Have you ever wondered how an unreached people group in Africa goes from zero to 80 churches in 11 years? Well, in Burkina Faso (north of Ghana), with a population of just over 18 million, where 60% are Muslim, and 19% Roman Catholic; (but many hold to ancestral beliefs), the Gospel is being proclaimed, and evangelical Christians now count for around 8% of the population. Living Water recently highlighted the following missionary timeline, illustrating this growth:

2002: Three missionary families from West Texas moved to Burkina Faso and settled among the largely unreached Dagara people.

2004: After spending the first years learning to speak Dagara and French, they are welcomed into three communities to meet under shade trees and share Bible stories.

2005: News of the gatherings spreads. People walk miles to participate in worship, prayer, Scripture reading, and offerings – and ask for similar groups in their villages. New Dagara believers become teachers themselves.

2006: The first church planted solely by a new Dagara believer thrives.

2010: Over 30 churches flourish spiritually, but the Dagara people still suffer physically without safe water. A new missionary family is trained to lead a well rehab outreach.

2013: More than 80 churches are now entirely Dagara run. Outreach opportunities increase as Dagara believers offer clean water in Jesus’ name through 140 rehabbed wells. The 1000th baptism is celebrated!

Source: Living Water International

BIBLE STUDY: John 4:39-42

PRAISE: God for missionaries willing to live among these people to laboriously lead them to Jesus. Pray for a flourishing and strong Church in Burkina Faso.