can find cows, sheep, goats and camels as readily as taxis and mopeds. Close to 1 million people from over 10 different people groups call Niamey home. The homes and financial resources of these residents vary greatly. Some live in cement brick homes with tile floors and air conditioning. Others live in grass huts and allow their animals to graze on scraps and garbage in the city streets.

While French is the official language of the country, Zerma and Hausa are predominate languages spoken in Niamey. Most people consider themselves Muslims and work to adhere to the tenants of that religion. Mosques of different sizes dot the landscape of this dusty city and their prayer calls can be heard over loudspeakers, reminding followers when it is time to bow toward Mecca. Although most people follow Islam, many are open to religious discussions and welcome prayers from Christians for their well being or in times of need. As missionaries and local Christians use these opportunities, pray for them to find openness in the hearts of the peoples of Niamey. Pray also for courage for those who want to follow Christ but fear persecution from their families and communities.

For more information and prayer requests, or to commit to adopting this city, e-mail contact@imbafrica.org.

Windhoek, Namibia

Namibia, a country in southwest Africa, has a population of more than 1.5 million people. The people are culturally diverse, consisting of at least 11 different ethnic groups including the Owambo, Kavango, Damara, Herero, Nama, Coloureds, Caprivians, San, Rehoboth Basters, Twsana and Whites. The land itself requires that the people have a tremendous degree of resourcefulness to survive, as it is made up of the Namib Desert to the west--commonly known as the "skeleton coast," a central plateau consisting of mountain ranges, shrub and dry, flat savannah plains--and the Kalahari Desert to the east. Most people living in rural areas subsist on hunting and gathering or farming and herding. Needless to say, this is a challenge due to the harshness of the environment, and more and more people are moving into urban areas in search of work in an effort to survive. Windhoek (pronounced VIN-took), the capital of Namibia, located in the plateau region, is one area to which many people are flocking. As they arrive in the city looking for work and a means to provide for their families, many find that they are in need of much more than food and shelter. Many are searching for the Bread of Life. Although there are a number of "Christian" churches in the city as a result of missionary movements in the past, few are reaching out to meet the needs of the people and preaching the Gospel.

Pray that believers in the city will (1) develop a passion for prayer, seeking God's will for their lives and the lives of those around them; (2) be empowered by the Holy Spirit to evangelize the lost within the city; and (3) develop a deep desire to disciple those who come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

For more information and prayer requests, or to commit to adopting this city, e-mail contact@imbafrica.org.

 

Bamako, Mali

Bamako (pronounced BAH-mah-koh), the capital city of the west African country of Mali, straddles the Niger River. Its population is currently estimated at more than 2 million and is increasing rapidly. People come to Bamako from small villages all over the country to seek education and jobs--in short, a better future for themselves. Though Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world, with most people living on an average of approximately $2 per day, it is striving to develop. Progress is evident as road building and housing construction are seen everywhere. Most people consider themselves to be Muslims, but in reality, for most it is a social religion with roots in African traditional religion. Baptist work is still small, with only four churches in the city, but with a vision to see many more started. Different strategies are being used to see that everyone has the opportunity to hear the Good News in his or her own language so that he or she can understand and respond. The challenges to sharing the message are many. For example, there are more than 30 ethnic groups speaking as many different languages, and many different socio-economic levels. At least 70 percent of the population is non-literate. One positive thing is that the people are welcoming and open. Most will listen when approached with a religious message.

Pray that believers in the few existing churches of Bamako will have a renewed vision for personal evangelism and church planting. Many need to be trained and to have the courage to go forth. Pray that the spiritual forces of darkness will be restrained when they do share. Pray also for seekers in Bamako who want to know God and his salvation but are fearful of persecution. Enormous pressure is often brought to bear by family and community when someone shows interest in the Gospel. Pray that they will find other seekers to encourage them and that they will be able to band together in order to seek Him while He may be found.

For more information and prayer requests, or to commit to adopting this city, e-mail contact@imbafrica.org.