This past April, 55 indigenous missionaries working in northern Nigeria met in Jos for a workshop entitled, "Equipping for Effectiveness." The event was sponsored by the Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA) and was the first workshop as part of their "Operation Samaria" task force. These missionaries work in resistant areas, many of which are under Islamic Sharia law. The goal of the workshop was to encourage and equip them for sharing God's love among Muslims in the face of persecution and in difficult physical settings.

Resource people spoke on Islamic evangelism techniques, spiritual warfare, Islamic beliefs, health issues, and HIV/AIDS. There were also biblical messages to encourage them spiritually. The organizers faced many obstacles, including lack of funds, dry wells at the conference center, the breakdown of a water tanker truck on its way to the center, lack of transport money (so only 55 out of 200 got there), and the sudden illness of one of the key organizers.

But we rejoice in God's goodness. We heard excellent presentations and enjoyed "iron-sharpening-iron" discussions following each talk. We trust this will be the first of other workshops to build up the mission force in northern Nigeria.