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The 3 Forgotten Frontiers of Modern Missions
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October 13, 2022
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The following article was researched and written by Mike Burnard – Analytical Strategist at dia-LOGOS Please note the following:
  • Because the region is diverse and sparsely populated, statistics differ from source to source
  • Data relating to religions and Christian activities are even more difficult to obtain.
For the purposes of this presentation, only recognised, acknowledged and trustworthy sources have been used such as:
  • the CIA Factbook (maps)
  • Atlas of Global Christianity (mission activities),
  • Joshua Project (population, unreached people groups and Pioneer Workers Needed) and
  • Operation World (general needs and challenges).
  • World population review.com
  • Open Doors (World Watch List)

THE 3 FORGOTTEN FRONTIERS

of modern missions

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations

(‘ethnos’ – cultures, tribes, people groups, ethnic groups),

and then the end will come.

This scripture is not a prophesy, it is a promise. 

So, when your days look like Matthew 24:9–11, remember verse 14

Christ describes a season of unimaginable turmoil and persecution BUT promises that the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world. 

This should strengthen our resolve to daily put our hand to the evangelistic plough. Whether the visible harvest is plentiful or sparse, we cling to the promise that our King will return.  But until that day, let’s remember that our days will be measured by our faithfulness, not by our fruitfulness, and certainly not by our finishing.

The three forgotten frontiers of modern missions are as follows:

1. NORTHERN SAHEL REGION

  • Algeria,
  • Mauritania,
  • Niger,
  • Sudan,
  • Mali,
  • Senegal,
  • Chad,
Untitled-1

2. WESTERN MAGHREB REGION

  • Morocco
  • Western Sahara
  • Algeria,
  • Mauritania,
  • Tunisia
  • Libya
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3. CENTRAL STANISTAN REGION

  • Afghanistan
  • Tajikistan
  • Pakistan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Kazakhstan
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1.  NORTHERN SAHEL – On the edge of faith

The word “Sahel” means “EDGE” or “BORDER” in Arabic. 

The Sahel region is positioned in the North of Africa and provides…

  • A GEOGRAPHICAL border between the northern Sahara Desert and the fertile southern savannah region
  • A CULTURAL border between Arabs and Africans
  • A SPIRITUAL border between the Islamic north and the Christian south.
  • A MISSIONAL border between the reached and unreached
  • Few regions in Africa are of such spiritual significance as the SAHEL, the “edge”, between Islam and Christianity.
image010

NORTHERN SAHEL NATIONS

  • The “SAHEL BELT” stretches through 14 countries in total of which 7 are positioned in the north and 7 in the south. It stretches in the north through …
  • Northern Senegal,
  • Southern Mauritania,
  • Central Mali,
  • The extreme south of Algeria,
  • Niger,
  • Central Chad,
  • Central and southern Sudan

These 7 nations are home to …

  • 182 million people
  • 525 People Groups
  • 360 Unreached People Groups (UPG)
  • 90% Muslim
  • 3.9% Christian

SPIRITUALLY

  • The northern SAHEL region is home to some of the most unreached and un-missioned nations on earth. It is the forgotten frontier of modern missions.
  • There are 360 unreached people groups
  • Of the 7 nations in the north 90% are Muslim and less than 4% Christian
  • 91% of the population are from unreached groups
  • There is an immediate need for 3,391 Pioneer Workers
  • The Northern region of 7 nations and 181 million people receives less than 4,500 missionaries - 25 for every 1 million people.
  • In comparison, South Africa alone receives 12,000 missionaries - 207 for every 1 million people.

PERSECUTION

  • 11 of the 14 SAHEL nations are ranked on the World Watch List of Open Doors of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted most
  • 4 of the 7 northern nations appear in the top 25
  • Sudan is the 13th most closed country to share the Gospel
  • Close to 30 violent Islamist groups are active in the area

HUMANITARIAN

  • Sahel countries count among the world’s most (and worst) nations exposed to unpredictable weather patterns, frequent droughts and floods, food insecurity, malnutrition, and armed conflict and violence.
  • According to the UN Human Development Index, 6 of the top 8 poorest countries in the world are in the SAHEL – 3 are in the northern region
  • 1. South Sudan
  • 2. Chad
  • 3. Niger
  • 4. CAR
  • 6. Mali
  • 8. Burkina Faso
  • 6.9 MILLION people are grappling with the dire consequences of forced displacement.
  • 13 MILLION people facing a critical lack of food.
  • 1.6 MILLION children under 5 will be suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
  • 24 MILLION people need humanitarian assistance and protection – the highest number ever recorded.
  • 8 MILLION + children, 6-14 years old, are out of school

HOWEVER…

The Humanitarian crises will provide Kairos opportunities for the Church to reach out and reflect a loving Saviour and a redeeming God.  It is time to run with heaven

THREE LEAST REACHED NATIONS IN THE NORTHERN SAHEL

1.1 MALI 

image012

The capital of Mali is Bamako

Bamako is the capital and largest city of Mali. It is located on the Niger River, near the rapids that divide the upper and middle Niger valleys in the southwestern part of the country.

  • More than half of the population lives below the international poverty line.
  • Malnutrition and the lack of access to clean water are major challenges.
  • The adult literacy rate is 38.7% - one of the lowest literacy rates in the world.

POPULATION:

  • 22.4 million
  • 88% Muslim
  • 3% Christian
  • 73 ethnic groups
  • 43 Unreached groups
  • People in UG – 20,5 million (91,4%)
  • PIONEER WORKERS NEEDED*: 420

1.2 NIGER

image014

The capital of Niger is Niamey.  Niamey is the capital and largest city of Niger.   Niamey lies on the Niger River, primarily situated on the east bank. 

  • Niger has the world's highest fertility rate.
  • Niger is the world’s youngest country, with a median age of 15.4 years.
  • Half of its population is under the age of 14.
  • Average years spent in school: 2.1
  • Girls and women represent an estimated 75% of Nigeriens living below the poverty line
  • 1 in 2 girls in Niger is married by the age of 15, and by 17 they’re likely to have at least one child or be pregnant for the first time.

POPULATION:

  • 26.1 million
  • 93% Muslim
  • 1.5% Christian
  • 38 ethnic groups
  • 30 Unreached groups
  • People in UG – 25,6 million (98%)
  • PIONEER WORKERS NEEDED*: 519

1.3 SUDAN

image022

Khartoum is the capital of Sudan.  It is located at the confluence of the White Nile, flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile, flowing west from Lake Tana in Ethiopia.

  • 26.6% of the population is not expected to survive for more than 40 years.
  • 27% of the population do not have access to safe water
  • 30% have no access to health services
  • For children under the age of 5 years old, 34% are underweight

POPULATION:

  • 47 million
  • 94% Muslim
  • 1.3% Christian
  • 162 ethnic groups
  • 133 Unreached groups
  • People in UG – 44,5 million (95%)

2. WESTERN MAGHREB – on the dawn of faith

The word “Maghreb” means “the WESTERN place” or “where the sun sets” in Arabic.  

  • It contains the Sahara Desert in the south and the Atlas Mountains in the north.
  • Most of the people living in the Maghreb are of Arab, Berber, Tuareg or mixed Arab and Berber heritage.
image010

WESTERN MAGHREB NATIONS

There are 6 Nations in the Maghreb

  • Libya
  • Mauritania
  • Algeria
  • Morocco
  • Tunisia
  • Western Sahara

These 7 nations are home to …

  • 107 million people
  • 156 People Groups
  • 128 UPG
  • 98% Muslim
  • 0.3% Christian

SPIRITUALLY

The MAGHREB region is home to two of the most unreached people groups:

  • The Imazighen or Berber of MAGHREB. There are more than 90 different Berber people groups in the Maghreb of which only 0.3% are Christian
  • The Tuareg (the blue people of the desert) are related to the Berber but have unique culture and live in Central Sahara Desert. There are 29 Tuareg people groups with very few, if any, Christians
  • There are 128 unreached people groups
  • Of the 6 nations 98% are Muslim and 0.3% Christian
  • 99% of the population are from unreached groups
  • An immediate need for 2,160 Pioneer Workers

PERSECUTION

  • ALL 6 of the nations appear on the world watch list’s top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted most
  • Libya ranks top as the 4th most persecuted nation on earth

THE THREE LEAST REACHED NATIONS IN THE MAGHREB

2.1 MAURITANIA

image020

The capital of Mautitania is Nouakchot

Most of its population of 4.7 million lives in the temperate south of the country, with roughly one third concentrated in the capital and largest city, Nouakchott,  located on the Atlantic coast.

  • 0.5% of Mauritania’s land is suited for agriculture,
  • Child poverty in Mauritania is one of the gravest situations in the world,
  • 56% of births in Mauritania do not have legal documentation.
  • Half of all Haratines remain enslaved, either explicitly through the threat of punishment or de facto due to socioeconomic discrimination.

POPULATION:

  • 4,7 million
  • 99.5% Muslim
  • 0.5% Christian
  • 14 Unreached groups
  • People in UG – 4,7 million (99,5%)
  • PIONEER WORKERS NEEDED*: 101

2.2 ALGERIA

image022

The capital of Algeria is Algiers, which is located on the western shore of the Mediterranean Sea. This city has a metropolitan population of around 5 million.

  • Algeria is one of the countries where per capita water availability is under the International Bank's criterion of water poorness
  • Only 22% of urban residents receive water 24 hours per day,
  • 34% receive water only once per day,
  • 24% every second day
  • and 14% only every third day
  • In some regions water only comes every 10 days

POPULATION:

  • 44,8 million
  • 97% Muslim
  • 1% Christian
  • 38 ethnic groups
  • 34 Unreached groups (90%)
  • People in UG – 44,7 million (99%)
  • PIONEER WORKERS NEEDED*: 909

2.3 LIBYA

image022

The capital of Libya is Tripoli.   Libya has the 10th-largest oil reserves in the world.  The Libyan Desert, which covers much of Libya, is one of the most arid and sunbaked places on earth.  The temperature in the Libyan Desert holds the world record for the highest temperature ever measured: 58 °C

  • # 4 on the WWL
  • The Libyan Civil War began not long after the 2011 revolution that removed long-time dictator, Muammar Ghaddafi, from power.
  • The civil war in Libya has taken a significant toll on innocent civilians.
  • According to the UN Refugee Agency more than 343,000 Libyans have been internally displaced by the conflict as of 2020.
  • Libya also has the world’s 4th highest youth unemployment rate in the world, at 48.7%.

POPULATION:

  • 6,8 million
  • 96.6% Muslim
  • 2.5% Christian
  • 44 ethnic groups
  • 31 Unreached groups
  • People in UG – 6 million (88%)

3. CENTRAL STANISTAN – The place of faith

The suffix “STAN” means “country” or “place of” in Persian. STANISTAN means “the place of STANS” and explores the 7 STAN nations in central Asia

  • Five STANS are located in Central Asia while two, Pakistan and Afghanistan, are located in South Asia
  • Of these nations, Kazakhstan is the largest by area. The smallest is Tajikistan.
  • By population, Pakistan is the largest with a population of over 237 million.
  • The smallest by population is Turkmenistan, which has a population of over 6,4 million.
image026

CENTRAL STANISTAN NATIONS

There are 7 Nations in Stanistan

  • Afghanistan
  • Tajikistan
  • Pakistan
  • Pakistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Kazakhstan

These 7 nations are home to …

  • 356 million people
  • 1,163 People Groups
  • 1,055 UPG
  • 95% Muslim
  • 1.8% Christian

SPIRITUALLY

The MAGHREB region is home to two of the most unreached people groups:

  • The STAN region is home to 356 million people
  • There are 1,055 unreached people groups
  • Of the 7 nations 95% are Muslim and 1.8 % Christian
  • 97 % of the population are from unreached groups
  • An immediate need for 7,317 Pioneer Workers

PERSECUTION

  • 6 of the 7 nations appear on the world watch list’s top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted most
  • Afghanistan is the most closed country in the world surrounded by Pakistan (8th) and Iran (9th) who also appears in top ten

THE THREE LEAST REACHED NATIONS IN STANISTAN

3.1 AFGHANISTAN

image028

The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul.  Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is located in the eastern part of the country, in a narrow valley that is situated between the Hindu Kush Mountains.   This location has been historically strategic, as it is the crossroads between Western Asia and Eastern Asia.  Kabul is also situated on the path of the historic silk route, one of the most important trade routes in human history.

  • The most restricted country in the world for sharing the gospel
  • Completely unreached - the average person in Afghanistan will hear the gospel once every 32 years.
  • Not 1 indigenous people group has a Christian population of more than 1%

POPULATION:

  • 41,4 million
  • 99.8 Muslim
  • 0.03 Christian
  • 70 ethnic groups
  • 68 Unreached groups
  • People in UG – 41,4 million (100%)

  • PIONEER WORKERS NEEDED*: 860

3.2 UZBEKISTAN

image030

The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent.  Uzbekistan mines 80 tons of gold annually, seventh in the world.  Uzbekistan's copper deposits rank tenth in the world and its uranium deposits twelfth.  The country's uranium production ranks seventh globally

  • A new criminal code was drafted in 2021 that penalizes the distribution of religious literature, meeting for worship without permission and talking about faith

POPULATION:

  • 34,7 million
  • 96.4% Muslim
  • 2.3% Christian
  • 59 ethnic groups
  • 34 Unreached groups
  • People in UG – 33,5 million (96%)
  • PIONEER WORKERS NEEDED*:686

3.2 PAKISTAN

image032

The capital of Pakistan is Islamabad.  The name Pakistan literally means "Land of the Pure" in Urdu and Persian.

It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 237 million, and has the world's second-largest Muslim population.

  • Number 8 on the WWL
  • The largest people group, the Pashtun, has 0.00% Christian
  • Of the 835 people groups there are only 23 that have a Christian presence of 1% or more

POPULATION:

  • 237 million
  • 97.6% Muslim
  • 1.1% Christian
  • 835 ethnic groups
  • 828 Unreached groups
  • People in UG – 235 million (99%)
  • PIONEER WORKERS NEEDED*: 4,959

PRAYING FOR THE REGIONS

  • Pray to the Lord of the harvest for more workers
  • Pray for open doors, open hearts, and receptive spirits
  • Pray for those that are already working there for safety, health and provision
  • Pray for the vulnerable

SOURCES

HNRO:             HNRO-Sahel-20200505-EN-Web.pdf

Wikipedia:             https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahel

World Atlas             https://www.worldatlas.com/regions/sahel-of-africa.html

Joshua project:     https://joshuaproject.net/countries

Operation World:            https://operationworld.org/

CIA Factbook:    https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/

Open Doors            https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/ 

All Pictures from Pixabay:  https://pixabay.com/

Book:             Atlas of Global Christianity – Edinburg University Press

For the PDF Document containing the statistics subscribe online or mail me at stefan@dialogos.co.za  

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