Burkina Faso

Partner with  Local Missionaries in Burkina Faso

Located in the 10/40 Window

This landlocked country in West Africa has a population that is 60.5 percent Muslim, but both Muslims and Christians in Burkina Faso also practice beliefs from indigenous tribal religions. A little more than 20 percent of the population describe themselves as Christian.

With French as the principal language and 69 other languages spoken in the country, Burkina Faso’s people belong to two major West African ethnic groups, the Voltaic and the Mande. The Voltaic Mossi who make up about half the population claim descent from warriors who migrated from Ghana around 1100 AD and established an empire that lasted more than 800 years.

Most Muslims are from the Sunni branch. In the peculiar blend of Islam and tribal animism practiced in some parts of Burkina Faso, a shaman or Marabout earns money as a traditional “healer,” providing trinkets and incantations attributed with power to keep malicious spirits and other beings at bay.

At least seven tribes are proving receptive to the message of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and local missionaries seek assistance to send 40 more workers to them and support them the first few months. Eventually the church-planters plan to set up small businesses in order to support themselves.

A local ministry also plans to send 90 new Christians from the predominantly Muslim, ethnic Fulani to plant churches among their own people. The ministry requests help to train the church planters. The training involves instruction in church planting, discipleship and skills needed to start businesses, such as sewing, for their livelihood.

Local missionaries also need assistance purchasing 1,500 Bibles and 600 audio Bibles to provide to those who are hearing the gospel for the first time.

Sources: Joshua Project, CIA World Factbook, Wikipedia, Missions Insider

20.84 million

Population

10.24%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Burkina Faso

Pray that Christ’s light would penetrate the darkness of witchcraft and other occult practices ingrained in centuries of ancestral religion.
Pray that God would strengthen and purify churches tainted by animistic beliefs and rituals.
Pray for wisdom and protection for local missionaries sharing Christ with Muslims.

More stories from Burkina Faso

Bring The Lost Out Of Spiritual Darkness in Burkina Faso

A 90-year-old follower of witchcraft buried an ear of corn in a termite mound with the expectation that as the termites ate it, the soul of a young Christian man in his village would be destroyed. But the following week, he was amazed to find the corn was still intact. Several days later, he met a missionary and—to the surprise of all—accepted the invitation to attend a church meeting, where he confessed his plan and decided to follow Christ. His experience and conversion were compelling testimonies to the power of Christ over witchcraft. Donations of $25 or $50 support evangelism and discipleship in places steeped in spiritual darkness. Pray for the Lord’s protection over them.

Encourage The Lost To Trust In Christ in Burkina Faso

A native missionary sat near a community well one evening and told Bible stories to the villagers who congregated there to draw water. Many came closer to him to listen and ask questions about the things he said. One man was so intrigued that he volunteered his home as a meeting place for Bible study. “That is how we started a new Bible study in a place where the people are all from a background of Islam,” the ministry leader said. “The church is only growing in numbers.” Donations of $25 or $50 support outreach opportunities such as this. Pray for new believers as they study the Word of God.

Support Missionaries as They Share Jesus in Burkina Faso

Pray for missionaries as they work together to reach people for the gospel. Approximately 75 pastors recently attended a conference to discuss their work and learn new ways of how they might work together to further the Lord’s kingdom, an event that was part of an indigenous ministry’s efforts to bring together its missionaries from across the region for fellowship and collaboration. “This was an encouraging time,” the ministry leader said. “We are grateful that all events and meetings went well and were a blessing to those who attended.” Your donations assist ministries as they organize and lead important discipleship events.

Assist With Gospel Service in Burkina Faso

Pray for church planters in difficult times. Despite increasing extremist violence, a local ministry recently organized a church planting training event in which 30 people participated. As part of the program, each person was also trained in a practical skill of their choice to help them establish and support themselves in the communities to which they are sent. Some learned restaurant management, beading, tailoring, or shoemaking, while others learned carpentry and vegetable gardening. “We praise God that all graduated,” the ministry leader said. “We are progressively sending them out to relatively safe areas to start their ministries.” Your donations support these ministry endeavors.

Help Enemies Reconcile Through Gospel Teaching in Burkina Faso

Pray that local leaders will look to the Lord for guidance. During the past several months, tensions became increasingly volatile between a village chief and the village elders. But because a local ministry is headquartered in the village, missionaries were able to volunteer their building as a neutral place for reconciliation talks. The ministry leader provided spiritual insights that were well-received by both parties and, as a result, the reconciliation meeting was successful. “We praise God for His intervention,” the ministry leader said. A donation of $25 or $50 helps support local ministries as they serve within their communities.

Burkina Faso: Ministry Against a Backdrop of Violence

On the first Tuesday of each month, missionaries from a local ministry join with one another in prayer and fasting. In a country trapped in a seemingly never-ending, violent Islamic insurgency, these regular moments of quiet contemplation, of coming together to faithfully seek the Lord’s will, and of fellowship together are a bright spot in an increasingly dark time. Together, these gospel workers lean on the Lord, trusting that one day, His peace will come to pass, even though present-day peace seems to have long been forgotten.

Partner with  Local Missionaries in Burkina Faso