Fast Facts:

Population:

23.7 million

Unreached people groups:

5.5 million

Largest religion:

Islam (55%)

Christian:

21%

Ethnic religions:

23%

No religion

>1%

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.

A Neglected and Tragic Conflict

Burkina Faso has historically suffered ongoing internal conflict. But its most recent challenges stem from a series of coups in 2022 in which the military overthrew a government that many believed had failed in its duty to curb ongoing terrorist attacks carried out by armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.

“Our greatest need is peace.”

By the time of the coup in September 2022, insurgency attacks had caused the deaths of at least 10,000 people and displaced more than 2 million. “Our greatest need is peace,” one man told a news outlet. “Because if we have peace, me and my family can go back to the village and will be able to take care of ourselves.”

A People in Crisis

For the second year in a row, Burkina Faso’s refugee crisis is considered to be the most neglected in the world. And for good reason. The number of Burkinabe refugees who escaped to neighboring countries because of the ongoing violence nearly tripled last year, and more than 700,000 people have been internally displaced, which means they fled their homes and livelihoods but remained in the country.

“Growing conflict and a dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding in communities cut off from the world’s view.”

Many—at least 500,000 by some estimations—face “catastrophic levels of food insecurity,” according to one media source, which is largely caused by food blockades imposed by armed groups. “Growing conflict and a dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding in communities cut off from the world’s view,” according to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

A Bleak Outlook

Today, fighting between armed groups and the military has grown worse, with the military even killing—execution style—those they believe have collaborated with Islamist armed groups. In February of this year, soldiers executed more than 200 civilians, including at least 56 children, who were accused of collaboration. “The repeated failure of the Burkinabe authorities to prevent and investigate such atrocities underlines why international assistance is critical to support a credible investigation into possible crimes against humanity,” said Tirana Hassan, executive director of Human Rights Watch.

Your Support Aids Missionaries During These Challenging Times

It is against this nightmarish background that missionaries—with your support—persevere for the sake of the gospel. Even as soldiers march from village to village seeking out alleged jihadist collaborators, or as violent attacks fall unannounced on unsuspecting civilians, these missionaries carry on with their work.

In the last several months, missionaries gathered 75 pastors to discuss how best to work together to evangelize the lost. They held a community health day to provide free health care, organized new Bible study groups, planted more churches, and hosted students during their school exams, many of whom had fled their homes to escape the intense insecurity.

“We are grateful that all events and meetings went well and were a blessing to those who attended. Thank you for your continued prayers and support!”

“We are grateful that all events and meetings went well and were a blessing to those who attended,” a ministry leader said. “Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Pray for a return of peace and security in Burkina Faso and for wisdom for the government in the face of insecurity.”

Please consider a donation today to continue to assist with ministry work in these challenging times. It is through your financial support that missionaries can share the hope of Christ in places such as Burkina Faso that are torn apart by conflict and insecurity and largely forgotten by much of the world.