Pray for Gambia

The Gambia is called the “Smiling Coast of Africa” because of the hospitality of its people. The nation includes major ethnic groups such as the Malinke, Wolof, Fulani, Diola, and Soninke, which generally coexist peacefully. Although English is the official language, a variety of indigenous languages are also used. The Republic of Gambia is Africa’s smallest non-island country and one of the continent’s most densely populated nations. Until the nineteenth century, The Gambia and Senegal were collectively known as Senegambia. Following their separation, Senegal came under French colonial rule, while The Gambia was governed by Great Britain, becoming independent in 1965.

Although The Gambia has a stable government and a peaceful democracy, it is one of the poorest countries in the world, and many people struggle with poverty. These financial hardships contribute to human trafficking and child exploitation. While Gambian law gives men and women equal rights, women are frequently mistreated. About 70 percent of women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced female genital mutilation, and many women continue to face discrimination in the workplace. Diseases transferred through water, food, and mosquitos are common. Malaria is one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of five.

Over 90 percent of The Gambia’s population is Muslim. A small number of Christians, mostly Protestant and Roman Catholic, make up about five percent of the population. Religious freedoms exist, and Christians are not actively persecuted by the Muslim population. However, believers do not use this freedom as an opportunity to share the Gospel with their Muslim neighbors. More workers are needed to reach the non-Christian majority, but many Gambian believers lack the motivation to evangelize. Several people groups in rural communities are unreached, and indigenous languages lack complete Bible translations. Churches need discipleship and leadership training to equip believers to share the Gospel.