Dramatic Changes, Unprecedented Opportunities
We hear Syria is struggling to implement a workable ceasefire. Could it be a new day is dawning for the people of the ancient Levant? Yet even should a ceasefire come to pass there, tensions rise elsewhere, as Sub-Saharan Africa is becoming the next bastion of Islamic fighters.
North Africa Keeps Changing
Libya is navigating through the tensions of its ethnic & ideological factions, making it hard to predict any possibility of unity and a way forward to democracy in the nation.
Tunisia is the only country in the region that has successfully laid foundations for its freedom and democracy, but those plans are still in their inception. As that nation hopes to recover a healthy economy, her people are still experiencing hardship and unemployment.
Morocco, however, is paving the way for political change, allowing more freedom of speech. The constitution of 2011 guarantees freedom of worship, yet in practice Christians and churches are being persecuted.
In spite of all the challenges, the Lord continues to move in spectacular ways among North Africans. In Algeria, the Joshua Project estimates the annual growth rate of Christianity is 8.1 %, when the global growth rate is only 2.6%.
This region’s staggering demographic changes create unprecedented opportunities for the gospel to be preached:
- These mutations of the North African population will require new socio-economic models. The stage is set for an intense religious clash. The Muslim majority will still push for reform in favor of Islam, while other minorities and the army would likely favor a transition to democracy.
- The recent announcement of the ailing Algerian president Bouteflika’s plan to run for a fifth term has sparked unheard-of antagonistic marches across the country.
Whether it’s transition to new leadership or significant growth in a religious minority, such changes create a climate of uncertainty, in which people seek the hope and peace to be found in Christ alone.
In the midst of these uncertainties, CNA continues to sow the word through Internet streaming and social media. And our follow-up teams on the ground nurture the seeds we have planted online.
Praise God we can keep reaching these needy souls!
Testimony of a New Brother in Christ
“My name is Lamara. I am 50 years old. I have a Muslim background; I practiced Islam as all Muslims do, but I had never felt that God loved me.
“All the time I worked, because life had taught me if you want to be happy you must be rich. So I worked all the time and at last I became rich. I had achieved what I wanted, but I was always nervous, tired, and unhappy.
“I had a Christian friend who told me about Jesus many times, but I was never interested.
“Once while watching TV I was surprised by the CNA channel, because I had never heard about a God who spoke my own language. So I loved it and I invited my wife and my child to follow it.
“God touched me while I was looking the program. Today I am a believer, along with my family. We have now opened our home as a church for the glory of God.
“I thank God for CNA because it has been a blessing for us and for many people.”
Prayer Points:
- Pray the Lord will raise up 5 more churches to pledge $10K a year to restore our satellite broadcasts.
- Praise the Lord for continuing His work through CNA even while our satellite signal is silent.
- Pray for boldness and protection for our follow-up teammates in North Africa.
- Praise the Lord for bringing more North African people into His kingdom!
- Pray for Algeria’s April 18 elections.
Photo Captions:
FRONT PAGE—
{Aerial view of demonstrations} – Demonstrators protest Algerian president Bouteflika’s bid for a 5th term.
BACK PAGE—
{Baptism in pool} – A city house church held this baptism service at a pool in Sfax, Tunisia.
{3 men} – These Algerian men recognized Ali from CNA and couldn’t wait to share with him what the Lord has done in their lives since they came to faith.
{Man with baby} – This man and his father may be the only Christians in their very Muslim town.
{Man on right speaking to small group} – Follow-up teammate Mouloud explained the gospel to this mother who had never come to church with her children before. Now all believe!
