Pray for Chad

The landlocked African nation of Chad has more than 200 ethnic groups and 120 different languages and dialects. The north is dominated by the Sahara and occupied by Muslims, while the south is lush, tropical, and mainly occupied by Christians and animists. The nation has been ripped apart by civil war, and 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. Medical care and services are greatly lacking in this Central African nation, and with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, the Republic of Chad has the fifth highest death rate in the world.

Three decades of civil war plagued the nation after France withdrew its holdings in 1960. Flawed presidential elections were held, and rebellions became commonplace. The government, as is common in Africa, is known for its high levels of corruption. A Muslim minority group, the Zaghawa, control the majority of the government, trade, and armed forces, and they thankfully support religious freedom within the nation. However, dissenting views are rare on broadcast media, as government control prevents other beliefs from holding airtime. Physical infrastructure has been strengthened within the past few years, despite rebellions, as improved road systems have been implemented throughout the divided nation.

Chad is one of the few Muslim nations that welcome missionaries, and many Muslims are craving to hear the Good News. However, in the past thirty years Islam has increased, as have concerns that religious freedoms may disappear. Bible storytelling has proven effective around the nation, and many unreached people are hearing the Gospel for the first time as a result of both indigenous and expatriate missionary efforts. Chad has more unreached people living within its borders than any other African country. Unity is being broken within the Church due to an increase in nominalism and the pervasive practice of indigenous tribalism. Chad has been torn apart as a nation and as a Church. Unification and reconciliation are desperately needed.