Missionary Mobilization: Summer 2022 Update

Living water in West Africa

Music, folklore, poetry and proverbs characterize life in West Africa. It’s vibrant and has rhythm. Living can be difficult, though. Resources like clean water can be scarce.

Through the generosity of believers like you, missionaries are going out to engage those who have yet to hear the gospel. One of the teams sent from Pioneers Africa has ministered to their local community by building a well for clean water.

“For we are co-workers in God’s service…” – 1 Corinthians 3:9

This well has opened doors to engage the Fulani, whose population is only 0.3% Christian. Local believers are now leading Bible studies with Fulani herders who come to their community to use the well. During one Bible study session, the local believers asked, “For what are you thankful to God?” The Fulani responded with an outpouring of gratitude to the one true God for their provision of water.

Because of the goodwill created by the well, our missionaries and local believers also have the opportunity to use an audio recording with the Fulani. This tells the stories of the Bible from creation to Christ in their language.

We praise God for this opportunity among the unreached!

Our brothers and sisters in Africa thank you for your support.

Once a month, the spouses of our African missionaries pray together for new believers and for donors like you whose gifts and support keep their ministry going.

Mobilization in West Africa

Through the generosity of donors to the 2022 Co-Laborers Campaign and Pioneers Africa:

• We expect to train 20 new West African missionaries this year. Eight have already completed training and we will train more in October.
• We have increased the salaries of 82 veteran missionaries and addressing critically low levels of support for their families.
• A growing team in Burkina Faso is hosting oral Bible studies on the local radio station, reaching over half a million people every week.
• Teams from Pioneers Africa are now receiving training to use digital strategies to identify more seekers.

Mobilization in North Africa

Through the generosity of donors to the 2022 Co-Laborers Campaign and Pioneers Egypt:

• We trained 25 potential missionary candidates from Egypt and Sudan and will begin training 25 more in September.
• We have launched 13 new Bible study groups for more than 30 new believers in Sudan.
• Eight new believers have come to faith in Egypt and joined a local home church.

Highlight: Since Pioneers Egypt launched two years ago, they have launched 33 house churches with 390 members in Egypt and North Sudan. Some of these churches have even multiplied to a second-generation church-planting initiative!

“My strong desire is to go back to my family and share the gospel with them. I want all of them to be saved like me.” – A new Sudanese brother in Christ

‍Mobilization in North America

Through the generosity of donors to the 2022 Co-Laborers Campaign and Pioneers-USA:

• 72 missionary candidates attended orientation for short-term trips and long-term assignments.
• 42 missionaries have departed to the field for long-term service.
• Efforts to engage potential missionaries digitally have grown to include the Relentless Pursuit Podcast.

Challenge: U.S. mobilization is slowly bouncing back from the pandemic. It is more likely that only 150-200 new long-term candidates will be appointed this year instead of the goal of 225.

“What I will remember most about orientation is my appreciation for Pioneers’ core values and for an organization that wants to make sure we are as healthy and equipped as possible before going to the field.” – U.S. missionary candidate

Donors gave $2,200,000 to this campaign

• These funds are mobilizing missionaries from West Africa, North Africa and the U.S.
• We will place new missionaries among at least 35 unreached people groups.

Amani’s story

Born and raised in Sudan, “Amani” experienced a difficult childhood. Amani’s parents had two different faiths and his father severely mistreated him when he was a child.

Thankfully, God planted a seed of hope in Amani’s heart as he was growing up. Amani had Christians in his life, and he wanted to be like them because they seemed much happier than he was. But he didn’t know how to become a believer.

When Amani moved to Egypt as an adult, his brother, a member of Pioneers Egypt, invited him to join a new house church in the city. They began to study the Bible every week, and Amani’s eyes were opened to the truth. He eventually prayed with his brother and came to faith! Now, Amani shares,

“My strong desire is to go back to my family and share the gospel with them. I want all of them to be saved like me.”

Please pray for Amani! It is dangerous for him to be open about his faith. And thank you for giving to make his story possible.