Contagious Faith in the Desert
In addition to French and Arabic, approximately 144 different languages and dialects are spoken in Chad. Added to this are the extreme aridity of vast desert areas and the often oppressive heat. Under these conditions, spreading the Gospel is a major challenge. Nevertheless, several Chadian organizations—with hundreds of evangelists and missionaries—have answered the call and decided to take action. Some come from Muslim backgrounds themselves and are characterized by remarkable dedication and a credible, infectious testimony.
On the Road with Nomads
This is also true of Mahmoud*, an evangelist who encountered Jesus in a dream. As a former Muslim, he does not shy away from accompanying nomadic tribes for many kilometers to share God's love with them. He possesses a special gift for reconciliation and is frequently called upon as a mediator in interreligious conflicts. His faith is contagious.
Time and again, people decide to follow Christ and be baptized.
Challenges of Changing One's Faith
Although Chad has a secular constitution and religious affiliation is not recorded in official documents, changing one's faith can still entail great dangers—especially within Muslim families. Mahmoud, for example, tells the story of a young man who told his parents about his new faith, even though the evangelist had advised him against it. The convert was severely abused and subsequently imprisoned. Mahmoud picked up the phone, contacted the police officer in charge, and courageously demanded that the young man be released within 30 minutes. Twenty-seven minutes later, confirmation came: the prisoner was free.
Blessed Peanuts
To avoid dependence on foreign aid, some missionaries choose to earn a living through farming. Job*, a trained theologian, asked a village chief for a plot of land to grow peanuts. After a successful first harvest, he sold part of it and gave the rest away so that his neighbors could save their own seed. In the second year, he set out to cultivate an entire hectare. When his son asked how they were supposed to manage that without draft animals, Hiob came up with a creative solution: He attached his plow to a motorcycle. His son steered the vehicle while Hiob plowed. With just five liters of gasoline, the work was done. The harvest yielded about a hundred sacks. Hiob's ingenuity impressed the entire village—and also lent great weight to his message.
Unity Is Essential
There are many such stories. Yet the number of courageous workers is far from sufficient for all unreached regions. That is why ACP has begun mobilizing, training, and networking missionaries in the east and north of the country. In June of this year, a conference was held for the first time in Abéché, attended by 125 evangelists from various denominations—a significant first.
Local leaders encouraged everyone to continue on this path, as Christians in Chad are often divided by denominational tensions and differing visions. It is not uncommon for other Christians to be perceived as competitors. But this attitude obscures the common goal. During the conference, something began to change: People slept side by side on the same mats, ate together from the same bowl, and sang the same songs together. Step by step, barriers began to fall. God worked in a special way during this time, granting physical healings and profound transformations. A married couple, full-time missionaries Annabi* and Debora*, report: “When we arrived, we were drained and exhausted. We could no longer carry out our local ministry the way it was supposed to be. The conference encouraged us greatly. We received new strength to continue our work and reach the unreached.”
* Names changed
