The Gambia and ABWE Canada

The Spiritual Need in The Gambia

In The Gambia, 90 percent of the population is Muslim, 8 percent is Christian, and 2 percent claim indigenous beliefs. According to the Joshua Project, there are still 17 unreached people groups in The Gambia, including the Wolof people.

The Wolof language is wide-spread in The Gambia, with the majority of people groups in the country understanding it. Although the official language is English, in the interior, local languages are predominant. As a result, evangelism must be done in the local language in order to be effective. Rural ministry is done in the Wolof language and ministers to Muslims, while urban ministry is conducted primarily in English and reaches nationals and expatriates from many countries.

Some Muslims have come to faith in Jesus Christ, and many others are hearing God’s Word on a regular basis. The fields in The Gambia are ripe to harvest, but the laborers are few.

ABWE Canada in The Gambia

ABWE Canada’s vision is to have church planters strategically located in every region of The Gambia so that we can evangelize, disciple, and prepare Muslims to lead the local churches of the future. Our missionary team is reaching out to areas surrounding each of the ministry bases, but in order to have repeat contact with many people, we need a larger team.

To date, we are having great success reaching the Gambian people through medical work, agriculture, literacy development, radio ministry, and education. Wolof-speaking people are calling each week to receive more information about the Bible’s teachings. We desperately need additional missionaries who can help us respond to The Gambia’s growing hunger for the truth.

Additionally, it is important for missionaries here to learn the local Wolof culture and language and initiate redemptive relationships with the Wolof people and other Muslim-background people groups. Working alongside Gambian leaders, missionaries will help them develop strong, healthy churches throughout the unreached communities.

Will you help us introduce them to the love of Jesus?