Praise God with us for 80 years of God's faithfulness amidst SIM work in the country of Niger. Celebrations to commemorate this milestone anniversary took place in villages, towns and cities across this West African nation in late 2004.

Fifteen pioneer SIM missionaries returned to Niger from their retirement in North America and helped give the reunions a personal and historical flavor. Traveling to many of the original mission stations, they were overjoyed to see believers and churches flourishing in Muslim contexts where decades before, no Christian believers had existed.

Today, five distinct church groups are established in Niger as a result of SIM work. These include 120 different congregations.

A unified church celebration took place Sunday morning, 5 December, in the capital city of Niamey. About 800 people attended this heart-warming event where Jesus was given the glory and praise for transformed lives and communities across the nation. Taking communion together with mission workers and Nigerien believers from every church group was moving. In the past, churches have held strong disagreements, but healing and restoration in recent years means that a spirit of unity and Christian love saturated the events and made the celebrations all the more significant.

Many groups decked themselves out in full SIM anniversary cloth. The blue cloth, designed by Nigeriens, depicts the logos of SIM and all five church groups as well as the words "Pray without ceasing" in English, French, Hausa, and other languages. This was in recognition of SIM's motto: By Prayer.

As the official conference continued Friday night and all day Saturday, 10-11 December, the mood of celebration and camaraderie grew warmer and more exuberant. Many were touched when the older generation of Nigerien believers and missionaries recounted the stories of sacrifice and perseverance that brought the message of Jesus' love and spiritual freedom to their homes. Photos and a special Memories PowerPoint brought the early days to life visually, and the presence of the elderly missionaries lent unmistakable impact. The youth in particular conveyed their gratitude and surprise since many had been unaware of the cost it took to bring their parents and grandparents the gospel that they enjoy today.

Nigerien churches expressed an ownership in the task of carrying the gospel of Jesus to the rest of the unreached, both within their Muslim nation and beyond. In light of the fact that the purpose of SIM is to "disciple believers into churches" and "equip churches to fulfill the Great Commission," such a resolve on the part of the Nigerien church was indeed the greatest reward and fulfillment that SIM could ever hope to hear. Together, church and mission move forward into a new era of world mission where the majority world (formerly called "third world") church takes on the mantle of missions.

Much prayer, planning and work were poured into this celebration and it was more than worth it. Eighty years ago, heat, sand and spiritual desolation greeted SIM's first workers. But God's faithfulness is unmistakable from the vantage point of years. For any who are discouraged about the state of the church and the obstacles it faces either internally or externally, let them be encouraged by the church in Niger! The Holy Spirit is with them, and we look forward with great expectation to the transformation still possible in the world because of the presence of Jesus in their midst.

Read about the tour of the 15 SIM pioneer missionaries who returned to Niger

Read about the tour from the perspective of the founders of Galmi Hospital.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. Psalms 145:3-4