Hostile
Chad
Chad is a country with two very different regions, ecologically and religiously. From the north to the center of the country, the land is mostly sandy desert with a population that is mostly Muslim. Toward the south, Chad has savannas and farmlands, with a population that is predominantly Christian. Thriving churches exist in southern Chad, but the central and northern regions of the country have few churches, and Christians gather for worship and fellowship at great risk. The word Chad means “large body of water” in a local language, and Lake Chad lies on the country’s western borders with Nigeria and Niger. Islamic terrorist groups aligned with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) and other groups such as Boko Haram are active in parts of the country, particularly in the Lake Chad basin.
Major Religion
57 percent of Chadians are Muslim, 25 percent are Christian and 17 percent practice local tribal religions.
Persecutor
Christians are persecuted by family and community members.
What It Means To Follow Christ In Chad
In Chad’s southern region, Christians form the majority, and churches can operate openly and freely. But in Muslim majority areas, few churches exist, and those who leave Islam to follow Christ face great danger. Family members and communities severely persecute Christian converts from Islam. Many have had their spouses and children taken from them, have been beaten and have been threatened. Some have been killed.
Access to Bibles
Christians in the south can purchase Bibles in the capital, N’Djamena, but they are expensive for most Chadians. In rural areas, Bibles are hard to find and unavailable in Muslim-majority regions. Give Bibles
VOM Work
VOM is connecting with local ministries and churches to determine how to serve persecuted Christians in Chad. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Pray for Chad
- Pray that Christians attacked by militant Muslims will find healing and extend forgiveness to their attackers.
- Pray for Christians in southern Chad targeted in raids by militant Fulani Muslims.
- Pray that Christians will be able to receive and study God's Word and that Bible distribution efforts will bear fruit.
- Pray for new believers rejected or physically abused by their Muslim family members.
