March - 17

BURKINA FASO Population 10,382,000 Peoples Over 72 distinct ethno-linguistic groups in four major language families. Gur-Voltaic (35 groups) 75.7%. Mossi-Gurma: Mossi 4,541,000; Gurma 533,000. The Mossi are the dominant people in Burkina Faso and comprise 52% of the population. Gurunsi: Dagaari 287,000; Lyele 225,000; Bwamu 193,000; Kurumba 151,000; Nuna 110,000; Birifor 108,000; Kassena 84,000; Buli 70,000; Gurenne (Frafra) 25,100; Ko 16,200; Puguli 13,200; Kusale 12,600; Sissala 9,000; Pana 7,200. Senufo (11 groups): Karaboro 64,000; Nanerge 41,500; Tusian 32,000; Tagba 28,000; Bolon 11,000; Tiefo 10,000; Vige 6,700; Wara 4,500. Lobi-Lobiri: Lobi 175,500; Gouin 53,000; Turka 45,000; Doghosie 14,400; Dyan 14,100; Komono 3,000; Kaanba 7,600. Mande peoples: 10.8%. Bissa 322,000; Samo 218,000; Bobo 203,000; Marka 158,000; Jula 30,000; Sambla 16,000; Samogho 10,000. Fula 10%; two groups. Other African: 3.3%. Songhai 122,700; Tuareg 85,500; Hausa. Non-Africans: 0.2%. Arab 9,000; French and Westerners 7,000. Literacy 13%. Official language: French, spoken by 10% of the population. Trade languages: Moré (the language of the Mossi), Jula in south. All languages 72. Languages with Scriptures 5Bi 7NT 9por. Cities Ouagadougou 437,000. Urbanization 9%. Economy 83% of the population is dependent on subsistence agriculture and the intermittent rainfall. Much malnutrition and famine in the centre and north since early '70s. The economic outlook is bleak. Public debt/person $76. Income/person $310 (1.5% of USA). Politics Independent of France in 1960. A series of economic disasters destabilized a succession of governments. Six coups since 1966. The 1983 coup brought in a left-wing revolutionary regime which radicalized the structure and foreign relations of the country. The 1987 military coup halted many of the extremes of the former regime, but ambiguously defines itself as "revolutionary, democratic, anti-imperialist and secular". Religion The former regime was far less sympathetic to Christian churches and missionaries. The present climate is favourable to Christian outreach and aid programmes. Traditional religions 33%. Yet most of the population is animistic under a religious veneer. Muslim 48%. Growing rapidly in some areas. 10% of the country was Muslim in 1900. Christian 19%. Nom 5.8%. Affil 13.2%. Growth 5.4%. Protestant 5%. Affil 4.5%. Growth 11.9%. Roman Catholic 13.9%. Affil 8.6% Gr 2.6%. Foreign Marginal 0.02%. Affil 0.02%. Growth 8%. Indigenous Marginal 0.1%. Affil 0.1%. Growth 13.3%. 1. Praise God for growth and advance in the midst of revolution, drought and famine. Specifically: a) The spectacular accelerated growth of evangelical churches between 1983 and 1990. Membership more than doubled over that period. By the year 2000 over 14% of the population will be evangelical if this growth is maintained. b) Significant people movements with thousands of conversions among the Mossi (AoG), Lyele (SBC), Gurma (SIM), Bwamu, Bobo and Samo (CMA), Nuna and Sissala (Canadian Pentecostals); all but the Bobo are now over 5% evangelical. c) The vibrant AoG family of churches, with possibly half its quarter-million following converted out of a Muslim background. d) The first Burkinabé cross-cultural missionaries sent out to other lands, with AoG missionaries moving out to four African countries. e) Ten peoples without a Christian witness who are now being reached. 2. The Unreached. Despite church growth, increased missionary exertions and greater responsiveness, there remain over 28 peoples without an effective witness; 13 of these are Muslim. Most of these lie within the area of witness of existing missions. Pray for the recruitment and deployment of pioneer workers from Africa and the world to evangelize them. Pray also for the Burkina Church to pray and plan together for this. Specific challenges: a) Muslims who are stronger in the north but continue to grow in nearly every ethnic group. Only 20 missionaries are specifically committed to ministering among peoples comprising almost half the population: the urbanized Soninke, Jula and the rural Tuareg in the north (WH, AoG); Bolon in the northwest (AoG); Songhai in the northeast; Doghosie, Komono in the south. Strong political ties with Libya strengthen Muslim influence within the country. b) The partly nomadic Fulani who are beginning to respond through the witness of three SIM teams, and AoG workers. This outreach needs to be expanded. c) Unreached non-Muslim peoples: the Kurumba with a handful of AoG believers in the north, the Dogon of the northeast, the Bulsa and Gurenne on the Ghana border, the many Senufo sub-groups in the southwest (CMA and Mennonites), and the numerous small peoples of the south (WEC). 3. The power of the occult has yet to be decisively challenged and broken in many peoples of Burkina Faso. Few countries in West Africa are more dominated by idolatry, fetishism and secret societies. Especially strong is that of the many Lobiri peoples in the southwest (WEC area), Gurma (SIM) in the east, Gurunsi (Canadian Pentecostals, AoG), Senufo and Bobo (CMA) in the west. Pray that the power of the risen Christ might be demonstrated for the saving of many. 4. The Catholics have grown steadily, but the rate of growth slowed in the '80s. Some 11% of the Mossi and most of the Dagaari are Catholic, yet the strong idolatry and fetishism within the hearts of the converts is often unchallenged. 5. The dramatic expansion and even local revival conditions have strained the resources of the evangelical churches to cope with the influx of new converts. Leaders are too few, illiteracy is high, and economic hardship widespread. Pray for church leaders at this significant time. They need wisdom, humility, tact and firmness in the delicate political situation in the country. Pray also for Bible schools run by the major churches and missions in local languages and in French (SIM, CMA, AoG, WEC and Pentecostals). Pray for Christian leaders able to stand firm against the idolatrous practices of tribal society and against the demands of non-Christian national leaders. Pray that satanic hindrances to the ongoing growth of the Church in the '90s may be thwarted. 6. Young people are better educated than their parents and they enthusiastically supported the failed revolution. Local prospects for employment and advancement are poor, so they are frustrated and disillusioned. Few churches have effective programmes directed at children or young people. Pray for the work of SU in the high schools and the expanding ministry of GBUAF (IFES) in the high schools and Ouagadougou University. There are over 1,000 linked with the latter in cell groups around the country and one group of 60 in the university. More staff to expand the work is a great need. 7. The massive emigration of Burkinabé to the cities and to Côte d'Ivoire is both a challenge and an opportunity for the gospel. The social upheavals, family breakdowns and economic stagnation caused by the emigration of most of the active men in the community are severe. In 1990 there were estimated to be 1,500,000 Burkinabé in Côte d'Ivoire. It is reckoned that 70% of these convert to Islam within a few months of arrival. Only now are Burkina churches taking up the challenge by sending pastors and missionaries to these people -- especially AoG, CMA and WEC. Pray for an abundant harvest and effective church planting. 8. Missionaries working in Burkina Faso have a vital role in a land of so much physical and spiritual need. The work has been hard, and victories long in coming. Major missions working in the country are SIL/WBT (66 workers), CMA (51), Mennonites (46), SIM (41), WEC (24), AoG (15). Pray for their protection and encouragement. They need to know the Lord's priorities. Missionary reinforcements are needed in a wide range of ministries. 9. Christian aid and relief have been coordinated by the Federation of Evangelical Churches. Much is and has been done in alleviating suffering and staving off future disasters. Wisdom is needed by both missions and Christian leaders in the administration of this help. Massive internal migration, poor communications and distortion of the fragile local economy all too easily result. Pray for the hearts of both Muslims and fetishists to be opened to God's Word through such help. 10. Bible translation is a ministry of major significance. Only two indigenous languages have the whole Bible -- Moré and Bambara. SIL has 38 workers committed to 12 language programmes and is surveying the needs of 20 others. Five other missions are involved in translation work in 15 languages. Present and future translators need prayer to complete the immense task. Literacy programmes are needed for many areas so that Burkinabé may read the new translations. 11. Christian literature ministries are in the pioneer stage. The Bible Society is now legally registered. The Baptists, CMA and AoG have small bookstores in the capital, but a coordinated nationwide literature publication and distribution network would improve the situation. CLC has started ministry in the capital; pray that this and all literature ministries may lead to a literate and well-read church. 12. Media ministries. High levels of illiteracy and poverty and the limited availability of literature in local languages enhance the importance of other media. a) Radio is used by some churches for local Christian broadcasts, but lack of equipment and expertise is the bottleneck. b) Audio materials for evangelism and teaching have not been adequately used; GRn have made recordings in 40 languages and dialects. c) The Jesus film is proving a key pioneer evangelistic tool in Bambara/Jula and is in use or in preparation in Dogon, Bobo, Dagbani, Fula, Gurma and Soninke.