Pray for Chad

The Republic of Chad is a vast tapestry of diverse peoples with equally diverse needs. There are well over 100 ethnic groups and more than 100 different languages spoken. The northern part of the country is mainly desert, while the southern part is more green and lush. Just like the landscape, the nation’s religions are split down the middle: the north is predominantly Muslim, while the south is predominantly Christian and animist.

Chad is among the lowest-ranked nations on the Human Development Index. The economy has been damaged by decades of civil conflict and instability, creating poor infrastructure. Around 40 percent live below the poverty line, and around 35 percent live below the extreme poverty line, which is projected to increase. Medical care and services are greatly lacking. Political corruption is high, and the government heavily restricts any form of opposition.

Just over half of the population is Muslim, but the nation enjoys freedom of religion and evangelism. However, in the Muslim-dominated north and northeast, Christians risk discrimination and sometimes violence. Many live in unreached groups, and with a multitude of  languages and dialects, it is estimated that half of the population doesn’t have a Bible in their language. Bible storytelling has proven effective around the nation, and missionaries are working to share the Gospel with unreached people.