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C.T. Studd, one of the early missionaries to the Congo, wrote, "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." Much is said about the need, challenges, and hindrances to missions work in Africa, but the greatest necessity is simply more committed servants of God who are dedicated to spreading the Gospel no matter what obstacles come their way! Never have there been so many incredible opportunities available for missionary work worldwide; never has there been a more demand for surrendered servants to follow God's call!

It is exciting to see that the Lord is blessing BIMI with quality missionaries who are willing to go into unreached areas and to pioneer new regions of the African continent. Currently, BIMI has personnel in half of the fifty-four countries in Africa, providing one of the largest footprints in Africa, compared to other independent Baptist mission boards. Yet even then, there are many more countries that still have very little Gospel influence!

The challenge for our national pastors has never been greater as persecution has arisen in numerous places around the continent. Praise the Lord for faithful African men and women who continue on for the Lord in spite of difficulties! These are the men and women our missionaries are reaching and training who will, in turn, reach the continent of Africa for Christ, by going into areas where there are no missionaries or where American missionaries cannot go. May the Lord help us to train more, such as these, to reach others for Him!

Although spiritual results are from the Lord, our missionaries do indeed put forth the effort of evangelism, discipleship and church planting! It is not uncommon for our missionaries to see over fifteen to twenty thousand decisions for Christ each year, with multiple churches planted across the Continent. In our Bible colleges and institutes, there are on average between four to five hundred who are preparing to be the next generation of national preachers and leaders to continue the work of the Gospel!

Pray for more laborers to the Continent of Africa!

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Regions of Africa

North Africa
Ancient mosques have been in existence in this region for well over a thousand years, and false teaching has been ingrained in these people for centuries. However, God is bringing a harvest! Although we cannot publish much that happens in this region (due to security), the laborers who serve in this area are encouraged more than ever by the number of people who are seeking and asking about the Bible and are turning to faith in Jesus Christ! Besides strategic evangelism, we use a multi-pronged approach of Bible translation, radio, and education to spread the good news of the Gospel. One of our veteran missionaries has said that he has seen a greater number of salvations and baptisms in the past couple of years than he has in the last couple of decades! God is doing something special in this region, and we anticipate even greater results in the years to come!

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West Africa
BIMI missionaries have labored in this region since the early days of our mission board, and the countless national churches that exist today speak for themselves. God has given the missionaries in this area great success as they have used creative approaches - medical teams, literacy centers, and sports events to open areas which were previously closed to a Gospel witness. Now, to God's glory, these same villages have opened their doors, and the missionaries have seen churches planted as a result! The majority of salvation decisions each year come from this part of Africa. However, there are several countries that are in desperate need of missionaries!

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Central Africa

The central part of the Dark Continent is the one with the fewest missionaries per capita and yet, the Lord of the Harvest has called some fine families to minister in this area and in the islands along its coast. One of the biggest challenges these missionaries have faced is obtaining registration in their country, thus enabling them to purchase property and begin the process of building a church for the new believers. The Lord is giving us favor in the eyes of the government officials, and the Gospel has greater access than before!

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East Africa
Uganda, the "Pearl of Africa," is also the pearl of mission work in this region with well over 100 churches planted in this country. The large and diverse team of missionary families and single ladies are simply amazing as they search for new areas that are in need of the Gospel. Their ministry influences are now stretching into Southern Sudan, the Congo, as well as Rwanda. Elsewhere in East Africa, the well-established ministries in both Kenya and Tanzania are continuing to grow and multiply under both their missionary and national leadership. Pray for the new ministries being started in Ethiopia and Malawi.

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South Africa
This region is very diverse as it boasts of large cities, modern conveniences and excellent medical care, but also has jungle and remote areas with parts of Mozambique and Zimbabwe being some of the poorest in Africa. In God's perfect timing, He has answered long-standing prayers for laborers into several countries in this southern area of the continent. Some of the nations are Portuguesespeaking, others use African dialects, while still others use forms of English. We still are praying for missionaries for the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Lesotho!

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Single Missionary Ladies
With a significant number of single ladies serving with BIMI in Africa, I want to express my gratitude to the efforts of these faithful servants of God. These ladies work with approved church planters and labor tirelessly, giving of their time and energy, working alongside the church planter. Their ministry partners have expressed the absolute necessity of the participation of these ladies in ministry, and some have even remarked that they would not know how to continue without them! They serve as teachers, nurses, and translators laboring for their "family" — the African people. I salute each one and thank God for their tireless labor of love.

We rejoice in the fact that the Lord has allowed His work to advance in each region on the continent. Although we are met with great challenges with security, sickness, personnel, and local government corruption, we also see some incredible breakthroughs and obvious signs of His loving care over His servants. We anticipate an even greater future in His harvest field! Will you be willing to be a part?

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Missionaries in Africa (listed with BIMI account numbers)