Although Cote d'Ivoire is trying to get back on a stable footing, the cost of five years of civil strife has left it limping. A coup in 1999 and then conflicts from 2002-2007 have stripped this nation of its confidence, stability, and infrastructure.
Division between the north and south is primarily based on ethnicity and religion, the north being predominantly Muslim and the south predominantly Christian. Ivorians worldviews are very rooted in animism and African cultural beliefs, infiltrating both Christian and Muslim doctrine. The Christian church seems to focus more on seeking prosperity, signs, and wonders rather than their Savior as revealed through the Word of God. With little value on literacy, it is hard to train and instruct the church in the truths found in the Bible.
Islam has grown from 5% to 41%, while the number of Christian missionaries has dropped due to civil conflicts. But, young people are very responsive to the Gospel, presenting a moment of opportunity to transfer this nation from generations of darkness to generations of light, casting out the darkness of past strife, ethnic and religious conflict, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
A beautiful island off the coast of Venezuela, Curacao is truly a Caribbean gem. One of the world's newest nations, it become self-governing under the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010. Once central to the slave trade, the abolition movement brought great economic difficulty to Curacao. But, tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance has brought a steady and reliable income since.
This island holds total freedom for the spreading of the Gospel and yet there seems to be little response. Nominalism and superstition have crept into the church and left it lifeless. Many who call themselves Christians are lacking in a vital and life-changing relationship with Christ. This small island is in desperate need of an active and growing church.
The people of Curacao look everyday at the magnificence of the Caribbean landscape around them. They are surrounded by the beautiful masterpiece of creation and yet so many of them do not see the hand behind this work of art.
A nation once cruelly oppressed by a communist regime, Romania is still picking up the pieces from its past. With political corruption still rampant, progress is slow. Employment remains a struggle, with many reaching the working age only to emigrate to other European nations.
In the midst of these setbacks, Romania has the fourth largest evangelical population in Europe. Romanians, particularly the youth, are very open to the Gospel and receptive to its message, but there still remain about 19 cities and 9,500 villages without an evangelical church. The Romanian church must move beyond disunity and work together to reach every city and village with the Gospel.
Three or more babies are aborted for every one that is allowed to live. Substance abuse, prostitution, human trafficking, and a lack of care for orphans and children are rampant throughout this nation. As young people seek a western-lifestyle, morality is often deserted. A cleansing work of the Holy Spirit is greatly needed to wipe out the moral filth, replacing it with a holy Romanian Church, spreading the Truth of the Gospel to those just waiting to hear it.
Women abused and raped, babies with little chance of survival, children smuggled into slavery: Somalia is a land of great suffering. With failed government after failed government, Somalia is known as Africa's most "failed" state. Violence and anarchy are the only constants for Somalis. The resulting chaos has led to an open door to all sorts of atrocities and sin: smugglers, pirates, bandits, terrorists, and more.
In the midst of this nation's distress and vulnerability, Sunni Muslims have stepped in to bring order. But this order comes at a great price: shari'a law. Christianity is seen as more and more of a threat, leading to increasing violence and persecution. The Somali Church has been underground since 1991, with most of its roughly 4,000 believers either worshipping in secret or just alone.
But, out of the ashes is coming a wounded yet beautiful Church, a people willing to give their lives for their Savior and follow him no matter the cost.
100,000 lives lost. 900,000 emigrated or fled. Over one million displaced. Sri Lanka's long-lasting civil war has taken quite a toll on its people. Although the political unrest and war has ended, many social and religious conflicts continue. Reconciliation is deeply needed to bring healing and restoration to this broken nation.
Buddhism is deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture with extremist forms on the rise. Many see Christianity as a representation of foreign oppression, and therefore missionaries are unwelcome, and national christians are often persecuted. For a nation like Sri Lanka it is vital that Christianity be indigenous and not foreign-led. We praise God that the Sri Lankan church has risen to the occasion, leading to miraculous growth and the salvation of many.
The atrocities of war and the immensity of social injustice have made Sri Lanka a land of immense suffering. Crimes against children are vast: malnutrition, selective abortion, abandonment, abuse, child prostitution, and more. Without the Holy Spirit's intervention and an active and healthy indigenous church, the next generation will be even more wounded and scarred than the last.
A nation once held in the grip of communism, Kyrgyzstan has attempted to find its way with regime after regime promising change but delivering further corruption. While Kyrgyzstan has preserved greater freedoms than many of the surrounding nations, its people still face deep issues of racism and persecution. Frequent demonstrations and protests reveal disillusionment and a search for lasting answers.
Most Kyrgyz are culturally Muslim, but few understand what it really means. Yet, mosques and prayer rooms are spreading and growing quickly. Shamanism, ancestor worship, and the occult are rampant as well, holding a tight demonic grip on this country. Christianity is also growing. From 45 churches to 300 in 20 years, the Kyrgyz church is beginning to spread. But, with all these religious expressions the government has tightened up regulations and put more limits on religion, particularly Christianity.
With constant political upheaval, the Kyrgyz people are searching for something that will last. Kyrgyzstan has, as of now, maintained a less radical Islamic perspective than many of its neighbors, providing a crucial moment for the spread of Christianity. The time is now.
The dry land of the United Arab Emirates is being swayed and driven by a torrent of oil wealth. These riches have created a rift in the culture between traditional Islam and the tugs of modernity and materialism.
Yet, new life is bubbling forth in this desert -- at first a trickle and now a great flood: multitudes of people are coming to Christ! Prayer networks devoted to the region and long lasting Christian medical ministries have played a key role in this spiritual outpouring.
Although government restrictions still attempt to hold back the spread of Christianity, many are hungry for Christ. Praise the Lord that even in the desert land of the United Arab Emirates there is a deluge of the living water of Christ.
The Church in Eritrea is under great pain and oppression with what some estimate to be 3,000 currently in prison for their faith. Followers of Jesus Christ face harsh government policies aimed at eradicating any form of non-registered Christianity. This persecution includes mass arrests, detainment without charge, torture, and harsh prison conditions.
Yet, God is on the move! The house church movement is growing and there are many renewal movements in the mainline denominations. Great numbers of people in refugee camps or in prison have received the message of Christ! Even amongst trial the Church of Jesus Christ continues to grow in Eritrea. However, much remains to be done; many villages and towns have yet to hear the gospel.
With a constant threat of war, drought, and religious persecution, the people of Eritrea are a suffering people but not a people without hope.
The tiny nation of Andorra is plagued by the giants of materialism and nominalism. While 90% of the population belongs to the Catholic Church, the culture pays little attention to Christian teachings. Many of the people of Andorra seek direction from mediums, seers, and astrologers, believing the power of the occult will give better guidance than the Spirit of God.
Drug addiction, long work hours, suicide, and broken families all tear at the Andorran society and its people. A small handful of evangelical congregations struggle to establish a strong foothold for Christ in Andorra; the effort is hard and growth is slow.
The islands of Palau are renowned for their unbelievable beauty, drawing people from around the world to its shores. Yet, as the Pharisees were called white washed tombs, clean on the outside yet dirty on the inside, so too does this breathtaking landscape of the Palau islands hide a decaying spiritual center.
While the majority of the population claims to be catholic, their faith holds very little meaning in their daily life. The hurdles to the Gospel are vast. Many have fallen into the traps of alcoholism, magic, immorality, syncretism, and false teachings, making acceptance of Christ very difficult. With only the New Testament translated into their language, there is limited Biblical discipleship that can occur. In addition to these hurdles, Palau is a closed culture, resistant to change.
Yet, we serve a big God who longs to bring a deep and inner revival to a nation so desperately in need of His transforming and cleansing power.
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Although Cote d'Ivoire is trying to get back on a stable footing, the cost of five years of civil strife has left it limping. A coup in 1999 and then conflicts from 2002-2007 have stripped this nation of its confidence, stability, and infrastructure.
Division between the north and south is primarily based on ethnicity and religion, the north being predominantly Muslim and the south predominantly Christian. Ivorians worldviews are very rooted in animism and African cultural beliefs, infiltrating both Christian and Muslim doctrine. The Christian church seems to focus more on seeking prosperity, signs, and wonders rather than their Savior as revealed through the Word of God. With little value on literacy, it is hard to train and instruct the church in the truths found in the Bible.
Islam has grown from 5% to 41%, while the number of Christian missionaries has dropped due to civil conflicts. But, young people are very responsive to the Gospel, presenting a moment of opportunity to transfer this nation from generations of darkness to generations of light, casting out the darkness of past strife, ethnic and religious conflict, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
A nation once cruelly oppressed by a communist regime, Romania is still picking up the pieces from its past. With political corruption still rampant, progress is slow. Employment remains a struggle, with many reaching the working age only to emigrate to other European nations.
In the midst of these setbacks, Romania has the fourth largest evangelical population in Europe. Romanians, particularly the youth, are very open to the Gospel and receptive to its message, but there still remain about 19 cities and 9,500 villages without an evangelical church. The Romanian church must move beyond disunity and work together to reach every city and village with the Gospel.
Three or more babies are aborted for every one that is allowed to live. Substance abuse, prostitution, human trafficking, and a lack of care for orphans and children are rampant throughout this nation. As young people seek a western-lifestyle, morality is often deserted. A cleansing work of the Holy Spirit is greatly needed to wipe out the moral filth, replacing it with a holy Romanian Church, spreading the Truth of the Gospel to those just waiting to hear it.
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
100,000 lives lost. 900,000 emigrated or fled. Over one million displaced. Sri Lanka's long-lasting civil war has taken quite a toll on its people. Although the political unrest and war has ended, many social and religious conflicts continue. Reconciliation is deeply needed to bring healing and restoration to this broken nation.
Buddhism is deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture with extremist forms on the rise. Many see Christianity as a representation of foreign oppression, and therefore missionaries are unwelcome, and national christians are often persecuted. For a nation like Sri Lanka it is vital that Christianity be indigenous and not foreign-led. We praise God that the Sri Lankan church has risen to the occasion, leading to miraculous growth and the salvation of many.
The atrocities of war and the immensity of social injustice have made Sri Lanka a land of immense suffering. Crimes against children are vast: malnutrition, selective abortion, abandonment, abuse, child prostitution, and more. Without the Holy Spirit's intervention and an active and healthy indigenous church, the next generation will be even more wounded and scarred than the last.
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
The dry land of the United Arab Emirates is being swayed and driven by a torrent of oil wealth. These riches have created a rift in the culture between traditional Islam and the tugs of modernity and materialism.
Yet, new life is bubbling forth in this desert -- at first a trickle and now a great flood: multitudes of people are coming to Christ! Prayer networks devoted to the region and long lasting Christian medical ministries have played a key role in this spiritual outpouring.
Although government restrictions still attempt to hold back the spread of Christianity, many are hungry for Christ. Praise the Lord that even in the desert land of the United Arab Emirates there is a deluge of the living water of Christ.
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
OneWay Ministries | P.O. Box 2211 | Naperville | IL | 60567
The Church in Eritrea is under great pain and oppression with what some estimate to be 3,000 currently in prison for their faith. Followers of Jesus Christ face harsh government policies aimed at eradicating any form of non-registered Christianity. This persecution includes mass arrests, detainment without charge, torture, and harsh prison conditions.
Yet, God is on the move! The house church movement is growing and there are many renewal movements in the mainline denominations. Great numbers of people in refugee camps or in prison have received the message of Christ! Even amongst trial the Church of Jesus Christ continues to grow in Eritrea. However, much remains to be done; many villages and towns have yet to hear the gospel.
With a constant threat of war, drought, and religious persecution, the people of Eritrea are a suffering people but not a people without hope.
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
The tiny nation of Andorra is plagued by the giants of materialism and nominalism. While 90% of the population belongs to the Catholic Church, the culture pays little attention to Christian teachings. Many of the people of Andorra seek direction from mediums, seers, and astrologers, believing the power of the occult will give better guidance than the Spirit of God.
Drug addiction, long work hours, suicide, and broken families all tear at the Andorran society and its people. A small handful of evangelical congregations struggle to establish a strong foothold for Christ in Andorra; the effort is hard and growth is slow.
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
The islands of Palau are renowned for their unbelievable beauty, drawing people from around the world to its shores. Yet, as the Pharisees were called white washed tombs, clean on the outside yet dirty on the inside, so too does this breathtaking landscape of the Palau islands hide a decaying spiritual center.
While the majority of the population claims to be catholic, their faith holds very little meaning in their daily life. The hurdles to the Gospel are vast. Many have fallen into the traps of alcoholism, magic, immorality, syncretism, and false teachings, making acceptance of Christ very difficult. With only the New Testament translated into their language, there is limited Biblical discipleship that can occur. In addition to these hurdles, Palau is a closed culture, resistant to change.
Yet, we serve a big God who longs to bring a deep and inner revival to a nation so desperately in need of His transforming and cleansing power.
Together let's watch and pray,
The Prayercast Team
prayercast.com
a ministry of OneWay
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