Christian Schools Provide the Key to Reaching the Unreached in Niger

AIMS News: Posted 9/1/2003

On his recent trip to Burkina Faso, "Abraham" traveled to Niger in West Africa to meet with pastors of 19 different denominations. Because the church in Niger was too small to launch a missionís mobilization effort, he asked the pastors what would be the best way to reach Niger for Christ. All the pastors agreed. Education is the key.

According to the U.N., Niger is one of the least educated countries in the world, ranking 162 out of 163 countries studied (1). "The educational opportunities are horrid," explained Abraham. "A child in Niger has less chance of receiving primary education than a child anywhere else in the world."

Recognizing the poor educational system, the government has agreed to provide land for organizations to begin schools in the country. The few private Christian schools already operating in Niger are among the best in the country and attract many influential students.

"It's unheard of to have a country that is 95-99% Muslim (2) to be as open as Niger," said Abraham. "The result has been that the children of leaders are being sent to these Christian schools. They are memorizing scripture and they are singing Christian songs every morning."

Although some Muslim parents have objected to the teaching about Jesus, they do not want to remove their children from the quality education they are receiving.

"All the kids are from unreached people groups. There are no reached people groups in Niger. It's easy to find the unreached people groups. They are all unreached."

Abraham desires to see this educational effort increase in Niger. Churches and denominations are already acquiring the land available from the government. AIMS in partnership with other organizations is seeking funding to build the school buildings on the land the churches acquire. The first of several Christian primary schools has already been pledged.

"This is a project that God laid on my heart some time ago," said Abraham. "We have the potential of multiplying whatís already happening on a very small scale by hundreds of times. By starting hundreds of schools across the country, we can raise up a whole generation of future leadership, who at the very least are sympathetic to Christians, but hopefully will receive the Lord and take the nation in a different direction."

(1) United Nations Development Programs. Educational Index (1999).

(2) According to Operation World, Muslims represent 97.6% of the population of Niger [Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, Operation World: When We Pray God Works, 21st Century Edition (Waynesboro, GA: Paternoster USA) 2001, p. 485.].