Prayer in these uncertain times

“These are uncertain times.” How often have you heard those with hope in a future reality. Faith is the assurance of things hoped words in the last year and a half? We are all aware of the for. Faith is hope with certainty. Later in the chapter, the Hebrews times we are living in. Not even children are spared from today’s writer points out several named and unnamed individuals whose faith realities. How do you explain to a six-year-old that they must wear endured, even though the promises were not realised in their time. If a piece of cloth over their mouth and nose before they can go what is hoped for is not realised, then what kind of faith is that?

outside? Or that their teachers will only appear on a small screen, It is a faith anchored in God and accessed only through the instead of giving them a hug in the doorway of their classroom?

Word and prayer. Yes, we live in uncertain times, but when has These are uncertain times indeed. Pandemic – a word once our world ever been certain? From history, we know the world has confined to the realm of history books and medical discussions always lurched from one crisis to another and from one difficulty to

– has become a household word around the world. In any another, be it economic upheaval, war, natural disaster, manmade country and any home, whether mansion or hovel, this word disaster, ravaging diseases or something else. There has never is spoken because a virus is no respecter of borders or social been a time when our world was not experiencing uncertainty.

status. The word “lockdown” is now as familiar around dinner As someone said, “Look where you will around the world, there is tables as “please pass the salt”. The pandemic has not changed nowhere with stable peace; where there is no actual fighting, there the ever-present local and regional conflicts worldwide, nor the is grave tension, and where the tensions are not international, they opposition to the gospel that is always with us. At a time like are local.”

this, faith in the Lord – faith born and strengthened in the quiet SIM founder Rowland Bingham wrote in a letter dated December place of prayer – is the only certainty we can count on.

16, 1935: “The early months of the year were very trying and The prophet Habakkuk prophesied in the season before our workers sorely tested. But that very condition brought about Babylon overtook Judah. Bewildered, the prophet made his many answers to prayer that in the coming years will give forth a complaint to the Lord. Chapter two opens with him stationing testimony of God’s faithfulness in stress and strain that would not himself on the watchtower, alert and keeping watch to see what otherwise have been possible.” This is the same letter in which our the Lord will say to him. Indeed, the Lord hears and speaks: mission’s motto, By Prayer, first appeared.

“Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just In the light of today’s uncertainties, what do people of faith shall live by his faith” (v.4). If the just or righteous should live by do? They pray. As in the days of Habakkuk when evil reigned and faith in those troubling times, we must do no less today.

Babylon was on the horizon, as in the days of our pioneers who The author of Hebrews, at the end of Chapter 10, encourages faced down violence and disease to carry the good news of Jesus his readers to persevere and not give up: “For you have need burning in their hearts, so we, too, must pray. They went out with of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you the certainty of hope, made sure through prayer. We, too, must may receive what was promised” (10:36 NASB). Then he pivots confront an uncertain world with the certainty of prayer. Join us to explain what real faith is: “Now faith is the certainty of things in 2022 in an uncertain world, to anchor our faith in our Lord hoped for, a proof of things not seen” (11:1).

“By Prayer”.

This definition of faith comforts us in a time of uncertainty Joshua Bogunjoko,

because faith concerns itself not just with the current reality, but SIM International Director

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Prayer Calendar

Foreword

1 Angola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 18 Nepal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Welcome to the 2022 Prayer Guide. The purpose of this prayer

Introduction

Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . 84

mobilisation tool is to inform, inspire and invite readers like you

Dr Joshua Bogunjoko,

2 Bangladesh . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 19 Niger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

to pray for SIM ministries all around the world.

International Director . . . 2

Benin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

The information includes each ministry team’s vision,

Foreword . . . . . . . . 5

3 Bolivia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 20 North Africa . . . . . . . . . . . 90

their types of ministry, prayer points and descriptions of

Botswana . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Pakistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

communities where Christ is least known. The phrase “where

Purpose & Vision. . 6

4 Burkina Faso . . . . . . . . . . . 24 21 Paraguay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Christ is least known” is lifted from SIM’s Purpose and

Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Core Values. . . . . . . 8

Mission Statement.

5 Chile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 22 Philippines . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Please share the 2022 Prayer Guide freely and broadly with

Côte d’Ivoire . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Senegal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

all who would like to join us in praying for what God is doing 6 East African Office . . . . . 32 23 South Africa . . . . . . . . . . 102

through SIM.

East Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

South Sudan and

7 Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Sudan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Eritrea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

24 Sri Lanka . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

8 Ethiopia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . 108

France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

25 Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

9 Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Thailand . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

26 Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

10 Guinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

United Kingdom . . . . . . 116

India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

27 United States . . . . . . . . . 118

11 Indonesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Uruguay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 28 Vietnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Kenya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

West Africa Missions

12 Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Latin America . . . . . . . . . . 60

West Malaysia . . . . . . . . 126

If you would like 13 Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 29 Zambia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

to pray through

Madagascar . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Sports Friends . . . . . . . . 132

this Prayer Guide 14 Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

in a one-month

Mali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

30 International Leadership

& Services . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

rotation, use 15 Mascarene Islands . . . . . . 70

Regional Service

the numbers to

Middle East . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

the left of each 16 Mongolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Faithful Witness . . . . . . 138

country name as

Mozambique . . . . . . . . . . 76

31 SIM Worldwide . . . . . . . 140

calendar days of 17 Myanmar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Prayer for Renewal . . . . 142

Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®

the month.

Namibia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . 144

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Purpose and Mission

Vision

Convinced that

The vision of SIM is to see

no one should live and die

• a witness to Christ’s love where He is least known, without hearing God’s good news,

• disciples of Jesus expressing God’s love in their communities, we believe that He has called us

• and Christ-centred churches among all peoples.

to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ

in communities where He is least known.

By faith we see…

Therefore, compelled by God’s great love and empowered by the in the world:

Holy Spirit…

• A vibrant testimony to the gospel through character, word,

• We cross barriers to proclaim the crucified and risen Christ, and action among communities where Jesus is least known.

expressing his love and compassion among those who live

• Followers of Jesus living out the gospel in unity and in the and die without Him.

power of the Holy Spirit, making disciples who trust Him,

• We make disciples who will trust and obey Jesus, and become obey Him, and play a full part in church life.

part of Christ-centred churches.

• Churches serving their communities and reaching out with

• We work together with churches to fulfil God’s mission across the gospel locally and globally.

cultures locally and globally.

• We facilitate the participation in cross-cultural ministry of in SIM:

those whom God is calling.

• A community growing in faith, in obedience to Jesus, and in ministry competence.

• Workers crossing barriers with the gospel, being and making disciples of Jesus, expressing his love and compassion.

• Multi-ethnic and multi-skilled teams serving together in love and harmony.

• Courageous leaders investing in the development of others for life-transforming ministries.

• Effective partnerships with Christ-centred churches and organisations facilitating the spread of the Gospel.

in eternity:

• The redeemed from all tribes, languages, peoples, and nations worshipping the Living God.

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SIM Core Values

We are a gospel community that is:

1 Committed to Biblical Truth

6 Concerned About Human Needs

We are committed to biblical truth and joyfully affirm historic, We humbly acknowledge that the ultimate human need is to evangelical Christianity. With courage, we declare to the nations know God. We also believe that He has called us to carry out the good news of new life in Jesus Christ.

compassionate, holistic service in this broken world by alleviating 2

suffering, fostering development and affecting change in society.

Dependent on God

“By prayer” and in faith, we depend on God for the provision of all of our needs. We will demonstrate diligence, integrity, sharing 7 A Christlike Community

We desire to be a transformational community dedicated to and accountability in cultivating and using the resources God becoming like Christ in love, servanthood, holiness and obedi-provides.

ence to the Father. We believe that following Christ’s example 3

means sacrifice, hardship at times and perhaps even death.

A People of Prayer

Prayer is foundational in our life and ministry. “By prayer” we 8 A Learning, Growing Community

praise God, seek His direction, request resources and call upon We believe in the worth and giftedness of each person in SIM

the Holy Spirit to empower our ministries.

and of those we seek to serve. As enduring disciplines, we 4

practice giving and receiving discipleship, life-long learning, Mission-Focused

consultative leadership, mutual development and training.

We are committed to the urgent and unfinished task of making disciples of Jesus Christ in all nations. In doing this, we desire 9 Strengthened Through Diversity

to work in loving, trusting, interdependent relationships with We are intentionally interdenominational, international and churches and other partners who share our vision.

multi-ethnic. We believe we will become more effective in 5

ministry as we incorporate the richness of cultural diversity in Church-Centred

SIM and celebrate our oneness in Christ.

We are committed to being a mission organisation that establishes, nurtures and equips churches to be an expression 10 Responsive to Our Times

of Christ in their communities and reach out with cross-cultural, We will respond with creativity and courage to evolving needs missional vision and action.

and opportunities under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In order to ensure they are effective and relevant, our ministries, priorities and structures are subject to ongoing evaluation and adaptation.

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Summary of SIM’s

Core Values

(with references to the 10 Core Values)

We are:

We are:

Dependent on God

Dependent on God

We are people of prayer. We trust in our faithful God and affirm the We are people of prayer. We trust in our faithful God and affirm the truth of the Bible.

truth of the Bible.

Committed to biblical truth, Dependent on God, People of Prayer, A Christ-like community

Diverse

We are one in Christ. We embrace, and are strengthened by, the Diverse

international, interdenominational and multi-ethnic diversity of We are one in Christ. We embrace, and are strengthened by, the international, his church.

interdenominational and multi-ethnic diversity of His church.

Christ-like community, Strengthened through diversity, A learning growing Disciples of Jesus who make disciples

community, Responsive to our times, Committed to Biblical truth We cross barriers to fulfil God’s global, urgent and unfinished mission.

Disciples of Jesus who make disciples

We cross barriers to fulfil God’s global, urgent and unfinished mission.

Church-centred

Mission-focused, A learning, growing community, A Christ-like community, We are part of Christ’s church and together we plant, nurture and Committed to Biblical truth

equip churches.

Church-centred

Compassionate

We are part of Christ’s church and together we plant, nurture and equip churches.

We are people of love. We humbly offer compassionate, holistic Church centred, Committed to biblical truth, Mission-focused service and eternal hope, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Compassionate

Community

We are people of love. We humbly offer compassionate, holistic service and We live a life of integrity in obedience to God and in relationship eternal hope, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

with each other as we listen, learn, grow, and innovate together Concerned about human needs, A Christ-like community, Responsive to our times under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Community

We are God-dependent, diverse, disciples in a We live a life of integrity in obedience to God and in relationship with each church-centered, compassionate community.

other as we listen, learn, grow, and innovate together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

A Christ-like community, A learning, growing community, Responsive to our times, Committed to Biblical truth

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Angola

Day 1

1

1

Communities where Christ is least known

LUANDA

Kuvale, Himba, Vahakawona

Located in southwestern Angola, the majority of Kuvale, Himba, and Vahakawona, live

Luena

without the gospel. They are semi-nomadic,

After this I looked, and there before

Cavango

raising cattle and goats in a region frequently me was a great multitude, that no one

Lubango

Catota

affected by drought. There are only a handful of could count, from every nation, tribe,

Menongue

churches among these three groups.

Rio de Huila

people and language standing before

Tchincombe

the throne and before the Lamb.

Revelation 7:9a

Ovangambwe e Ovamwila (Nyaneka)

These two closely related groups are also in south western Angola. The Ovangambes’ lives revolve around keeping cattle. A church is

Vision

well established, with five preaching points.

In a culturally, linguistically and economically diverse environment, SIM Angola Believers are awakening to the lordship of

partners with churches to make disciples of Christ in communities where He is least Jesus and are now turning their backs on spirit known, training and mentoring individuals and groups through diverse ministries.

worship practices.

The Ovamwila, are largely rural subsistence Ministry

farmers. Many young people, and some elders,

• Nyaneka Bible translation, literacy and theological-education-by-extension.

have turned to the Lord and are keen to evangelise. Village churches and preaching

• Animal husbandry and agriculture amongst the Ovangambwe.

points are multiplying. The New Testament in Nyaneka is nearing completion. Only six

• Primary health care and community health amongst the Ovamwila.

of these village churches have leaders with basic Bible training.

• Medical and surgical hospitals and obstetrical fistula surgical programme.

• Post-graduate training for Angolan medical graduates.

• Equipping pastors and church leaders to be effective disciple-makers in their Pray for

homes, churches and communities.

• national mission workers for all the least-reached communities of Angola

• Theological education and leadership development for local pastors and church leaders.

• translators for the 15 languages in Angola still needing Bible translations

• Training pastors and leaders in youth engagement and ministry.

• disciple-making to become the DNA of churches throughout Angola. Many believers need to discover a daily walk with Jesus as his disciples

• completion of the Jesus Film in the Nyaneka and Kuvale languages this year

• the Jesus Film to be greatly used to make Jesus known in south western Angola Prayer Notes

• the revision phase and publication of the 25 Nyaneka Theological-Education-by-Extension books and their profitable use in study groups

• many patients in our various health ministries to know Jesus, especially marginalised women with fistulas and patients with tuberculosis or HIV and AIDS

• additional SIM personnel for health, theological education, youth, and literacy ministries.

Currently, we have a high proportion of retirement-age SIM mission workers

• wisdom and patience in dealing with day-to-day challenges.

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Australia

Day 1

1

1

Communities where Christ is least known Increasing secularisation

Traditionally a Christian nation with freedom of religion, Australia is becoming increasingly secularised. The dominant ideology has become an individualistic, New Brisbane

This same good news that came

Age spirituality with no accountability.

to you is going out all over

While 52.1 per cent of Australians identify themselves in some way as Christian, Perth

Sydney

the world. It is bearing fruit

only eight per cent attend church regularly.

Adelaide

everywhere by changing lives…

Antagonism is increasing (especially in the media) CANBERRA

Colossians 1:6a

towards the church and its perceived intolerance Melbourne

and authoritarianism.

Immigrants, refugees, overseas

students

Vision

With 30 per cent of the population born

Convinced that everyone needs to hear the gospel, our heart is to make disciples overseas and receiving up to 700,000

of Jesus in communities where He is least known. We partner with local Australian international students each year prior to

churches in equipping and sending out cross-cultural gospel workers, with a variety of Covid-19, Australia is one of the most culturally skills and talents, to serve in a diverse range of ministries.

diverse nations in the world.

These immigrants and students have brought

Ministry

a variety of religions with them. To faithfully

• To follow Jesus in his mission, both in Australia and overseas.

reach these people groups in our own backyard,

• To inspire and partner with churches, in order for them to fulfil God’s local, cross-SIM Australia has developed a local ministry called Across. Across helps SIM mission cultural, and global mission.

workers within Australia to reach communities which have yet to hear the gospel, such

• To mobilise and equip mission workers to reach the least-reached with the gospel, as migrants, refugees, and university students.

both globally and locally through the Across ministry.

• As stewards, to provide efficient and effective support services to help churches, mission workers, donors, and prayer partners to do their works of service.

Pray for

• To promote ways for people to play their part in God’s global mission, whether that

• SIM Australia’s mission workers to follow Jesus closely and know his empowering be through ministry opportunities, prayerful support, or financial partnership.

to be effective and fruitful in their ministry

• sending and supporting churches to grow in their engagement beyond current mission workers and see mission as central to church ministry Prayer Notes

• the Lord of the Harvest to raise up more churches and workers in communities where Christ is least known, both overseas and locally through Across

• more Australian believers to discover the part they can play in God’s global mission (in active service, or as a prayerful and/or financial partner) 14

15

Bangladesh

Day 2

1

Communities where Christ is least known 2

Bengali

The Bengali are the largest ethnic community Rajshahi

in Bangladesh, a densely populated country

Gazipur

of more than 160 million people. Bengalis are Comilla

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful,

conversational, hospitable, and community-

DHAKA

but the workers are few. Ask the Lord

Faridpur

minded people. Many of them revere God but

of the harvest, therefore, to send out

don’t know the Good News as presented in

workers into His harvest field.”

the Bible.

luke 10:2

The capital, Dhaka, is home to more

than 18 million people. Floods and cyclones Vision

frequently bring suffering to this country

We desire to see people from all backgrounds loving the Creator with all their hearts where many already live in poverty.

and loving their neighbours and their communities as themselves.

Ministry

Pray for

• Partnering with local people for outreach work.

• local partners in outreach work

• Children’s Uplift Programme: working with women and their children who are

• the formation of communities who love

vulnerable or are survivors of human trafficking.

their Creator and each other

• Arsenic poisoning prevention programme: providing education, filters and

• our workers to adapt well to the new realities of life in Bangladesh treatment for arsenic poisoning, a common ailment in Bangladesh.

during the Covid-19 pandemic, including increased risk and decreased

• Transformation centres: providing education opportunities, such as English face-to-face communication

language classes and primary classes for children in the slums in order to promote

• victims of human trafficking, mostly women and children, who face terrible new development in impoverished communities.

circumstances and often lose hope that they will obtain freedom

• Morningstar Children’s Centre: a slum school that reaches out to poor children and

• a favourable relationship with the Bangladeshi government their families.

• Salam Training Centre: a vocational school providing trade training for young people to develop life skills.

• Bible correspondence school: a distance learning school to disciple believers throughout the country.

Prayer Notes

16

17

Benin

Day 2

Communities where Christ is least known 2

Simpérou

2

Kandi

Natitingou

Wangara-Dendi

Bembéréké

The Dendi are a proud and influential people Sinéndé

Djougou

group in the north of Benin. They stem from

“God our Saviour, (who) desires all

Parakou

ancient caravan communities, but over time

people to be saved and to come to the

have also adopted a strong Muslim identity

knowledge of the truth.”

and developed a language. They tend to be

1 timothy 2 v 3b-4:

either farmers or traders and dominate the

northern markets and transport industry. As PORTO NOVO

a result, Wangara-Dendi is now a language of wider communication in the large northern

COTONOU

cities of Djougou and Parakou.

In 2019, the book of Genesis was published

in Wangara-Dendi alongside a literacy primer Vision

and the Genesis Film. SIM workers have been In a spirit of collaboration, we see Benin churches becoming mature, missional, using these tools to tell people about Jesus.

dynamic, filled with disciples obedient to the Word of God, imitators of Christ, In 2022, a team will continue translating the dependent on the Holy Spirit, and full of compassion. In unity, we see these disciples of Bible and take up opportunities to express

all ages serving according to their gifts for the glory of God.

the love, truth and compassion of Jesus

Christ. Each week, up to five Christian radio messages are aired in Wangara-Dendi Ministry

via two community radio stations and one national broadcaster. People regularly call

• Bible translation and literacy.

to express interest or ask for prayer. Local believers use digital media to share gospel

• Radio outreach.

messages with Dendi contacts who often listen on their phones. Pray that God will draw people to his truth through these initiatives.

Pray for

• local believers in Djougou and Parakou, that they will grow in courage and desire to share Jesus with their Wangara-Dendi neighbours

• opportunities to express the love, truth and compassion of Jesus Christ to the Wangara-Dendi

Prayer Notes

• an increase in funding to ensure least-reached communities will continue to hear, understand, and be transformed by Christian radio messages

• more personnel and resources to strengthen the administrative capacity of local church partners

• the SIM Benin Togo leadership team as they adapt to the retirement of several workers. This is challenging existing structures but also opening up new opportunities 18

19

Bolivia

Day 3

Communities where Christ is least known 3

Children with special needs

3

Bolivian society often overlooks the challenges faced by children with special needs and their LA PAZ

families. SIM Bolivia is targeting this least Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask

Santa Cruz

reached sector of Bolivian society, to help provide for in prayer, believe that you have

received it, and it will be yours.

education and serve the needs of these children Cochabamba SUCRE

maRk 11:24

and their families.

Potosi

The SIM mission workers who will spearhead

this ministry are currently getting further education and planning how to reach these children.

Quechuas in urban areas

Vision

Quechua people have moved to urban areas in To see Bolivians incarnating the gospel in their community, country, and world.

great numbers over the last three decades due to drought and other challenges in the rural highlands Ministry

of Bolivia. They have moved to cities in search of

• Evangelising and discipling professionals.

work, educational opportunities for their children,

• Outreach to shoe-shiners.

and a better lifestyle.

• Outreach to Quechuas in urban and rural areas.

SIM workers partner with small congregations

• Developing current and future church leaders.

of Quechua migrants who live on the expanding

• Ministering to children with special needs.

urban fringe. Our workers are helping build capacity in these churches, so that the

• Collaborating with the Bolivian church to raise up mission workers.

congregations will be better able to reach their own people with the gospel.

Pray for

• SIM workers who are pursuing further education and planning how to reach children with special needs

• perspectives courses, Equipping Servants International, and theological training to prepare gospel workers to reach their own people and beyond

• God to use SIM’s medical ministry, English classes and other unique outreaches to Prayer Notes

bring people closer to Him

• partner ministries, including COPROMEC (which produces Sunday school material), Mosoj Chaski radio (which reaches Quechua people), and Camp Kewiña

• teachers and staff for Carachipampa Christian School, as they educate, reach, and disciple students, and reach their students’ parents

• grace, unity, and cultural understanding, as we live and work in multi-ethnic and multi-generational teams

20

21

Botswana

Day 3

Communities where Christ is least known 3

3

Remote dwel ers of the Kalahari Desert

Francistown

The San are considered to have the oldest culture Rakops

in the world. Beautiful San rock art can be seen throughout southern Africa, where the San lived And how can anyone preach

as hunter-gatherers. The San are expert hunters, unless they are sent? As it is

Ukwi

Kang

written: “How beautiful are

using bows and poison-tipped arrows. Hunting is the feet of those who bring

a collaborative exercise, and the meat is always GABORONE

good news!”

shared among the group.

Romans 10:15

Over the past 2,000 years, the San have slowly been pushed to live in the arid sands of the Kalahari Desert by Bantu tribes and white farmers, who have taken the more fertile land for their crops and livestock. Today, the San find it very Vision

difficult to maintain their traditional culture and By faith, we see:

lifestyle. Land tthe San used to hunt on is increasingly being used for grazing cattle.

• Every person in Botswana having the opportunity to respond to the Good News, In partnership with the Africa Evangelical Church, SIM has engaged with the !Xoon growing in obedience to God, and becoming part of a local church fellowship.

San of the Kalahari for more than 30 years. For the first 16 years, the ministry was

• A renewed and strong partnership with the African Evangelical Church (AEC) and carried out by full-time mission workers living in the desert. These mission workers other denominations, as SIM Botswana walks alongside them to fulfil the retired in 2018, leaving a translation of the gospel of Luke, around 90 recorded Bible Great Commission.

stories, Sunday school material, and a worship CD as their legacy — as well as local translators who now carry on this work.

Ministry

• Children and youth ministry.

• Disciple-making.

Pray for

• God to reveal his vision for SIM Botswana

• Botswana SIM appointees who are developing prayer partners and raising support, that the Lord would lead them to the place He has prepared for them

• more believers to hear the Lord’s calling into ministry

• local translators amongst the remote desert dwellers of the Kalahari, that they would persevere in their ministry without the support of expatriate mission workers Prayer Notes

• the Africa Evangelical Church to catch the vision for reaching out to and discipling the remote desert dwellers of the Kalahari

• children and young people to grow in their faith and apply biblical truths in their daily lives

• people bound by animistic traditions to be set free 22

23

Burkina Faso

Day 4

Communities where Christ is least known Internally displaced people

4

While Burkina Faso had previously been

4

known for its stability, recent terrorist activity OUAGADOUGOU

The light shines in the

has led to an epidemic of internally displaced darkness, and the darkness

has not overcome it.

people. Since 2019, an estimated 600,000

people have been displaced from their homes John 1:5

by violence.

Many of these people are living in makeshift refugee camps, where water and food

supplies can be scarce. Several camps have

become targets of violence, causing a second displacement for those who have taken refuge.

Vision

Other displaced people are seeking shelter

We strive to glorify God by making disciples of the people in Burkina Faso, by with extended family, which can put already proclaiming Jesus Christ as we minister to human needs and teach sound doctrine, fragile financial situations under extreme

in order to equip the local church in its growth and partner with the church as it stress. Almost 90 per cent of displaced people ministers to those unreached by the good news of Jesus.

cannot afford food, according to an analysis done in December 2019.

Ministry

Most people in Burkina Faso depend on their

• Scripture translation and audio production.

farms for their food and their livelihood. With

• English classes as a base for evangelism.

the current unrest, large portions of farming

• Evangelism and discipleship.

land are not accessible due to security risks and

• Medical centres.

fear, leading to a threat of artificial famine.

• Theological education.

As a result of the violence, schools,

• Ministry to at-risk young women.

churches, and village markets continue to

• Ministry among street boys.

close. By mid-March 2020, 2,500 schools had closed due to attacks or insecurity,

• Community development and well-drilling.

denying nearly 350,000 students access to education.

• Ministries to people with disabilities.

Pray for

Prayer Notes

• an end to violence. Praise God for the many people who have developed an openness to the gospel as a result of these challenging circumstances

• the church to reach out to non-Christian neighbours to show Christ’s love. Pray that they would stand firm and shine as a light in the darkness

• wisdom for our leaders, as they decide how SIM can safely and effectively respond to this humanitarian crisis with love and the good news

• the church of Burkina Faso to continue to grow in maturity and numbers.

• our many ministries to demonstrate and share God’s love in ways that transform lives for Christ during these difficult times.

24

25

Canada

Day 4

Communities where Christ is least known New Canadians

4

According to the 2016 census, 7.5 million

4

foreign-born people have come to Canada

To the weak I became weak,

through the immigration process. They make

to win the weak. I have

up one in five people in Canada. This is an Edmonton

become all things to all

opportunity for Canadians to share the gospel winnipeg

people so that by all possible

Montreal

means I might save some.

in communities where Christ is least known, Vancouver

OTTAWA

Halifax

1 CoRinthians 9:22

right in our own backyard. Immigrants in

Toronto

Canada list more than 200 places of birth

outside their adopted country.

Pray for our Canada field workers, who work in many of these communities. Pray they would Vision

have many opportunities to share the gospel and The vision of SIM Canada is to see a witness to Christ’s love where He is least known, make newcomers feel welcome in Canada.

disciples of Jesus expressing God’s love in their communities, and Christ-centred churches, especially among new Canadians and marginalised communities.

Pray for

Ministry

• mission workers serving in difficult contexts both in Canada and globally

• Urban least-reached communities.

• our largely secular society to hear and understand the good news.

• First Nations ministry.

• our Canada field workers serving in different communities across Canada.

• Serving marginalised communities (such as the deaf, sex workers, and the

• SIM to serve the local Canadian church well.

hip- hop community).

• wisdom for the SIM Canada national office staff to help facilitate and prepare

• Mobilising, training, and providing support services to mission workers.

people for overseas or local ministry.

• the mobilising and personnel teams as they work to mentor and process inquirers and increase the numbers who serve. SIM Canada receives an inquiry every day for but only 30 to 40 are processed for mission service each year.

Prayer Notes

26

27

Chile

Day 5

Communities where Christ is least known Helping empower the

SANTIAGO

Chilean church

Talagante

The Chilean evangelical church is part of

55

55

Temuco

a growing worldwide missions movement.

You then, my son, be strong in the

Our focus is to come alongside and

grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the

things you have heard me say in the

support the church in making disciples

presence of many witnesses entrust

of the Lord Jesus Christ in communities

to reliable people who will also be

where He is least known. In partnership

qualified to teach others.

with ProVisión, a Chilean sending agency,

2 timothy 2:1–2

we work to empower the Chilean church

to grow in its ability and commitment to

send workers to serve where Christ is least known. SIM Chile hopes to develop new Vision

partnerships and ministries to support church leaders and their efforts both to make Compelled by God’s great love, we want to see churches with trained leaders, engaged disciples in their congregations and to reach out to the communities of university in making disciples, and expressing the love and compassion of Christ in communities students and migrants who are living and dying without Christ.

where He is least known. Our motivation is to see the church in Chile increasingly sharing the good news, mobilising, and sending servants to those living and dying without Christ inside and outside Chile.

Pray for

• the development of new ministries focused on helping Chilean churches become Ministry

more intentional about making disciples

• Missions mobilisation.

• Chilean pastors and church leaders as they lead their congregations through times

• Partnership with ProVisión, a Chilean mission agency.

of social unrest and economic downturn

• Church leadership development.

• Chilean mission workers to flourish spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially

• Disciple-making.

• the Seminary by Extension to All Nations (SEAN) to extend its impact to the

• Seminary by Extension to All Nations (SEAN).

entire country

• Education and evangelism with at-risk kids.

• protection for at-risk children. Pray that their contact with Christians will be a

• Koyamentu Training and Retreat Centre.

testimony of Christ’s love

• Marriage and family ministries in church contexts.

• the Koyamentu Training and Retreat Centre to facilitate renewal, transformation, and training for Chilean churches and mission workers

• marriage courses and men’s and women’s groups to reach non-Christians with the Prayer Notes

hope found in Jesus

28

29

Côte d’Ivoire

Day 5

Communities where Christ is least known Odienné

Ferkessedougou

Korhogo

The Dioula (Jula) and Maninka (Malinké)

Three newly graduated national pastors were ichel M

trained for church planting last year among the rey

Bouaké

D

Man

A new command I give you: Love

Dioula! This was a pilot programme for a planned

: au

6

to

one another. As I have loved you, so

training school for national church planters.

ho

6

YAMOUSSOUKRO

. P

Abengourou

you must love one another. By this

Pray for development of this programme to be everyone will know that you are my

ving

effective for sustainable kingdom growth.

wea

disciples, if you love one another.

ABIDJAN

John 13:34-35

The Fulani

Dioula

San-Pedro

The lifestyle of the Fulani is changing rapidly.

ying

Change can bring conflict and difficulty, but also Praen

opportunities. Pray for an increasing openness to M

Vision

Jesus, particularly in the younger generations.

ulani F

SIM Côte d’Ivoire glorifies God by working in partnership with the Body of Christ to The Fulani language, Fulfulde, is very difficult M

usli

make disciples of all nations and equip them to transform society.

to learn. Pray for perseverance and progress for Mo

all foreigners learning Fulfulde in order to share tw

Ministry

Jesus with this people group where Jesus Christ

• Theological education.

is little known. May our team ministering to this

• Leadership development.

people group grow!

• Radio outreach.

• Church planting.

• Community development.

Pray for

• Disciple-making.

• more local church planters to be well trained for ministry in Dioula communities

• Street children ministry.

• increasing receptiveness of Fulani to the gospel

• Ministry to women.

• more long-term workers for the harvest field

• Arts in mission.

• discernment for, and strategic development of, the radio ministry

• increased collaboration between evangelical denominations

• growing cohesion, collaboration and prayerfulness in the SIM team

• existing ministries in Abidjan to be resourced and managed well Prayer Notes

30

31

East African Office

Day 6

Communities where Christ is least known Sudan

Eritrea

Fulani people groups

Djibouti

The Fulani population is made up of 40

Ethiopia

million people in 20 West African countries.

South

Sudan

The East African Office has already sent out Then I heard the voice of the

6

five mission families to serve among the

6

Somalia

Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?

Uganda

And who will go for us?” And I

Fulani.

Kenya

said, “Here am I. Send me!”

We thank God that the call to reach this

Rwanda

isaiah 6:8

people group is growing tremendously. As a

Burundi

result of continuous prayer, we have been able Tanzania

to send another five mission workers to the West Africa region, focusing on Fulani people groups. We thank God for the response of local churches in the East Africa region to the call to Vision

serve Fulani people groups.

By faith, we see mission-minded churches in East Africa fully engaged in global outreach, sending their mission workers to join communities around the world. Our purpose is to serve East African churches as they participate in global mission.

Pray for

• increased capacity for the East African Office to send and train mission workers Ministry

• protection and guidance for all who are involved in making decisions to place The East African Office helps churches mobilise, equip, train, and send East African mission workers in the global mission field, as we deal with the aftermath mission workers around the world to serve with SIM and its partner mission agencies of Covid-19

in gospel ministry. Our global workers serve in:

• God to call Christian professionals from East African countries to serve Him globally

• Evangelism and disciple-making.

• young men and women to take decisive action in response to God’s leading for

• Church planting.

them to serve in mission

• Radio ministry.

• Leadership training and theological education.

• Youth ministry.

• Culture and language learning.

Prayer Notes

32

33

East Asia

Day 6

Communities where Christ is least known

Indonesia’s majority peoples

With evangelical Christians making up only two per Japan

cent of the population, a large section of Indonesia’s North East India

229 million people of the majority religion do not have Hong Kong

much contact with witnesses to the saving power of India

Taiwan

‘Isa al Masih’ (Jesus the Messiah).

And because of my chains, most of

Some large communities without Christ exist the brothers and sisters have become

7

Philippines

throughout Indonesia’s more than 13,000 inhabited 7

confident in the Lord and dare all the

Malaysia

islands, with similar lifestyle characteristics and similar, more to proclaim the gospel without

Singapore

yet distinct, main languages. Large clusters like Aceh, fear.

Indonesia

Banjar, Barito, Betawi, Bugis, Deli, Jawa, Kaili, Lampung, Phil 1:14

Madura, Maluku, Melayu, Minangkabau, Pasemah, Sasak, Sunda, and Tukangbesi are comprised of smaller Vision:

language groups, almost 230 in all.

We envision churches in East Asia glorifying God by partnering with the global Though having distinct main languages, almost all church, SIM, and our supporting constituencies in sending mission workers to reach of these communities are conversant in the national those who are living and dying without hearing God’s good news, raising disciples of language, Bahasa Indonesia. While most communities the Lord Jesus Christ in communities where He is least known, working together to identify with the majority religion, almost all practice turn mission fields into mission forces, while also receiving mission workers in some some form of animism.

East Asian countries. We commit ourselves willingly and joyfully to further the Great Praise God that numerous mission agencies are networking and sharing data, Commission, through praying, giving, mobilising, sending, and receiving workers..

making it possible to find out more about these communities. Praise God that creative people are reaching out to some of these people through social media platforms. This Ministry:

gives a non-threatening way to spread the gospel where personal encounters might The staff of the East Asia Office coordinate and supervise the efforts of constituent initially be awkward or even dangerous. Yet, so much more could be done. More sending and receiving entities, and provide services in the areas of: people are needed, not only to live among some of these communities, but also to

• Promotion.

• Administration, supervision, and

encourage and train Indonesia’s evangelical church concerning cross-cultural missions

• Strengthening partnership with churches.

development of receiving contexts.

within their own country.

• Mobilisation of churches and individuals.

• Crisis management and contingency

• Involving constituent countries more

planning.

in candidate screening and selection.

• Care for children of cross-cultural

Pray for

• Mentoring and orientation.

workers.

• efforts to reach the least-reached communities in Indonesia, by motivating,

• Information coordination.

• Pastoral care and prayer.

equipping, and mobilising churches and theological institutions in Indonesia

• Church-mission partnerships.

• SIM East Asia’s strategies to equip and send members to focus on frontline evangelism, discipleship, producing missional churches and turning mission fields Prayer Notes

into mission forces

• attempts to send members to serve in Japan with OMF Japan and Asian Access

• God to supply the unds for SIM East Asia’s projected growth, operation, ministries, and projects

• wisdom and resources in developing the capacity in the region to receive workers

• cross department teams’ efforts focusing on succession plans for SIM East Asia staff, leaders, members of key committees and field members.

• formation of New Gen Mission Initiative Committee to draw young people to serve in mission.

34

35

Ecuador

Day 7

Communities where Christ is least known QUITO

Rural population of the southern province of Loja Facing traditionalism, other belief systems and persecution of those seeking truth from family and community, the All this is from God, who reconciled us to

few Christians in the southern rural province of Loja work Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry Guayaquil

alongside SIM. We use Bible storytelling to teach and of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the disciple believers in small home churches. We hope to train 7

El Cisne

world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s 7

a leader for every small town in the province, so the good Loja

sins against them. And He has committed to us news can be spread to even more remote areas.

Gonzanama

the message of reconciliation.

Suro (Yangana)

Cariamanga

Amaluza

2 CoRinthians 5:18–19

Youth

Ecuador’s mean age is 27, with 69 per cent of its people aged under 49. Many young people — disillusioned by their parents’ traditional, works-oriented religion — are desperate for the truth, but atheism and other religions are growing.

Vision

SIM reaches out with biblical truth to young people and As a team of Christ’s ambassadors, SIM Ecuador exists in love to proclaim and to live university students through social media, English ministries out Christ’s message of reconciliation. We do so in the power and for the glory of God.

and evangelical groups on campuses. We plan to expand In partnership with the church, we want to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in to more campuses this year and to begin a Sports Friends communities where He is least known.

ministry in the rural areas, but more workers are needed.

Economical y vulnerable

Ministry

The strict and lengthy quarantines during the pandemic caused great disruption to

• Waves of Hope radio station.

wage earners trying to provide for their families, especially those who had no savings

• Equipping church leaders (Equipping Servants International theological education and depended on daily income. SIM’s compassion ministry provides medical and programme, Growing Pastors bookshop, and training conferences).

counselling services, as well as teaching financial management and family gardens to

• Compassion ministries (medical aid, finance management, business as mission, help people make the most of their resources. Each lesson is combined with biblical family gardens, counselling, and trauma healing).

principles, in order to meet spiritual needs and share about Jesus.

• Planting and strengthening rural churches (evangelism, discipleship, and training).

• Youth ministry (sports, university outreach, Bible studies and discipleship).

• Mission mobilisation.

Pray for

• Missionary kids (academic and spiritual growth).

• Radio Hope in gratitude, as they finally received government approval for the

• Administration.

FM frequency

• Pray that gospel messages have an impact throughout the rural areas Prayer Notes

• open doors to new communities through tangible expressions of Christ’s love

• the equipping leadership ministries to develop stable, maturing leaders, especially in rural communities, through training programmes and ongoing discipleship

• creativity to use available resources to meet the needs of our missionary kids

• wise expansion of the ministry to youth in universities and in the rural areas

• wisdom for the administrative team in guiding each ministry and making decisions

• preparation and support for Ecuadorian missionaries serving in other countries

• workers to join the growing ministries, especially in the rural areas 36

37

Eritrea

Day 7

Communities where Christ is least known Tigre

Most of the Tigre, descendants of the ancient Keren

Egyptians, converted to Islam during the

I consider that our present

ASMARA

1800s. Although they profess to be Sunni

sufferings are not worth

Muslims, most practice Folk Islam, which is comparing with the glory that

a blend of Islam and animistic beliefs. For will be revealed in us.

example, they offer sacrifices of livestock or 8

Romans 8:18

8

corn when they think their sins are numerous, believing that the sacrifice becomes the

scapegoat for their sins. The Tigre also believe in Zar, an evil spirit that possesses people and causes illnesses and sometimes death. They

Vision

depend on shamans to communicate with

SIM first entered Eritrea in the early 1950s but was expelled in July 2004. All SIM

spirits, cure sickness and control events.

ministries have been closed, and evangelical Christians in Eritrea are undergoing The Tigre are traditionally nomadic

severe persecution.

shepherds, and although many are still

Today, SIM supports a radio ministry, broadcasting to Eritrea and diaspora Eritreans nomads, most are semi-nomadic. Others have

in the Tigrinya language. The vision of this ministry is to see the current generation become settled farmers. The Tigre in Eritrea of Tigrinya-speaking youth in Eritrea, Ethiopia and beyond reached through radio and have suffered from recent droughts, famine

other media. Our vision is to set them on a discipleship journey where they enjoy and civil war.

personal fellowship with God, express an increased commitment to Him and his church, actively participate in making disciples and become leaders with integrity.

Pray for

Ministry

• peace and stability in Eritrea

• Radio Outreach.

• more Tigrinya-speaking workers to help produce effective audio broadcasts to Eritrea and beyond

• the listeners of the broadcasts, especially the youth, to fully commit to life in Christ and journey with Him faithfully

• believers, especially church leaders, who are imprisoned for their faith

• God’s provision for the families of those imprisoned, and that they will continue to Prayer Notes

see God as almighty and loving

• the few known Tigre Christians in Eritrea, that God would strengthen, encourage and protect them, and that they would be bold to speak of their faith in Jesus to those who do not yet know Him

38

39

Ethiopia

Day 8

Communities where Christ is least known

Mekelle

Children and youth

Bahir Dar

Well over half of Ethiopia (approximately 102

million people) are under the age of 20. As a God our Saviour desires all

result of rapid population growth, migration to ADDIS ABABA

people to be saved and to

urban areas and the availability of technology come to a knowledge of

Jimma

and the internet, most of these young people SOMALI

the truth.

have limited opportunities to come to know

8

REGION

1 timothy 2:4

8

Christ and become his followers.

Vulnerable

The urban population has increased to around 20 per cent in this primarily rural country and Vision

the rate of change is increasing. Poverty and Compelled by God’s love and by the reality that millions of people live and die without abuse remain major issues, especially among knowing Christ, we strive to expand the church’s capacity to make disciples and newcomers to urban areas. Girls and homeless multiply churches in communities where Christ is least known, so that the triune God street boys are at risk of being trafficked.

alone may be genuinely worshipped by every person.

Ministry

We strive to expand the church’s capacity in: Pray for

• Reaching children and youth.

• Outreach to Muslims.

• business leaders, community leaders and church leaders who have significant roles in

• Caring for the vulnerable.

• Medical ministry.

their contexts and are strategically placed to have an impact where Christ is least known

• Engaging with community influencers.

• Discipling and equipping church

• children and youth ministries in Ethiopian churches, communities and projects,

• Mentoring and training in Orthodox

leaders.

that they will have sufficient people and resources to serve families needing communities.

biblical discipleship

We strive to resource ministry efforts through:

• recruitment of excellent teachers who can serve at Bingham Academy with a

• Effectively communicating SIM’s vision and mandate to provide a clear, shared passion for making disciples among students and advancing mission outreach focus for all who are part of SIM Ethiopia.

• greater inter-dependent teamwork and healthy ministry relationships

• Missionary kid education.

• churches and their leaders to become more willing to care about and show Christ’s

• Print and radio media.

love to neighbours in their communities

• teaching, disciple-making and mentoring initiatives in Orthodox communities Prayer Notes

• healthier church partnerships and ongoing effective disciple-making initiatives

• churches empowered for missional outreach 40

41

France

Day 8

Communities where Christ is least known PARISStrasbourg

Foreign students

There are about 358,000 foreign students in Montbeliard

Nantes

Tours

France. Moroccan students have become the

It has always been my ambition

largest group (more than 42,000), but there to preach the gospel where

La Rochelle

are also many Algerians (31,000) and Tunisians Christ was not known, so that

I would not be building on

(13,000). Almost 51 per cent of France’s foreign Bergerac

someone else’s foundation.

students come from Africa, including the

Caderousse

Romans 15.20

Maghreb region.

9

Foreign students are often open to the

9

gospel, but more workers are needed.

Currently, only one SIM worker ministers

among them.

Vision

Muslim community

By faith, we see God mobilising his children to share the good news of salvation with The Muslim community in France is

those whose hearts have been prepared by the Holy Spirit.

approximately nine per cent of the total

SIM France is called by God to mobilise Christians and inform the church of population. This figure includes all the immigrants coming from predominantly Muslim opportunities in mission, train those called to serve, facilitate their tasks, and support countries. Studies give an estimate of 70,000 to 110,000 Christians among this group.

them through prayer and care.

A large part of the community is second, third, or even fourth generation immigrants.

We rejoice in the Lord each time He entrusts someone to us. We desire to be The 2016 influx of refugees is challenging European Christians to find ways of facilitators and encourage men and women to serve Christ when He calls them.

showing Christ’s love. Following terrorist violence in 2016, the Muslim community has begun to question Islam. Muslim background believers are often persecuted by their Ministry

families and relatives, but the terrorist incidents have led to more opportunities to

• Mobilising for God’s service.

discuss our Christian beliefs with Muslims.

• Equipping for ongoing ministry.

• Sending mission workers to communities living and dying without Christ .

• Maintaining contact with mission workers in all corners of the globe.

Pray for

• Planting churches.

• revival of missional vision in French churches

• Ministering to international students.

• partnerships with church denominations, Bible institutes and other mission organisations

Prayer Notes

• sincere and ongoing commitment to mission among French Christians

• the development and autonomy of SIM Belgium ministries, which SIM France supports

• an effective training programme for spiritual growth

• strength in prayer, good relationships with churches and potential missionaries and fruitful ministry for those whom God sends

42

43

Germany

Day 9

Ribnitz-Damgarten

Communities where Christ is least known Hamburg

Diaspora

Berlin

The predominant people groups

Muelheim-Ruher

coming to or settled in Germany

Be joyful in hope, patient in

Leipzig

include Syrians, Iraqis, Afghanis,

affliction, faithful in prayer.

Pakistanis, Somalis, Eritreans,

Romans 12:12

Kurds, Turks, and English- and

French-speaking West Africans.

9

Sinsheim

The Ruhr region

9

The Ruhr region, in Northrhine-

Westfalia, is the largest

metropolitan area in Germany, with a population of 5.1 million and annual growth of Vision “So people meet God!”

43,000 people, spread over 53 cities. This region has the highest migration density in DMG Germany is a sending mission organisation, honouring God and telling the Germany, from every nation (e.g. 26 per cent Turkish and 18 per cent Polish). It also whole world how great He is. Jesus asks us to humbly live out every aspect of his love has the highest number of students and foreign students in Germany.

in word and deed, and to boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a hurting world. By inviting people to be reconciled with the living God, we see them experience International (multicultural) community and students a personal and life-transforming encounter with Jesus Christ. DMG prepares Christian Our organisation is reaching out to the multi-cultural community in cities. Presently, workers for cross-cultural ministry, and then sends and cares for them, in partnership there are 395,000 overseas students studying at universities in Germany. The largest with like-minded organisations and churches.

group is from Asia, with significant groups from India (20,800), Syria (13,600), Iran Ministry

(9,500), and Vietnam (3,200).

• Praying and fellowshipping in community.

• Mobilising the church for mission.

Secular Germans

• Mobilising missionaries in German-speaking Europe.

Germany is rapidly becoming a secularised community. Regions in eastern and

• Running a short-term volunteer programme.

northern Germany have little or no local/personal Christian witness. Opportunities

• Providing member care and lifelong learning for all staff.

exist for workers from all over the world.

• Supporting international workers serving in Germany.

• Promoting partnerships between ourselves and like-minded organisation for the cause of world mission.

Pray for

• the growing team of international workers as they adapt to, and integrate into, a Prayer Notes

very different life in Germany

• the recruitment of a team leader and new workers for the many ministry opportunities in the Ruhr region

• the discipling of new believers among the migrants and international students, and their integration into a fellowship

44

45

Ghana

Day 9

Tumu

Sandema

Communities where Christ is least known

Gushegu

Tamale

Muslim peoples of northern Ghana

The Dagomba and Sisaala people of

northern Ghana are predominantly Muslim.

SIM Ghana partners with churches as they

Declare his glory among the

nurture sharing and discipling relationships nations, his marvellous deeds

among all peoples.

among these people in order that many

Psalm 96:3

might hear the gospel and grow in their

understanding of God’s word. Resources are

9

being developed to enable churches to use

9

ACCRA

the The Way of Righteousness broadcasts

and material as a discipleship tool.

The training and development of children and youth ministry leaders means that many more will hear the gospel from an early age.

Vision

The vision of SIM Ghana is to see a witness to Christ’s love where He is least known The Fulani

in Ghana, disciples of Jesus expressing God’s love in their communities and Christ-The Fulani people in Ghana are another predominantly Muslim group. They live centred churches spreading the gospel in Ghana and beyond.

in scattered settlements on the outskirts of villages. The team serving among the Fulani continues to grow. Through language and culture learning, they are building Ministry

relationships of trust and friendship. This last year, several Fulani have come to know

• Outreach ministries – working in partnership with churches and organisations to and follow Jesus.

witness to Christ’s love amongst the Sisaala, Dagomba, and Fulani communities.

• Serving and equipping the church for mission – Sports Friends, discipleship and leadership training, and discipling marketplace leaders.

Pray for

• Mobilisation for mission and collaboration in mobilisation with like-minded

• our workers among the Fulani, that as they continue to learn the language and organisations.

culture, relationships will grow and lead to good conversations and opportunities to

• Leadership and services – serving and equipping the SIM Ghana team through the share God’s good news

provision of efficient services and courageous leadership.

• the training of youth and children’s workers among the Sisaala and Dagomba

• our partnership with Good News Bible Church, Challenge Enterprises Ghana, and local churches, as we seek to reach communities where Christ is least known in Ghana

• our Sports Friends ministry team, as they train and disciple coaches to reach Prayer Notes

children and young people through sport

• Christian business people to understand the truth that they can worship God in and through their businesses

• extra workers to join SIM Ghana’s Leadership and Services team 46

47

Guinea

Day 10

Communities where Christ is least known Maninka

The Maninka are 99 per cent Muslim. Upper Guinea Kankan

is their traditional homeland. In 2022, by God’s grace, a revised Maninka New Testament will be printed and CONAKRY

With joy you will draw water

recorded. These scripture recordings will make God’s from the wells of salvation.

Word widely available to the four million Maninka, the isaiah 12:3

vast majority of whom are oral learners. Praise God for our partners working in translation and recording. Pray for the use of these scriptures among the small number 10

of Maninka speaking Christians and beyond.

10

Gold miners

Vision

Artisanal gold mining is a significant part of the By faith, we see:

economy in Upper Guinea. Workers come from all parts

• Every man, woman and child of Upper Guinea having the opportunity to hear and of Guinea and neighbouring countries to find their understand the good news of Jesus.

fortunes. The transient nature of the work brings with

• A vibrant church working in harmony, bringing Jesus’ transformation to Upper it disease, drug addiction, etc. It is dangerous work and Guinea and beyond.

landslides cause many deaths. Mining

• A flourishing, Spirit-led SIM team, equipped to serve their communities with love rights were disputed in two areas during 2021, leading and discernment.

to violent clashes. Pray for Christians working in these areas.

Ministry

• Evangelism and discipleship.

• Children and families.

Pray for

• Youth.

• the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts among the Maninka and Fulani peoples for the

• Leadership and Services.

gospel

• Audio media production and distribution.

• the Maninka New Testament and its printing and recording process in 2022

• mission workers in Guinea, and their continual abiding in Christ, protection from accident and disease, growth in language ability, and wisdom and courage in the face of political unrest

Prayer Notes

• our growing children’s ministry, which now has after-school programmes three days each week. Pray that through Old Testament stories children will be prepared to know Jesus as their saviour

• local church leaders leading in multi-cultural churches. Pray for God’s unity to override divisions in the churches. Praise God for training programmes that help believers reach their Muslim neighbours

• Christians working in mining villages to be an attractive witness to Christ

• the continued positive impact of Christian schools 48

49

India

Day 10

Communities where Christ is least known Business for transformation

NEW DELHI

Among the people groups in the

land of Kings, one group has been

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise

known for centuries for their

and exalt and glorify the King of

success in business. More than 99

heaven, because everything He

per cent of this people group are

does is right, and all His ways

are just. And those who walk in

Hindu, with no known believers,

pride, He is able to humble.

and only portions of scripture

Daniel 4:37

translated in their language. As the

10

country recovers from the economic

10

struggle in the wake of the

Vision

pandemic, kingdom business and

We see the kingdom of God extending beyond all barriers, as we partner with Indian community outreach will continue to

ministries to fulfil our global mandate.

be essential means of transformation. Pray this people group would be transformed by We focus on loving our friends from other faiths as they come into the kingdom the good news, that the transformation would spread through their strong networks and on engaging with specific populations (children, youth, leaders, the marginalised) and relationships, and be a blessing to the whole country.

as they are discipled into kingdom lifestyle, community, and service.

Ministry

• Learning Indian languages and culture

transform people and society

Pray for

• Discipling Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist • Training local church leaders

• fresh vision for members and council leaders – and grace for all personnel – during friends as they follow Jesus within

• Mobilising North Indian churches to

the leadership transition as a new country director begins a new term in 2021

their communities

send workers globally

• favour with government authorities for members in obtaining and renewing visas

• Helping transgendered people and

• Supporting village health and

and residential permits

trafficking survivors

education

• wisdom, protection, and boldness for Christian leaders as they face increasing

• Loving people affected by HIV

• Increasing access to trauma

scrutiny and hostility

• Discipling university students

counselling

•

•

and teachers

Developing income generation

local churches and believers to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25) in a time of

• Developing young leaders for

initiatives

economic desperation, health and environmental concerns, identity politics, and India’s future

• Working with special needs learners

border tensions

• Shaping businesses which can

and their families

• changes in mindsets toward women and children in light of reports of increase in domestic violence and pornography consumption Prayer Notes

• progress in mobilising a new committee/structure that can facilitate local churches sending Indians cross-culturally and overseas

• development of teams working with least reached people groups 50

51

Indonesia

Day 11

Communities where Christ is least known: The Lampung of Sumatra

On the southern tip of the island of Sumatra, the Lampung cluster of communities without

Christ is comprised of nine different language groups. Only 0.1 per cent of the 1.7 million JAKARTA

people are Christ-followers. The province of Lampung grew in population from 2.5 million to more than six million between 1970 and 1990, Declare His glory among the nations, His

due to transmigration from overpopulated Java.

marvellous works among all the peoples!

Though towns and villages are now

Psalm 96:2

somewhat multi-cultural, the Lampung people cling to traditional ways of dealing with

11

community life.

11

Some Lampung people fish, others grow

Vision

rice, pepper, cocoa, cut rubber or work on

We envision Indonesian Christ-followers reaching out with the gospel in word and palm oil plantations.

lifestyle to communities where Christ is not known, presenting opportunities to follow Though 99.9 per cent Muslim, the

Jesus, and discipling new Christ-followers to share the gospel with others.

Lampung people rely on shamans for healing

from disease. They strongly believe in the

Ministry

power of symbols, with some even believing that a cross painted on their house will

• Encouraging church members and seminary students to have a passion for those bring good luck.

Education, healthcare and agriculture are three main areas of need among the without Christ.

Lampung people in which cross-cultural workers could build relationships and provide

• Equipping pastors and church members for cross-cultural ministry.

openings for sharing the gospel. But more workers are needed.

• Outreach ministry to children, youth, and young adults.

• Church planting in partnership with local churches.

• Community development in partnership with local organisations.

Pray for

• TESL*.

• a Christian witness amongst the Lampung and more than 200 other people groups

• Missional business and tentmaking*.

who are without knowledge of Christ

• God’s Spirit to open hearts and homes to Christ-followers

*(envisioned – seeking effective avenues and manpower to get these started)

• God’s love in the lives of believers to be evident to their neighbours

• supernatural revelations of Jesus Christ in dreams, healings and visions

• Indonesian Christians to recognise God’s desire for the gospel to be brought to Prayer Notes

Indonesia’s 230 million who are living and dying without Christ

• encouragement for SIM’s small band of workers who are situated on several islands far apart from each other

• wisdom for SIM workers to know how to encourage a cross-cultural mindset among Indonesia’s churches

• SIM Indonesia to find like-minded churches and agencies to work with

• financial resources to develop our team of SIM workers 52

53

Japan

Day 11

Communities where Christ is least known Rural or non-urban Japan (“inaka”)

Sendai

Fukushima

More than 30 million people live in rural Japan Karuizawa

TOKYO

(ie municipalities under 50,000 people).

Let us not become weary in doing

The Christian population of these areas is

good, for at the proper time we will

estimated to be 0.1 per cent, and roughly two-Kumamoto

reap a harvest if we do not give up.

thirds of these towns do not have a church.

Galatians 6:9 (niv)

Following earthquakes in Tohoku (2011)

and Kumamoto (2016), there has been reason

for optimism. Churches have been started, and people who have been historically resistant to Christianity, such as farmers and fishers, have 11

become Christ-followers.

Vision

11

Fukushima

Our vision is to see a vibrant community of servant leaders with vision, character Fukushima is a prefecture located north of

and competence leading the church in Japan. We aim to identify, develop and Tokyo that was impacted by the 2011 Tohoku

release emerging kingdom leaders who will unite the church, multiply leaders and earthquake. In addition to the damage from

congregations, and extend the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. SIM

the earthquake and the tsunami that followed, mission workers are pursuing these goals in partnership with local churches and Asian there is still concern about the effects of Access Japan (A2J).

radiation from the nuclear accident.

Local pastors simultaneously desire help

Ministry

and are reluctant to ask people to risk their long-term health by working in the area.

• We partner with A2J, a Japanese-led movement of churches working throughout There is conflicting information about the safety of living in Fukushima. As a result, stigmas remain against the people and the manufactured products of the prefecture.

most regions and denominations within Japan. A2J is focused on training pastors, The church and the mission community in Japan desire to help, but they need wisdom encouraging young leaders, supporting regional church multiplication, and uniting in determining how to do so.

the church in Japan to pursue reaching two per cent of the population with the gospel.

• We partner with local churches and networks to multiply disciples and churches in Pray for

Tohoku, Kanto, and Kyushu.

• the church in Japan to effectively reach the more than 99 per cent of Japanese

• We encourage our mission workers to use their gifting and talents to promote people who do not know God

church multiplication on a regional and national level.

• unity within the church in Japan

• mission workers to partner effectively with what God is already doing Japan Prayer Notes

• the development of young leaders within the rapidly aging Japanese church

• the acceleration of church multiplication movements – independent of natural disaster

– throughout Japan

• disciples and churches to multiply in rural Japan and Fukushima

• insight into how to apply lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic to future ministry

• wisdom to identify new regional networks, leaders, and churches with which to partner

• many new workers from around the world to partner with what God is doing in Japan 54

55

Kenya

Day 11

Communities where Christ is least known Coastal Swahili in Kenya

Marsabit

The name Swahili literally means “coast.” It is given to people groups who share a common

culture (Uswahili), language (Kiswahili), and Marigat Isiolo

religion (Islam), numbering approximately

“How beautiful are the feet of

48,000.

Kijabe Garissa

those who bring good news”

NAIROBI

For about 2,000 years, the backbone of the

Romans 10:15

Swahili economy has been commerce. They

Namanga

Malindi

worked as cross-national merchants, trading Mombasa

spices, slaves, ivory, gold, and grain. Many of the upper-class Swahili now manage small

11

11

businesses, do clerical work, and teach. Those Vision

living in cities sometimes own plantations.

Our Purpose: We are convinced that no one should live and die without hearing Most lower-class Swahili are farmers. Dietary God’s good news.

laws, rules of dress, social etiquette, marriage Our Vision: We see communities where Christ is least known being transformed by ceremonies, laws concerning divorce, and

the gospel.

rituals at birth and death are governed by

Our Mission: SIM Kenya exists to serve Christ through proclaiming the gospel, Islamic tradition.

making disciples, equipping the church and responding to human need.

Most believe in the supernatural power of witches and sorcerers and that spirits –

both good and evil – exist.

Ministry

There are often folk explanations for natural occurrences (eg, thunder is the sound

• Discipleship of believers of all ages.

of God speaking with the angels and lightning occurs when God is pleased and will

• Theological training for the next generation of Christian leaders.

send plentiful rain).

• Medical and psychosocial outreach.

Source: Partly “The Joshua Project”.

• Missionary kid education and services.

Pray for

• many kingdom workers to invest in the health of families and seek ways to share the gospel within families

Prayer Notes

• wisdom and creative ways of ministering to young married couples and established families. Pray for exemplary marriages to be evident in the Christians living in the community

• women to discover their true, God-given value as they are exposed to the scriptures. Pray for kingdom labourers to pour into the lives of these women as they introduce them to the love of Christ

56

57

Korea

Day 12

SEOUL

Incheon

Communities where Christ is least known-

Migrants and international students

There are more than three million immigrants living in Korea, and 60,000 international

Daegu

students study here each year. Many of the

Ulsan

And you say, “Let the holy God

students are from communities where the

of Israel hurry up and do what

Gwangju

Busan

gospel is least known. When we reach out

he has promised, so we can see

with God’s love and compassion to those

it for ourselves.”

we’re helping with culture shock and language isaiah 5:19

difficulties, many of them open their hearts and accept the gospel. Students studying in Korea become a valuable resource for their

Vision

country. If they become disciples of Christ 12

By faith, we see:

and return to their homelands with a calling, 12

• Missional life renewed and refreshed so that the Korean church can share the churches may be established in communities

gospel globally and more creatively among those living and dying without hearing where Christ is least known and bring

God’s good news.

transformation there.

• Doors open for more SIM Korea workers to go out to difficult places with the gospel, even in this time of global pandemic.

KN

• Migrants, including international students, to be discipled so they return to their The state of KN remains one of the least evangelised and most persecuted. Few home country with the gospel and transform that country with the good news.

ministries can be done. For now, our priority is to pray with God’s zeal for KN. The love

• Churches, individuals, home staff and board members engaged in supporting and and compassion of Christ shall be shown to the people of KN, and in cooperation with helping SIM Korea workers flourish.

other organisations, we ask God to prepare ministries in this state. We remember the saints suffering due to the gospel and pray together for their patience and victory.

Ministry

• Developing new ministry opportunities and equipping workers to serve strategically.

• Evangelising and offering training to migrants and international students.

Pray for

• Training candidates through programmes based at home and abroad.

• Those migrants who come to get a job in Korea, and the international students, that

• Providing creative member care and administrative services for flourishing.

they would hear the gospel, become disciples of Jesus and commit their lives to sharing the gospel with their neighbours even when they return to their homeland

• God to bring up more workers and anoint them with the power and wisdom of the Prayer Notes

Holy Spirit to go out to the communities where His gospel is least heard

• God to raise up workers for KN from various places and people groups and to enable them to develop and lead healthy fruitful collaborations

• God to send more Korean young people to take part in the God’s harvest 58

59

Latin America

Day 12

Communities where Christ is least known As a continent, Latin America has been more accustomed to receiving mission workers than to sending them, but this is changing. In the last three years, we have received more than 800 enquiries, as Latinos explore their call to serve in mission. Most of our Latino candidates Therefore go and make

have a passion to go to places where Christ is disciples of all nations.

least known, because their countries were once matthew 28:19

considered least-reached.

SIM Latinoamérica is proud to support Latin Americans who serve in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kenya, Niger, Thailand, South Africa, the Middle East, Mozambique, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa

12

Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and 12

Vision

Uruguay. We are also working with people in By faith, we see:

the countries of Central America, the Caribbean,

• Fully trained and supported mission workers from Latin America serving in various Mexico and South America who are exploring

countries throughout the world.

their call to mission.

• Latin American churches prayerfully and financially supporting those they send.

• The Latin American Church and its mission workers fulfilling their role in the Great Commission.

Pray for

Ministry

• the 100 Latin Americans, including children, who currently serve the Lord with SIM.

• Mobilisation: In order to serve such a large continent effectively, SIM Latinoamérica

• the Latin American church, as it comes to understand the vital role it has in sending needs to discover and train mobilisers in each country.

• trust-filled partnerships between SIM, churches, and mission workers, including

• Partnerships: SIM Latinoamérica desires to build strong partnerships with local new relationships with non-SIM sending agencies across the region sending entities and churches to facilitate the sending of Latin Americans to the

• prayer and financial support for Latino mission workers. Financial difficulties, mission field.

combined with the ongoing impact of Covid-19, have caused many churches and individuals to reassess their ability to give

• SIM Latinoamérica team’s creativity in sharing God’s call to mission among young people and professionals

Prayer Notes

• collaboration as SIM teams around the world work to receive Latin Americans

• an increase in the number of people hearing God calling them into missions

• Vamos (Let’s Go) and Movilicemos (Let’s Mobilise His Church), which are key programmes and resources that aim to challenge and support the Latin American church in mission

• the development of more mobilisers in Latin American countries where we are not an entity in order to reach people groups and see revival in the next five years

• different denominations working together in sending mission teams and thus being able to serve least-reached groups together more quickly.

60

61

Liberia

Day 13

Voinjama

Communities where Christ is least known

Remote rural peoples of Liberia

Among the many ethnic groups in Liberia,

there are people who live in remote areas of MONROVIA

the deep forest or coastal swamp and have

So, we have not stopped praying for you

Paynesville

never had someone tell them about Jesus

since we first heard about you. We ask

Christ. Some primarily speak a dialect of a God to give you complete knowledge of

language that is not spoken outside their

His will and to give you spiritual wisdom

region. They maintain their own forms of

and understanding. Then the way you live

spirit and ancestor worship, and they educate will always honour and please the Lord,

their children in traditional ways.

and your lives will produce every kind of

good fruit. All the while, you will grow as Liberia’s road system is poor and skeletal, you learn to know God better and better.

so remote rural people never travel beyond

Colossians 1:9-10

the closest market town. Some places have

13

never had a visitor to their home village.

13

The Evangelical Church of Liberia (ECOL)

Vision

carried out a medical outreach in one such

Convinced that no one should live and die without hearing God’s good news, we village. The team and supplies had to be

believe He has called us to make disciples of the Lord Jesus in communities where He flown in by a helicopter because the area is is least known.

surrounded by rivers with no bridges. Some

walked for hours to reach the clinic, and local people heard that these people came in Ministry

the name of Jesus. Elders from one town asked ECOL to please send mission workers

• Equipping and training leaders in SIM partner churches.

to tell them more.

• Pastoral and theological education.

• Manya language Bible translation and outreach.

• Trauma healing training.

Pray for

• ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) Radio.

• God to call Liberians as mission workers to people in remote areas, sent out by

• ELWA Hospital.

Liberian churches who feel burdened for their neighbours’ salvation

• Trinity Dental Clinic.

• Liberian church leaders to be equipped to discern and dispute false teachings

• ELWA Academy (850 Liberian students from pre-school through grade 12).

• For the Evangelical Seminary of West Africa (ESWA), the first graduate level theological school in Liberia

Prayer Notes

• renewed vision and energy in the ELWA ministries, that they may continue to represent Jesus in the community through doing good works and faithfully teaching the word and ways of God

• the success of a partnership with Dakar Academy to provide elementary school education for missionary children, which has not been available for two decades

• peace, prosperity, and stability in Liberia, one of the poorest nations in the world 62

63

Madagascar

Day 13

Communities where Christ is least known

Comoros

Mandritsara

The Comorians live on a chain of islands in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique. Each of the Comorian groups takes its name from the particular island ANTANANARIVO

on which the people live, but the official name of the islands is the Federal and Islamic Antsirabi

Republic of the Comoros.

And the God of all grace, who called

Mahatsara

Major challenges on the Comoros Islands include poverty, disease, and hunger.

you to his eternal glory in Christ,

Educational levels are low and less than half the population is literate. Although French after you have suffered a little while,

will Himself restore you and make

and Arabic are the official languages, the Comorians speak a Swahili dialect. Children you strong, firm and steadfast.

are expected to help with the farming, fishing, and animal care.

1 PeteR 5:10

Polygamy is practised among the Comorians.

The Comorians are Muslim, but occultism and spirit possession are mixed with their Islamic practices. Traditionally, they have been resistant to any kind of religious change; however, they are gradually becoming more receptive to other ideas. Christian 13

Vision

resources are limited and, as a result, the number of Comorian believers is very small.

13

By faith, we see:

• SIM mission workers thriving in their ministries, as they grow in their walk with God and cross barriers to proclaim the crucified and risen Christ.

• Equipped church leaders serving their congregations and making disciples.

Pray for

• United churches fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission, as they reach out to those

• unity and reconciled relationships between the evangelical denominations, that they who live and die without hearing God’s good news in Madagascar and beyond.

would work together to reach those living and dying without Christ in Madagascar and beyond

Ministry

• more missional doctors for the Good News Hospital

• Medical ministry.

• the Lord to call mission workers who can establish a local SIM administration to serve

• Community development .

our mission team with financial, administrative, and personnel services and leadership.

• Theological training.

• local co-workers at the Timothy Centre to continue the activities (theological

• Supportive ministries, including administration and teaching missionary kids.

education, community development, outreach, and discipleship) after the departure of

• Outreach and church planting.

the current leader

• a clear and courageous vision for SIM Madagascar as mission strategies are developed Prayer Notes

64

65

Malawi

Day 14

Communities where Christ is least known

Mzuzu

Vulnerable women, youth and children

All too often, women, young people and

children in Malawi are vulnerable, as they are Nkhotakota

denied dignity and value in their communities.

Salima

He has shown you, O man, what is good.

LILONGWE

SIM is working with these groups.

And what does the Lord require of you?

Mangochi

Young people and children make up 70 per

To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk

humbly with your God.

cent of Malawian society, so we invest in them Blantyre

miCah 6:8

for the future of Malawi, particularly so that young women and men will be discipled in their faith and mentored into leadership.

Nsanje

Hope for Life has been implementing a

children’s life skills and discipleship ministry in the context of HIV and AIDS. Many schools use Vision and Ministry

the “Today for Tomorrow” material developed 14

By faith, we see:

by SIM Zimbabwe to teach biblical values to 14

• The unreached of Malawi authentically responding to the gospel and established primary school-aged children.

into vibrant, God-fearing, biblically-based churches.

The Tiyamike women’s empowerment ministry gives dignity and value to vulnerable

• A mature, dynamic, relevant church focused outside, dependent on God, and widows, single mothers and other women, by giving them skill and livelihood through intentionally reaching others with the gospel even to the ends of the earth.

training in sewing and other handicrafts.

• Children and youth receiving Christ’s forgiveness on the cross, growing in their Mtengo Youth is helping the unemployed.

faith, reflecting Jesus’ character, and becoming committed disciples of Christ who Our partner, KINDLE Orphan Outreach, has a wide-ranging development are active in the church and society.

programme in a lakeshore community, helping to lift families out of poverty and

• People living with HIV and AIDS understanding the love of Christ as they receive spiritual darkness.

holistic care and are given hope.

Our Sports Friends ministry includes football and netball along with coaching and

• Lower HIV and AIDS infection rates, as Malawians practise, preach, and teach discipleship for teenage girls, many of whom are at a vulnerable stage in life in the purity and faithfulness in marriage.

context of poverty and HIV and AIDS.

• The mission of God advanced through a team of Spirit-led, fruitful mission workers, In all these programmes, disciple-making is a key element, leading to strengthened, united in purpose, and, through the church in Malawi, actively involved in the renewed, or even first-time faith in the participants.

Great Commission

Prayer Notes

Pray for

• women, youth, and children to know that their identity and value comes through Christ

• vulnerable women to be able to provide for their families through new skills, and to nurture their families in the Christian faith

• salvation to come to whole families through these various ministries

• new leaders to be raised up for the church

• young men, women and children to choose to live godly lives and turn away from immorality, alcohol, and drug abuse

66

67

Mali

Day 14

Communities where Christ is least known

The deaf community

In 1956, Andrew Foster founded the

Christian Mission for the Deaf. His goal

was to break the many barriers deaf people

And everyone who calls on the

face in accessing the word of God, including name of the Lord will be saved; for

illiteracy, isolation, stigma, stereotypes, on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem

Timbuktu

there will be deliverance, as the Lord

communication barriers, and people who

has said, even among the survivors

are cruel and mean. In Mali, deafness is

whom the Lord calls.

considered a divine curse. All these factors Koulikoro

Romans 13:11

hinder the integration of deaf people into

BAMAKO

communities. Foster knew education could help him achieve his vision, so he introduced American Sign Language and established deaf schools across Africa. He understood that this would open up access to the gospel for deaf people in Mali.

However, government authorities wanted Foster’s vision reduced to a simple association for the deaf called AMASOURD. In order to fulfil his dream, Foster looked Vision

at other countries of the sub-region, including Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria.

14

We desire to see relational transformation of our community by increasing the number Unfortunately, Foster died in a plane crash in 1986. Today, AMASOURD exists in Mali, 14

of growing, reproducible Christ followers.

but it is not associated with Christ’s redemption story.

The deaf population in Mali is not well known at the national level, despite the Ministry

presence of AMASOURD. Sources estimate the population at 40,000 to 70,000.

• Evangelism and disciple-making.

Among them, the percentage of Christians is minimal. No church denomination in Mali has a sign language translator who can share the elements of the message, worship or

• Church planting.

any other activity, with the deaf. Also, no known mission agency is prioritising the deaf

• Bible and literature distribution.

in Mali.

• French and culture learning.

SIM has been raising awareness within the body of Christ about the need for a

• Leadership development.

ministry among this least-reached group. The first workshop on bringing the gospel

• Trauma healing.

of Christ to the deaf took place in August 2015 in Bamako, and all the denominations

• Feeding street boys, other children, and the homeless in both urban and rural were invited. In December 2017, a team of six young people, under the direction of communities.

Moody Bible College, travelled from the United States to Mali for a one-week teaching programme at Jigiya Kalanso, a school for the deaf in Bamako.

Pray for

Prayer Notes

• pioneer workers in the city reaching the Muslim community

• workers among the deaf

• workers for a unique ministry among deaf students

• church denominations in Mali to see the need to reach the deaf community

• a manager and a team for the development of a combined café and student centre

• workers who engage students through sports ministries

• a coordinator-coach for our African French and culture learning programme in Bamako 68

69

Mascarene Islands

Day 15

Mauritius, Reunion, Rodriguez

Communities where Christ is least known

Port Mathurin

Hindus

RODRIGUEZ

TThe least-reached people

Port Louis

groups of Mauritius are Muslims

and Hindus. Hinduism in

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.

Saint-Denis

MAURITIUS

Mauritius originates from India.

I have become all things to all people so that Many hierarchical and economic

by all possible means I might save some.

1 CoRinthians 9:22

sub-groups exist, with the best

REUNION

known being the Brahmins, the

priestly community. The Brahmins

form the religious backbone of

Hinduism. The Bhojpuris are an ethnic sub-group and make up the majority of Indians Vision

in Mauritius. Hindus represent nearly half the population in Mauritius.

By faith, we see:

Some scholars say that the number of Hindu gods exceeds 35 million. Most of the

• Competent pastors and leaders rooted in the truth of the Bible, as they lead and deities are believed to be both good and evil in nature. Hindus believe in reincarnation.

teach their congregations.

Only the gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to break through the religious barriers

• Vibrant churches reaching out to those living and dying without Jesus in Mauritius that have kept the Hindus in Mauritius bound in both spiritual and physical poverty.

15

and beyond.

15

• Evangelical denominations united as they fulfil the great commission of Christ.

Pray for

Ministry

• unity among the various evangelical church denominations, and a common vision

• Discipleship and leadership training in churches.

for those still needing to hear and understand the good news

• Ministry to children and adolescent girls.

• the evangelical churches of Mauritius to rise to the challenge of supporting mission

• Outreach.

work and workers

• those attending discipleship and leadership training to grow in their knowledge of God and in their faith

• new mission workers to join the SIM team, entering the country as businesspeople and university lecturers

Prayer Notes

70

71

Middle East

Day 15

Communities where Christ is least known

Turkey

Majorities

Iraqi

Islam is the majority faith, and many Middle Syria

Kurdistan

Easterners only know caricatures of Christian Lebanon

Iraq

faith. Spiritual conversations come readily Israel Palestine

Jordan

Devote yourselves to prayer, being

for those with the time and the willingness Kuwait

watchful and thankful. And pray for

to invest in relationships. People are asking Bahrain

us, too, that God may open a door for

questions as never before, and they need to Egypt

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab

our message, so that we may proclaim

connect with scripture and with Christians

Emirates

the mystery of Christ, for which I am

who can explain it. Our teams serve in Arabic Oman

in chains.

and Kurdish-speaking contexts, serving with Colossians 4:2–3

local churches, and in education, compassion ministries, business, and other roles. As we Yemen

and our local partners invest in relationships, Vision

we pray that many from majority

To see the Middle East transformed, as lives are changed by the love of Christ through communities will understand the gospel

the message of the gospel.

through the witness of our lives, friendships, testimonies and gospel presentations.

Ministry

Obeying God’s call and trusting Him, we:

Marginalised people

15

• Encourage Middle Eastern Christians to minister to neighbours with the love and Regional conflicts and economic challenges

15

truth of Christ.

have prompted huge movements of refugees

• Support local church-planting and discipleship initiatives.

over recent years, compounding the plight of those already disadvantaged or

• Model vibrant Christian faith.

marginalised. The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified these challenges. Care for the

• Mobilise the worldwide church to pray for the region vulnerable is therefore a focus of many of the ministries we’re involved in. As churches Serving in various contexts, our multi-cultural teams: adjust programmes, train their people, and reach out with Christ’s compassion, we

• Invest in relationships, learn languages, and acquire cultural sensitivity.

rejoice that unprecedented numbers are finding hope, peace and life in Christ.

• Engage in church life, serving alongside local believers.

• Reach out with compassion to the marginalised, including refugees and the displaced.

• Provide education at all levels, including theological training.

Pray for

• Serve through healthcare.

• stamina and grace as our multicultural teams build language skills and cultural

• Operate businesses and serve in professional roles, as a means of Christian witness.

understanding

• Participate in Bible translation and distribution.

• wisdom, insight, and unity for local churches, agencies, and their leaders, as they

• Support initiatives to mobilise local believers for regional and international witness.

witness to Christ

• theological and practical training to equip leaders to build Christ’s church in Prayer Notes

unsettled and sometimes volatile circumstances

• compassionate ministries to commend Christ through commitment to love, integrity, justice, and truth

• Our Faithful Witness team, preparing to enter a new area to bring hope to a neglected community

• opportunities to expand our service to additional countries in the Middle East, including through business opportunities

• many to pray, give and consider serving in the Middle East

• all who are inquiring, exploring, and raising support to join our teams 72

73

Mongolia

Day 16

Communities where Christ is least known

Nearly half the population of Mongolia

lives in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar.

Culturally and practically, the city is very Tosontsengel

ULAANBAATAR

different from the sparsely populated

countryside.

The city is divided into two groups —

Sainshand

those who live in apartment buildings

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it

and those who dwell in the ger district

springs up; do you not perceive it?

which rings the city. Gers are the

I am making a way in the wilderness

traditional tent homes of the Mongolian

and streams in the wasteland.

nomads. Each year, the ger districts

isaiah 43:19

are expanding, as nomads leave the

traditional way of life to move to the city and establish new homes on small plots of land.

Vision

In the mid-1990s, Mongolia opened, allowing mission workers to enter and share The vision of SIM Mongolia is to glorify God by reaching the people of Mongolia with the gospel. The Lord opened the hearts of many people, and the Mongolian church the gospel and making disciples in the Mongolian churches, so they become mature, experienced rapid growth and wide church planting. The Mongolian church is still evangelistic and engaged in missions work.

very much in its first generation and faces challenges. Its members continue to seek In response to God’s love, SIM Mongolia desires to serve the Mongolian Church to grow and develop a God-honouring identity. The nation faces the challenges of 16

through loving and compassionate relationships.

balancing the rapid growth of secularisation with the traditional underpinning views 16

of Buddhism and shamanistic faith.

Ministry

The greatest need of the Mongolian church is to develop a strong foundation

• Church planting and disciple-making.

of biblical truth. SIM Mongolia seeks to walk alongside the Mongolian church to

• Training next generation leaders in counselling, pastoral leadership and mentoring.

strengthen its foundation, to disciple and mentor local leaders and to facilitate both

• English teaching.

urban and rural outreach.

• Youth.

• Medical outreach.

• NGO training and administration.

Pray for

• Nomadic community outreach

• the leaders of the Mongolian church. Ask the Lord for leaders who will grasp the

• Urban outreach.

responsibility they have been called to. The Mongolian church needs servant

• Shadow pastoring.

leaders who proclaim the Word in and out of season and who serve with a heart for the Kingdom, seeking to grow the Lord’s church, not just their congregations Prayer Notes

• our acting country director, newly appointed to serve for two years. Pray for the team as they seek to listen to the Lord, set strategic goals and establish key partnerships over the coming years

• the Mongolian churches to grab hold of the vision to disciple and train young people and help those young people understand what it means to live as true followers of Jesus Christ

74

75

Mozambique

Day 16

Lichinga

Communities where Christ is least known

Cuamba

Yao

Nampula

It’s said that to be a Yao is to be a Muslim. For Gurúè

centuries, the Yao people have been mixing

traditional African beliefs with Islam to form a syncretic belief system. The Yao people were once Beira

the fierce slave hunters of the north. Today, most of the 500,000 Yao in north west Mozambique are The people walking in darkness have seen

subsistence farmers. Many are illiterate, with a low a great light, and on those living in the land life expectancy.

of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Recently, the Yao have begun to respond to the isaiah 9:2

gospel. In the past five years, the number of Yao MAPUTO

Christians in Mozambique has grown from around 300 to 1,000. So, there is no better time than the Vision

present for evangelism and discipleship ministries.

SIM Mozambique’s vision is to reach the least-reached people in the rural north west area of Mozambique. We long to see communities reconciled to God, participating in Makuwa-Metto and Makuwa-Chirima

There are about one million people in each of these Christ-centred churches and living as God’s ambassadors throughout Mozambique and groups. The Makuwa peoples are matrilineal, tracing across the globe.

their family lines through their mothers. Most people are subsistence farmers, working their fields with only handheld implements, but there is a trend toward Makuwas 16

Ministry

16

moving to the towns and cities, where unemployment and promiscuity are prominent.

SIM works in north west Mozambique, among many who still live and die without Most adhere to Folk Islam or Folk Catholicism. In urban areas, where some small Christ. Our ministries include:

churches exist, well-trained leaders are needed. A translation of the Bible into the Chirima language is almost complete, which will facilitate evangelism and discipleship.

• Church planting in the Lichinga area.

• Youth work in both Lichinga and

• Bible translation.

Cuamba.

• Theological training at Instituto

• Disciple making.

Pray for

Teológico de Lichinga (INTEL.)

• Ministry to the marginalised of Lichinga.

• wisdom as we evaluate and strategise on how to go forward with ministry

• Children’s work in Lichinga and Cuamba.

• A business start-up initiative in

after Covid-19

• Literature distribution.

Cuamba.

• a fruitful harvest of new believers, and for ongoing discipleship among the Yao

• Agriculture in Lichinga.

• Church networking for Lichinga.

• revival among the churches in Cuamba

•

•

•

new church plants in the villages of Massogo and Bandeze Sports ministry in Cuamba.

Teaching English in Lichinga.

• the new church plant (IMIIP) and youth outreach in the city of Lichinga Prayer Notes

• transformed lives among the students at the Instituto Teológico de Lichinga (INTEL)

• protection for the people and an end to the insurgencies that have occurred in the last two years in north eastern Mozambique

• the children and sports ministries in Cuamba, as the mission workers teach and plant seeds of God’s truth and love

• the health and safety of our mission workers

• new mission workers to join the administrative team, as treasurer and personnel coordinator

• the Lord to send more labourers into northern Mozambique 76

77

Myanmar

Day 17

Communities where Christ is least known

Buddhist majority communities

The main ethnic group in Myanmar

lives primarily in the Irrawaddy River

NAY PYI TAW

basin and speaks Burmese, the official

language of Myanmar. The majority are

Yangon

Theravada Buddhists. They practise

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of

Buddhism along with a form of spirit

his salvation from day to day. Declare his

glory among the nations, his marvellous

worship called “nat worship,” which

works among all the peoples!

pre-dates Buddhism. They try to

Psalm 96:2-3

appease the “nats” in order to gain

protection from other evil spirits.

Urban young adults

Vision

An estimated 2.1 million young

In Myanmar, by faith we see the church unleashed as people are moved to worship adults live in the commercial capital,

Jesus, growing in their faith and spreading the gospel where Christ is least known.

Yangon amd make up 30 per cent of

the population. This city is ethnically

17

Ministry

diverse, with residents from various

17

Outreach to Buddhists through:

religious backgrounds: Muslim, Hindu,

• Young people, students, urban immigrants, and the jobless.

Christian and Buddhist. The majority are Buddhist. Young people migrate to the city

• The disadvantaged, the vulnerable, those with disabilities, the poor, domestically from all over the country, looking for jobs and higher education to improve their family’s abused, and traumatised.

way of life. They are open to new ideas and technology and eager to learn English.

• Professionals, teachers, business people, nuns and monks.

Unfortunately, many are unable to obtain jobs after furthering their education.

Pray for

• a swift end to political unrest

• that the hearts and minds of the Myanmar people would be open to Jesus.

• steadfastness and stamina because most of the team are still outside Myanmar.

Pray for favoir and open doors for their return Prayer Notes

• wisdom as we continue to make plans for ministry when the situation stabilises and our people return

• creativity and insight in establishing missional businesses 78

79

Namibia

Day 17

Oshakati

Rundu

Communities where Christ is least known

Grootfontein

Children and youth

Young people make up 60 per cent of our

nation’s population and are heavily influenced WINDHOEK

by the secular culture. SIM equips the church God our Saviour wants all people

by training youth workers to reach next

to be saved and to come to a

generations with the gospel. We also have

knowledge of the truth.

multiple ministries working with disadvantaged 1 timothy 2:3–4

children through schools and community

development programmes.

Leadership training

Through the Namibia Evangelical Theological Vision

Seminary (NETS), SIM is equipping church

Convinced that no one should live and die without hearing the gospel, we are leaders to reach the least reached in their partnering with churches and other organisations to reach children and young people communities with the gospel. NETS offers

with the gospel. By faith, we see people being discipled both inside and outside training for emerging leaders in Bible,

churches. By faith, we see Namibians called to be mission workers.

theology, character and practical ministry

17

skills. Many people inside the church do not know Christ and through formal and 17

Ministry

informal training they hear the gospel for the first time.

• Discipling the 90 per cent of Namibians who are Christians.

• Networking and encouraging cooperation between churches and partners.

• Mobilisation for mission.

Pray for

• Discipling children and youth.

• God to send more workers to Namibia

• Leadership training.

• the churches in Namibia to hear God’s calling to send out workers and support mission both inside and outside of the country

• African Strategic Discipleship Movement (ASDM), a discipleship programme run in the north eastern part of Namibia

• Teen Mission Namibia, an annual summer teen mission trip inspiring and equipping young people for mission.

Prayer Notes

80

81

Nepal

Day 18

Communities where Christ is least known

Approximately 80 per cent of the people are Hindu, 10 per cent are Buddhist, five per cent are Muslim, and 1.4 per cent are Christian.

KATHMANDU

People living in the south

The southern plains are home to more than half the country’s population, with a variety of languages, castes and ethnic backgrounds. Agriculture is the main occupation. Challenges He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what include poverty, inequalities between genders and castes, does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love disasters (especially earthquakes, floods and mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

fires) and health and hygiene issues.

miCah 6:8

Of the nearly one million Muslims, 97 per

cent live in the south. The church reaches out Vision

to people from a variety of backgrounds in

We exist to glorify God by partnering with and empowering local churches, the south, demonstrating God’s love through transformative and empowering ministries.

organisations and communities through diverse ministries. As Jesus followers and as life-long students of language and culture, we: People living with disabilities

• Commit to partner with one another, local churches and organisations in order More than half a million people are known to to promote the goal of people experiencing fullness of life through positive be living with disabilities. The actual number is higher, because many are segregated transformation.

from society due to stigma and shame. The spiritual beliefs of the people have 18

• Seek to humbly represent Christ in character, word and action as a multi-ethnic and traditionally regarded disability as a punishment for bad deeds in a previous life.

18

multi-skilled team, prayerfully serving as He leads, in order to glorify Him through health, People with disabilities are often treated as objects of pity; some are neglected and abandoned.

education, development, disciple-making, training, equipping and other ministries.

People with disabilities have more health problems, lower education levels and

• Cross barriers to demonstrate Christ’s love in communities where He is least known.

higher unemployment rates than the rest of the population. They also experience higher rates of abuse, discrimination and social exclusion.

Ministry

Through partnerships, SIM is reaching out to those affected by disabilities, by

• Health.

• Community development .

providing treatment, rehabilitation, vocational training, advocacy for inclusion and

• Education.

• Mentoring and disciple-making.

social participation.

• Rehabilitation.

• Training and equipping.

• Disaster response.

Pray for

• work permits and visas; it is increasingly difficult to get these documents Prayer Notes

• courageous Christians sharing their faith, as persecution is increasing

• mission workers serving alongside local churches to disciple, train, and encourage

• Muslim people living in the south to experience fullness of life in Christ

• God’s mercy and grace on this nation, as people struggle with the ongoing consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic

• more skilled, tenacious, sacrificial long-term mission workers

• our various ministries, with the goal that people will be empowered and experience positive, lifelong transformation

82

83

New Zealand

Day 18

Communities where Christ is least known Auckland

Young people

Hamilton

Tauranga

Overall, the number of people ticking ‘no

religion’ in the New Zealand census has

doubled since 2006 – now half the population

– and the growth in this category is heavily WELLINGTON

weighted towards those under 30, a huge

For we are God’s handiwork,

increase in young people unengaged with the created in Christ Jesus to do

good works, which God prepared

church.

in advance for us to do.

It used to be common for New Zealand

ePhesians 2:10

Dunedin

young people to go overseas to work and

explore, and for Christian young people to do a short-term mission. Due to Covid-19, rising costs and restricted travel, the idea of serving overseas is disappearing from their thoughts Vision

as a possibility. While this is a challenge for Our vision is to equip and encourage New Zealand churches to be the expression of SIM, it also opens up new avenues to serve

Christ not only in their own communities but around the world, reaching out cross-as more Christian young people are seeking

culturally to make disciples of Jesus where he is least known.

to know how to engage and support work

overseas while being based in New Zealand.

18

Ministry

18

• Working alongside churches in New Zealand for involvement in cross-cultural mission work, as we strengthen our current church partnerships and build new ones.

Pray for

• Providing next-step opportunities for Christians to explore their call to mission.

• young people to catch the mission vision in

• Ensuring that our mission partners are well-equipped to thrive in their ministries for ways that are possible at this time

as long as God desires them to serve.

• our 14 existing prayer groups to grow and

• To partner with like-minded organisations in promoting mission, and supporting our attract younger generations

priority projects.

• the well-being of our mission partners

in areas with fragile health systems as

they work within the often changed

circumstances of the communities they

were called to and find visas harder to get Prayer Notes

• more God-given opportunities to serve

and encourage the New Zealand church in

global mission

84

85

Niger

Day 19

Communities where Christ is least known

University students

Niger has many university students representing every ethnic group in the country as well as students The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because

from surrounding West African countries. While He has anointed me to preach good news

NIAMEY Galmi

security issues have begun to limit our interaction Maradi

to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim

Danja

liberty to the captives and recovery of

in some areas, every people group in Niger is within Dicundiou

sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, reach in the major city hubs.

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.

Like university students the world over, this is a key luke 4:18–19

time in their lives. They are making life decisions about faith, future employment and relationships. Pray for Vision

workers to engage with both believing and unbelieving

• Our vision is to make disciples where Christ is least known.

students during this crucial time.

• We live in a world permeated by an evil that has invaded and corrupted every aspect of life, leaving humankind separated from the Creator and trapped in sin. We are convinced that the gospel changes everything and sets us free. God has called Pray for

SIM to help bring this life-changing message to Niger.

• Christian students to grow in their faith, be

• We are convinced no one should live and die without hearing the good news. Yet, faithful witnesses, and engage in local churches during their time at university more than 17 million people are living and dying without Christ in Niger.

• strong relationships between university students of other faiths and their Christian

• We believe we are called to mobilise Christ’s servants to bring the message of salvation to Niger. We are called by God from all corners of the earth to serve as a counterparts, students and local churches, and students and mission workers diverse ministry team.

• local churches to catch the vision of engaging with university students 19

19

• God’s protection for those involved in evangelism and discipleship Ministry

• administrative and management personnel for our institutions. The needs include a

• Outreach: university outreach centre (Foyer Evangelique Universitaire), personal new area director, a director for Galmi Hospital, a director for the university centre, discipleship, literacy, people group focus, translation, media.

high school and elementary principals for Sahel Academy; a finance manager for

• Community services: Galmi Hospital, Danja Health Center, Sowing Seeds of Change Galmi Hospital; a facilities manager for Galmi Hospital; and a second treasurer for in the Sahel, Dorcas Project widow’s ministry.

• Education: training Christian teachers, ESPriT Seminary, Sahel Academy, Maza Tsaye SIM Niger

Conference Centre, Pan-African Association of Christian Surgeons surgical training.

• more teachers for Sahel Academy. The excellent education children receive at Sahel

• Leadership and services: administration, SIMAIR, guest houses, leadership, church-allows their parents to carry out their ministries in Niger mission relations.

• the association of churches associated with SIM in Niger. Pray for the pastors to be men of integrity and vision, united in purpose, and for increased cooperation Prayer Notes

between the mission and the churches

• SIM Niger, as we navigate the security tensions of the Sahel region. Pray that doors will continue to be open so that Nigeriens can respond to the gospel 86

87

Nigeria

Day 19

Communities where Christ is least known

Tofa

Kano

Potiskum

Tungan bage

Domaturu

Fulani

Gure

There are 16 million Fulani in Nigeria.

Samaru

Jos

Billiri

More workers are needed in this Muslim

Kagoro

Miango

ABUJA

community, which shows openness to

Igbaja

Karu

As long as it is day, we must do the

friendship evangelism and Christian media.

Egbe

works of him who sent me. Night is

We collaborate in meeting needs for animal

coming, when no one can work.

husbandry, primary schools and medical

John 9:4

outreach to Fulani encampments. Recent

Lagos

attacks by some Fulani herdsmen against

Christian farmers have affected attitudes toward this people group. We pray for effective outreach, for Christians to this community in love instead of retaliation, and for opportunities to support and disciple Fulani believers. We praise the Lord for Vision

our new Faithful Witness team who will minister among this By faith, we see:

•

community!

A response in faith to the gospel message from the more than 75 million Muslims and others living and dying without Christ in Nigeria.

Marginalised and vulnerable communities

• Mission teams in each of the 12 northern Sharia states expressing Christ’s love and Disadvantaged and vulnerable groups need to experience compassion in word and deed.

Christ’s love through efforts that provide support and care. SIM

• Strengthened churches with equipped Christians carrying out Christ’s mandate to Nigeria ministers to youth, orphans, widows, those with disabilities and others society make disciples in one of Africa’s most influential and populous countries, making a may cast aside. We look to expand these ministries into the north where limited major impact in global mission this century.

resources and few trained workers reside. Our workers model the biblical value of 19

caring for human life, training those who care for people with special needs, facilitating Ministry

19

•

income generation, ministering to prisoners and engaging in anti-trafficking.

Proclaiming the gospel, particularly to Muslims in the north.

• Supporting and strengthening persecuted Christians and others affected by oppression and hostility.

• Bringing Christ-centred, compassionate medical care and holistic healing to Pray for

marginalised and vulnerable communities and mentoring others to do the same.

• the national Church to intensify its efforts to reach Muslims in the north while the

• Empowering and making disciples amongst the vast numbers of youth in Nigeria.

door is open (John 9:4), and for more workers missionaries to join this task

• Equipping an enthusiastic church through theological education and other disciple-

• millions of Muslims to be receptive to the gospel and for the discipleship of new making endeavours.

Christians with a Muslim background

• the formation of new teams with suitable team leaders to begin ministry in northern cities

Prayer Notes

• our internship programme to yield lasting fruit for world mission

• community rebuilding efforts in the north east, a region impacted by violence

• peace and stability in troubled regions

• persecuted believers to endure hardship and practice love and forgiveness

• our urgent need for more theological educators and medical professionals

• effective and expanded ministries to widows, orphans, people with disabilities, the abused, and other vulnerable communities

88

89

North Africa

Day 20

Communities where Christ is least known

Tunisia

Interior towns and cities

Morocco

In many interior towns and cities, there is notable resistance to foreigners. There is no resident witness in most of these places. Pray Algeria

Libya

for our first team, located on the edge of the Western

When you enter a house,

Sahara

desert. May they quickly find favour and develop first say, ‘Peace to this

relationships with people of peace.

house.’ If a man of peace is

Mauritania

there, your peace will rest

University students

on him; if not, it will return

University campuses are crowded with

to you.

young Muslim adults who are eager to

luke 10:5-6 (niv)

explore ideas. Many of these young people

are searching for truth among the world’s

philosophies and religions. On every campus, Vision

there are thousands of foreign students

As those stripped down, weak and humble, we follow Christ to where his name is not from Sub-Saharan Africa. Many of these

known, so that He may be glorified. We depend on Him through prayer, proclaim the are evangelicals. Pray for the new Faithful good news, walk alongside those who follow Him, and build bonds of fellowship.

Witness project that is bringing campus

By developing partnerships with like-minded organisations, we aim to accelerate disciplers from Francophone Africa to mobilise the placement of personnel where they are most needed. We envision expansion hundreds of these students to minister to

through missional businesses, professionals in mission, and transformational their North African colleagues.

development in the most vulnerable segments of society. We prayerfully establish ministries in coastal cities and look for opportunities to bring the gospel south to the Nomads

peoples of the Sahara Desert.

Among the 92 ethnic groups in North Africa, 22 are nomadic peoples. Very few workers are bringing the gospel to the nomads. Working with nomads is challenging, Ministry

20

requiring creative strategies and adapted methods. Pray for the Bedouins, Tauregs, 20

and Moors.

Disciple-making and church planting through: In 2019, God doubled the number of workers in North Africa. God answered our

• Food processing.

• Wedding rentals.

prayer for workers in three North African countries. The work is difficult, but we are

• Professionals in mission.

• Transformational development among

seeing fruit wherever God has placed us. Through businesses and employment, we

• Teaching English.

vulnerable people.

are building meaningful relationships with employees, community leaders, neighbours,

• Campus discipleship.

• Discipling persecuted believers.

parents of children’s playmates, language teachers, and brand new believers.

• Manufacturing.

• Interns.

• Importing and distribution of goods.

• Third culture kid (TCK) education.

Pray for

Prayer Notes

• God to bless relationships within local communities

• more businesspeople, professionals, interns, and skilled labourers, and for those who will send them from all over the world

• unity of the small church across North Africa

• strong development of our teams, as the number of families in each country grows

• ministries to launch in one more country this year

• God’s leading in new initiatives, discovery of ministry opportunities, and grace in our partnerships

90

91

Pakistan

Day 20

Communities where Christ is least known

ISLAMABAD

Murree

Hazara

The Hazara are mainly Shia Muslims

who have suffered greatly from terrorist

Lahore

attacks. They live in major cities in

PUNJAB

Khanewal

Shout for joy to the

Quetta

Pakistan. We continue to pray for

Bahawalpur

Lord, all the earth.

opportunities to serve these people.

Ghotki

Psalm 100:1

Rahim Yar Khan

Marwari Bhil and Mengwal

Shirkarpur

These people groups are mainly Hindu

subsistence farmers, with limited access

to education, health facilities and

water. There are now several groups of

believers, by God’s grace, but vast areas

Vision

are still unreached.

By faith, and looking to Jesus, we strive to see: Saraikis

• Strong churches actively and sacrificially involved in missions within Pakistan and The traditional homeland of Saraiki speakers is in central Pakistan, where SIM has beyond.

been working with local churches for decades. The Saraikis are a hospitable people,

• Disciples of Jesus expressing God’s love in word and deed in communities where numbering around 20 million. Pray for many to come to know the Lord.

Christ is least known.

• Poor and marginalised families better integrated into society, through education Punjabis

and medical assistance.

The Punjab region is estimated to be 97 per cent Muslim. Christians make up around

• New workers becoming established in effective ministry in Pakistan.

2.6 per cent of the population. Pray for positive relationships between Christians and their neighbours.

Ministry

20

•

•

20

Church planting.

Language and cultural learning.

• Leadership training.

• People care and development.

Pray for

• Rural education.

• Welcoming new workers.

• visas for new personnel, visa renewals for existing personnel, and good

• Rural medical assistance.

• Christian schools.

relationships with officials

• Disciple making training.

• Vocational training for young people.

• SIM leadership and personnel development

• Missional business.

• Ministry with women and children.

• the ongoing training of Christian leaders

• Missionary kid education.

• people from all ethnic backgrounds to come to know Jesus Christ. Ask God to provide support for church ministries and outreach

• safety for our teams, and power and wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Pray for integrity Prayer Notes

and wisdom for government officials

• those suffering through poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and poor healthcare

• police and security guards, who are in difficult and sometimes dangerous jobs

• SIM children’s friendships, education, health, safety, and spiritual growth.

• for more mission workers with a heart for discipleship, outreach, missionary kid education, Bible teaching, leadership, and/or administration.

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93

Paraguay

Day 21

Communities where Christ is least known

Rural subsistence families

Around 40 per cent of Paraguay’s population live in scattered, rural, subsistence communities. Oral learning in the Guarani language is strongly preferred.

Using oral methods, church planting teams are For Christ’s love compels us,

evangelising, discipling and training church leaders, because we are convinced that

regardless of the leaders’ literacy levels, so that these Curuguaty

one died for all, and therefore

leaders may know and teach God’s word.

all died.

ASUNCION

2 CoRinthians 5:14

Indigenous communities

Many of those who belong to Paraguay’s 19

Villarica

indigenous groups live and die in small, scattered San Francisco and Yatalty

Yuty and Yaguarete Cora

communities without sufficient access to God’s good news. An SIM team of mission families has answered a partnership invitation from the indigenous church Vision

leaders to unite in evangelism and discipleship efforts.

Convinced of God’s love for all, we believe He has called us to be witnesses of his The recording studio GGG continues to record good news and to make disciples of Jesus Christ where He is least known, in Paraguay scripture and study materials into local languages and to partner with those burdened for indigenous peoples and around the world.

and unreached rural farming communities.

Ministry

The deaf

• Outreach to Paraguay’s interior: rural pioneer church planting, educational A new SIM mission worker has joined with a local ministry producing the Deaf Bible in partnerships in public and private schools, and oral evangelistic Bible studies.

Paraguayan sign language. She invites others who know ASL and Spanish to join this

• Equipping interior churches and leaders: youth ministries and camping, leadership exciting evangelistic project reaching a uniquely isolated, unreached community.

training, and mobilisation for mission.

The HIV-positive

21

• Walking with First Nations leaders: optometry partnership and discipleship, discipleship Another partner ministry is reaching out to HIV-positive patients and their families, 21

and community empowerment, and heart language multimedia production.

and is willing to work with short- or long-term SIM mission workers called to serve

• Mobilising partnerships: to the deaf, HIV-positive, and other marginalised these marginalised unreached people in Paraguay’s capital.

communities from the city to the rural areas, and from the church to the world.

• Leadership and services: team leadership and formation of our governance board, financial and personnel coordination, short-term ministry volunteer coordination, Pray for

TCK flourishing.

• pioneer church planting efforts happening through Bible studies and education in communities where Bible-teaching churches do not yet exist Prayer Notes

• expansion of the camping ministries through trained youth leaders and a camp ministries’ coordinator, to further strengthen local church discipleship and outreach to the next generation

• more leadership training, so that Paraguayan believers in new churches will be equipped to lead their churches and organise local ministries

• continued growth for the SIM mission family engaged in learning local culture and both Spanish and Guaraní, that they may effectively demonstrate God’s love and collaborate successfully with local partners

• effective partnerships to further mobilise Paraguayan churches to send out workers 94

95

Peru

Day 21

Communities where Christ is least known

Quechua People (Apurimac, La Union, Cusco)

The Quechua people live and thrive throughout the mountain areas of Peru, most living above 2,500 metres.

Pucallpa

SIM Peru teams work in Quechua villages in Cusco, Apurimac and La Union, all with their local language and For we are God’s handiwork, created

cultural variations.

LIMA

in Christ Jesus to do good works,

Since Quechua villages are spread out over some of which God prepared in advance for

Cusco

the most extreme terrain on earth, there are thousands of us to do.

small villages, many of which have no church presence. For Cotahuasi

ePhesians 2:10

Arequipa

example, of the 3,000 Quechua villages in Apurimac, only 300 have a church. Church planting and leadership training needs are very great in most Quechua areas.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, access to Quechua villages has been Vision

The purpose of SIM Peru is to glorify God by partnering with the Peruvian church to difficult for Peruvian evangelists as well as foreign mission workers, due to the make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in communities where He is least known.

reasonable concern that Bible teachers may infect vulnerable communities or get infected themselves.

Ministry

• Theological education in Bible institutes and through regular visits

• to Quechua communities

• Oral Bible teaching

Pray for

•

•

Peru has suffered terribly from the Covid-19 pandemic, with the highest rate of Radio ministry

• Church ministries tailored to men, women, children, youth, and leaders Missions deaths per million worldwide. Pray for an increased speed of vaccination and for capacity building, training and mobilisation the Peruvian church to serve hurting families compassionately

•

21

Community service ministries: a breakfast programme, homework clubs,

• wisdom for Peruvian churches and SIM workers in deciding when to stay virtual and 21

• and water projects

when to minister in-person

• Dental work in a mission clinic and in villages

• Peruvians to continue to be sent out to the ends of the earth through SIM

• University student ministry and English ministry for students Sunday school training LatinoAmerica, and for the churches that send them and Vacation Bible School preparation Sports Friends ministry

• Prison ministry

Prayer Notes

96

97

Philippines

Day 22

Communities where Christ is least known

Muslim peoples

METRO

The Philippines is home to 14 Muslim groups, all MANILA

Betengos

originating from Mindanao. Each group has a unique culture, but all share the same faith, which is mixed I have become all things to all people so

with animistic practices.

that by all possible means I might save

Armed conflict in Mindanao in the late 1960s some. I do all this for the sake of the

led many Muslims to flee to Manila and beyond.

gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Since then, many more have moved there to study 1 CoRinthians 9:22b-23

Mindanao

and find better work opportunities, forming many communities.

Pray for SIM workers and their ministry in six communities in Luzon and two communities in Mindanao, through ministries primarily related to Vision

children, youth, women, and livelihood.

In partnership with churches and organisations, we:

• Engage communities of the majority faith and migrants where Christ is least known.

Indonesian diaspora

• Minister and equip workers among them.

According to the 2000 Philippines census, 43,871 Indonesians were living in the

• Mobilise and train for cross-cultural ministry.

Philippines. Migrations started as early as the 17th century, due to the proximity of Mindanao’s coastline to North Sulawesi. Those of the Indonesian diaspora belong to Ministry

the Sangir or Sangil people group, who are considered to be traders or fishers.

• Children’s ministry, through feeding and education.

Most of them live in Southern Mindanao, although there are some in metropolitan

• Women’s ministry, through livelihood and missional business.

Manila as well. Pray for the Indonesian couple who have been reaching out to them.

• Youth ministry, through scholarships, sports, and youth camps.

Pray for another Indonesian couple who will also soon be serving these groups.

• Disciple-making, mentoring, counselling, and member care.

22

22

• Oral Bible storying.

• Bible and literature translation.

Pray for

• Hospital visitation ministry.

• our team’s disciple-making efforts and the maturing of a fellowship of Muslim

• International student ministry.

background believers. Pray that these believers will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus

• the livelihood initiatives and crisis responses to bring about holistic Christian Prayer Notes

transformation

• creative ways to reach and disciple international students and other migrants. more male workers and younger workers to join our team

• deeper intimacy with God, unity, and fruitfulness for SIM Philippines

• more Filipino churches and individuals to engage in Muslim ministries and in sending and caring for mission workers

• ongoing efforts to mobilise, network, and develop good partnerships 98

99

Senegal

Day 22

Communities where Christ is least known

The Wolof

There are over five million Wolof in Senegal, Thies

and their influence is felt nationwide. The How, then, can they call on the

DAKAR

Kaffrine

one they have not believed in?

Wolof language is widely spoken by other

And how can they believe in the

people groups. Only a few hundred Wolof

one of whom they have not heard?

in Senegal follow Jesus, while the rest

And how can they hear without

follow Islam, most commonly a form of folk

someone preaching to them?

Islam. The Wolof have traditionally been

Romans 10:14

subsistence farmers, but many are now

active in trade and hundreds of thousands have moved to the urban sprawl of Dakar to study or seek employment.

Wolof believers — There is a saying in Senegal that to be Wolof is to be Muslim. So, Vision

those who have decided to follow Christ face persecution. At times this is physical, but it SIM Senegal’s vision is that Wolof and Wolofphone people would come to know is regularly social when they are excluded from their communities.

Jesus Christ.

Ministry

Pray for

• Teaching English.

• Evangelism, disciple making and

• SIM Senegal’s diverse ministries to connect us to Wolof seekers with whom we can

• Medical ministries.

church planting.

share the truth about Jesus

• Sports Friends.

• Producing and distributing Wolofal

• good use of the many audio and visual resources already available, and partnership

• Leadership and administration.

Scriptures (Wolof language written in

with local believers as we seek to develop media ministries further

• Training centre offering employment

Arabic script).

• many Wolof adults and children to come to believe in Jesus and for strong Wolof skills and Christian literature.

• Outreach via websites and social media.

churches to grow. Many are attracted to the gospel but find the idea of leaving their

• Teaching and dorm parenting

religion to be overwhelming. Pray for the Spirit’s work in their lives 22

22

missionary kids.

• Wolof Christians to persevere and witness, so that their faithfulness to Christ may point many others to Him

• more long-term workers with a heart for the Wolof to come to Senegal

• perseverance and good progress for those workers who are learning Wolof Prayer Notes

100

101

South Africa

Day 23

Communities where Christ is least known

PRETORIA

Krugersdorp

A change in location and focus

Edenvale

Johannesburg

After years of prayer and analysis, we are relocating Mseleni

our office from Cape Town in Western Cape

BLOEMFONTEIN

Province to a location near Durban in KwaZulu-Pietermaritzburg

Sunbury

“I will search for the lost and bring

Natal. This change brings us into a region that Durban

back the strays. I will bind up the

is, by many measures, the least reached in South Port Shepstone

injured and strengthen the weak,

Africa. We are obtaining a larger facility in a but the sleek and the strong I will

Fort Beaufort

neighbourhood which will enable us to minister to CAPE TOWN

destroy. I will shepherd the flock

Stellenbosch

Port Elizabeth

those communities directly from our headquarters.

with justice.”

ezekiel 34:16

Xhosa, Indian, and Portuguese ethnolinguistic communities, religious groups such as Muslims and Hindus and Amazioni, and international students and workers will all be closer to our centre and more central in our focus.

Vision

By faith, we see:

• A witness of Christ’s love where He is least known.

Pray for

• Disciples of Jesus expressing God’s love in their communities.

• new and existing partners — individuals, families, communities, churches, and

• Christ-centred churches spreading the gospel among all peoples in South Africa and organisations — to join us enthusiastically in this endeavour and in Christ’s great throughout the world.

commission

• effective, loving inroads to South Africa’s least-reached communities and awareness Ministry

of how best to minister to their needs

• Ministries and outreach to children, youth, young adults, and adults.

• more workers to take the gospel to and minister among the least reached

• Evangelism and church planting in communities where Christ is least known.

• revival among Christians and churches — especially those without a history of

• Intentional discipleship.

sending mission workers

• Theological and leadership development.

• a spirit of oneness in purpose and heart among all those who serve with SIM South 23

• Mobilisation and training for cross-cultural service.

Africa.

23

• Leading and supporting workers.

Prayer Notes

102

103

South Sudan and Sudan

Day 23

Communities where Christ is least known

SUDAN

Healing through pain

The country has been beset by multiple

san

KHARTOUM

conflicts over the years. Many need the touch

: neil

tos

of the Healer. God is entering people’s lives Pho

through their hearts.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your

Melut

name give glory, for the sake of your

Doro

Beyond borders

Malakal

steadfast love and your faithfulness!”

The churches in the diaspora are slowly

Psalm 115:1

growing. Believers congregate in small

SOUTH SUDAN

churches in refugee camps throughout many

surrounding countries, including Kenya,

JUBA

Uganda, and Ethiopia. Pray these churches

would grow deep in their love of Christ.

Vision

Pray for

By faith, we see:

• us to see God’s glory in Sudan and South

• The church in South Sudan committing to sending more mission workers Sudan

• Christian refugees returning to their homes and taking the gospel with them

• Christian refugees to be strengthened in challenging circumstances

• The myriad of unreached people groups of Sudan coming to a saving faith in Jesus Christ

• Sudanese and South Sudanese churches to send out more mission workers across cultures

Ministry

• each of the refugees hosted in South Sudan to come to faith in Jesus.

• Replicating missional churches.

• God’s shalom to overtake hearts wounded by decades of conflict

• Serving and equipping churches for missions.

• strength for our team and that we would not grow weary

• Leadership and administrative services.

• our team to know that we are loved by God, not because of what we do but 23

• Outreach, discipleship and church planting.

because we are his children

23

• Mobilising for mission.

• the Lord of the Harvest to send more workers into his harvest field Prayer Notes

104

105

Sri Lanka

Day 24

Communities where Christ is least known

Muslims

Muslims comprise almost 10 per

cent (approximately 2.1 million) of Sri

Lanka’s population and their numbers

are increasing.

I have become all things to all

The Moors, who make up a

people so that by all possible

COLOMBO

means I might save some.

significant portion of the Muslim

Nuwara Eliya

1 CoRinthians 9:22b

community, are mainly descendants

of the Arabs who came as traders.

Muslim tradesmen who arrived from

India are also counted in this group. The Malays, a smaller Muslim group found in Sri Lanka, are of Malaysian and Indonesian descent.

Muslim influence has grown, due to intermarriage between these people groups and Vision

Sri Lankans, political leadership and economic sway. The influence of Muslims far exceeds To see communities transformed by the gospel and empowered in society.

their numbers. Even though a few hundred people among them have come to follow Christ, there are no churches with congregants or pastors from Muslim backgrounds.

Ministry

In the last few decades, a small segment of the church has become conscious of the

• Evangelism seminars and training.

need to share God’s love with these neighbours. There has been little opposition to, or

• Disciple-making.

initiation of, gospel work among Muslim communities.

• Tract ministr.y

SIM is part of a network whose goal is to reach these people through organising

• Counsellor training at Colombo Theological Seminary.

conferences, providing training and bringing awareness and direction to the church about

• Seminary instruction.

outreach to Muslims.

• English instruction.

• Counselling women and couples.

• Basic counselling seminar.s

Pray for

• Marriage and family seminars.

• the church, that it will become aware of the gospel need in Sri Lankan Muslim 24

• Trauma healing training.

communities and will dispel inhibitions about relating to them and will learn how 24

best to share the gospel

• Local church-based ministries to build up the body of Christ.

• the salvation of the 2.1 million Muslims who live in Sri Lanka

• God to send labourers from Sri Lanka and overseas to train the church to reach Prayer Notes

this community

• effective leadership of the Muslim Network in its efforts to come up with a common strategy for evangelism and church planting

• more volunteers and unity in the network

• new believers to become disciples and church planters among their own people

• two church planters to come forward to plant churches in each of the 25 districts of the island

106

107

Switzerland

Day 24

Communities where Christ is least known

Switzerland’s religious situation

Biel/Bienne

Fifty years ago, nearly 100 per cent

BERN

of all Swiss were either Catholic or

…being confident

Reformed. Since then, the national

of this, that he who

churches, especially the Reformed

began a good work in

church, have seriously decreased. Today

you will carry it on to

35 per cent are Catholic and 23 per

completion until the

cent are Reformed, but only about half

day of Christ Jesus.

believe that there is only one God and

PhiliPPians 1:6

regularly attend church services. Fully

28 per cent of the Swiss people no longer belong to any religion. This is the fastest Vision

growing group. About five per cent of the people in Switzerland are Muslim.

Our vision is that people of all cultures may know God. By faith, we: The number of evangelical churches is growing but remains at around 2.5 per

• Live and serve as disciples of Jesus Christ.

cent. Studies have found that these evangelical churches reach only “institutionally-

• Serve the churches.

minded people’’ and these churches make little impact on the population, particularly

• Mobilise, orient, empower and accompany workers.

the younger generation. Faith is not seen as relevant in modern Swiss society — a

• Engage in cross-cultural ministry.

significant challenge for mission workers. The same studies also revealed a lack of churches in rural and suburban zones.

Ministry

The SIM Switzerland office is dedicated to:

• Connecting with churches in the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland.

Pray for

• Sending Christians into cross-cultural ministries, providing administrative support

• good networking and partnerships with churches and organisations and member care.

• a vision for cross-cultural work, especially among the younger generation

• Raising spiritual and financial support.

• creative ways to mobilise people for mission work

• Maintaining modern and relevant communication tools in German and French.

• an increase in the number of mission workers, especially after the Covid-19 crisis

• Facilitating the sending of mission workers from Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy,

• God’s provision of financial support

24

and Romania, as well as occasionally from other countries in central, eastern and

• The flourishing of our workers

24

southern Europe.

• Wisdom in facilitating the sending of workers from Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy and Romania, and from other countries in Europe which do not yet have an established sending structure

Prayer Notes

• guidance for the renewal of the personnel in the Swiss office

• the launching of Sport Friends ministry here 108

109

Tanzania

Day 25

Communities where Christ is least known

People on the coast

One of the areas where Christ is least

known is along the south east coast

Bagamaya

Dodoma

of Tanzania, hence our motto: “The

DAR ES SALAAM

He is the One we proclaim,

Coast, for Christ, by the Church.”

admonishing and teaching

Most of the people in the

everyone with all wisdom, so

communities we serve are living day-

that we may present everyone

to-day. Fishers take out their dhows

fully mature in Christ.

Lindi

or dugouts, hoping to catch enough

Colossians 1:28

Mtwara

each day to sell to meet their needs.

Most are strongly influenced by

Islam and traditional healers. Many live

in constant fear of being cursed. Only Jesus can set them free.

Vision

Our prayer is that local churches, though small, will take up the challenge of By faith, we see the church mobilised to disciple coastal people. SIM Tanzania’s motto reaching out to their neighbours who do not know Christ. Pray for us as we join hands is “The Coast, for Christ, by the Church.”

with them in this adventure.

A typical outreach consists of door-to-door evangelism during the week, with an Ministry

invitation to the Jesus Film that will be shown later that week. In the past, this has led

• Outreach and church planting in villages.

to the planting of small churches, which are still operating to this day. Pray for more

• Disciple-making and training.

churches to catch this vision, so they can play a role in seeing the church multiply in

• Women’s ministries.

nearby villages where there are no churches yet.

• Bible teaching at government schools.

• Church-run Christian primary schoo.l

• Jesus Film outreaches.

Pray for

• Literature distribution.

• local churches to join in the outreaches to those communities who are living and dying without Christ, especially along the coast

• firm-standing leaders for the newly-planted churches, as they struggle daily to overcome challenges while continuing to serve the body of Christ 25

25

• new believers to stand firm as they face many discouragements and hardships

• God’s blessing on the church-run Christian primary school, as we trust Him for Prayer Notes

provisions needed to finish this building

• short-term volunteers who can assist in building into, and encouraging, the teachers at the school

• the women who are being trained in the income-generating projects of baking and handicrafts, as they venture out to support their families

• disciple-making efforts among the young people 110

111

Thailand

Day 25

Chiang Mai

Communities where Christ is least known

The central Thai

Kaeng Khro

Khon Kaem

There are very few Christians (0.25 per cent) Chatturat

Ayutthaya

among the Thai who live in the central plain BANGKOK

region, which includes the capital city of

I pray that the eyes of your heart

Bangkok. Many districts and sub-districts in may be enlightened in order that you

this region have no known Christians and no may know the hope to which He has

Christian workers. SIM is building multi-skilled, called you, the riches of His glorious

multi-ethnic church planting teams to serve inheritance in His holy people.

this significant group of people in Thailand.

ePhesians 1:18

Nakhon Si Thammarat

University students

There are 2.5 million students at universities in Thailand. Many of these students come from

Vision

areas where Christ is not known.

By faith, we see the least-reached communities of Thailand responding authentically University is often a time of self-exploration to the gospel and being discipled into biblically-based, community-transforming and consideration of new ideas, which creates churches which engage in mission.

great opportunities to introduce students to Motivated by Christ’s love, we strive to make disciples where He is not yet known.

Christ. Most of Thailand’s universities have no Christian ministry among students.

Ministry

Teaching English is a large and strategic opportunity, because the new Association

• University ministry.

of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community has chosen English as its medium

• Evangelism and church planting.

for communication. Students know their career success will depend on their ability

• Sports Friends.

to speak English. Our desire is to have workers who are committed to building

• Hope for Life, an HIV and AIDS outreach ministry.

relationships with Thai university students, evangelising and making disciples of new

• Missionary kid education.

believers.

• Leadership and administration.

• English teaching.

• Counselling.

Pray for

25

25

• God to bring more workers to join multi-ethnic, multi-skilled church planting teams who are reaching areas of Thailand where Christ is not known Prayer Notes

• God to provide workers with a passion to serve university students

• the people who are preparing and beginning new ministry work in Thailand 112

113

Togo

Day 26

Communities where Christ is least known

Muslim Lokpa

Many ECWA-Togo churches are among

Sokodé

the Lokpa people. An SIM Canadian mission

worker brought the gospel to animistic

And the things you have heard me say in

Lokpa villages in Benin. Christian Lopka

the presence of many witnesses entrust to

families, struggling on overused farmland,

reliable people who will also be qualified to moved across the border to Togo. Their

teach others.

churches were the beginnings of

2 timothy 2:2 (niv)

ECWA-Togo.

Muslim traders also reached the Lokpa

LOME

and drew many to their beliefs. Some also

made their way to Togo and settled in the

same villages. Nowadays, an ECWA-Togo

Vision

evangelical church can be at one end of a

We see dynamic, inter-dependent partnerships and mutually nurturing relationships village with a mosque at the other. People

with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA-Togo), other mission organisations, have lived side-by-side for years, even with and churches, as we respond together to the spiritual challenges in Togo and focus on families split between the two religions.

proclaiming the gospel among people groups with little Christian witness.

They live together peacefully and any

attempted evangelism has ended in quarrels, each defending their own beliefs. We Ministry

pray Lokpa churches have a burden to reach their non-Christian neighbours.

• Leadership and theological training.

We praise God for a few conversions and that some teenage Muslim girls have

• Church partnerships.

been coming. Several in recent years have shown up at the church saying they want to

• Partnering with believers to reach and disciple their own people.

become Christians because they see Christian husbands treat their wives better and

• Friendship evangelism and discipleship among a majority people group, including only take one wife. Through attending church to find a husband, they have put their use of media ministries.

trust in Christ.

• Women’s ministry.

Pray for

• local Christians to be a witness through their godly lives 26

• growth among ECWA-Togo churches, especially in their capacity for church 26

Prayer Notes

planting, discipleship and mission outreach

• Christian communities to be established among the Met, Tchamba, Bago, Koussountou, Fulani and Lokpa

• the development of a farming and discipleship project to assist new believers

• the training of capable, godly and visionary pastors, elders, and mission workers 114

115

United Kingdom

Day 26

Communities where Christ is least known

Diverse communities

Fourteen per cent of the UK’s population were Edinburgh

born abroad, and this number rises to 36 per Belfast

cent in Greater London. Many refugees and

Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s

migrants have no knowledge of Jesus, only

house. And we are his house, if indeed we

knowing caricatures of the Christian faith.

hold firmly to our confidence and the hope

Our ENGAGE programme brings mission

Cambridge

in which we glory.

workers into UK churches, helping them to

Cardiff

LONDON

hebRews 3:6

bridge cultural gaps, respond to needs and share the gospel. We pray for multi-ethnic mission teams and healthy, diverse churches developing across cultural barriers in UK society.

Vision

We work hand in hand with evangelical churches to send and receive gospel workers Pray for

who are equipped for cross-cultural mission wherever people live and die without

• more workers from the UK to be sent

hearing God’s good news.

into SIM teams worldwide. Praise God for

We do this by:

incoming workers involved in ministry in

• Mobilising prayer and workers from churches for global cross-cultural ministry.

UK communities through our ENGAGE

• Partnering and resourcing churches for inter-cultural mission.

programme

• Equipping mission workers with support, mentoring, and training.

• engaging the next generation for mission

• Collaborating with partners to develop training programmes and ministry hubs.

• building new relationships with churches and networks of diverse ethnicities and

Ministry

backgrounds. Pray for growing engagement,

• Sending and receiving workers to and from the UK.

facilitated by the SIM UK HQ relocation to

• Supporting UK churches in cross-cultural ministry.

Cambridge

• Mission worker care and support.

• people arriving in the UK as refugees,

• Inter-cultural training workshops.

migrants or to re-settle (especially from Hong Kong). Pray they are welcomed warmly by

26

Christians and churches, and hear the gospel 26

Prayer Notes

116

117

United States

Day 27

“The harvest is plentiful,

but the labourers are few;

Communities where Christ is least known

therefore pray earnestly to the

Lord of the harvest to send out

The Bride of Christ in America includes tens of labourers into his harvest.”

thousands of people who have received a calling to matthew 9:37-38

go and make disciples where Jesus is least known.

SIM USA is committed to helping churches as they work to remind those whom God is leading about their need to respond.

SIM USA has been praying Matthew 9:38 and

mobilising the nation to join us in prayer, believing Charlotte

God will raise up workers who will say yes to cross barriers to share his good news where needed most.

Sebring

Our desire is to encourage pastors and walk alongside churches who are making disciples in the US. There are people whose next step in Vision

following Jesus is to share his grace and truth Our wildly important goal focuses on sending and sustaining more overseas American among the nations.

ambassadors of Jesus. We are committed to go from a shrinking mission workforce (-3

per cent per year) to a growing missionary workforce (+3 per cent per year) by 1 July 2022. Through eyes of faith, we see 100 new workers being sent per year by 2030. A Pray for

steady annual 10 per cent increase in mission worker sending will achieve this goal.

• the beautiful, multifaceted US church to feel the weight of our need to see God sending more workers

Ministry

• an abundance of prayer and financial support partners to respond wholeheartedly By prayer, we recruit, prepare, and journey with Christians sent by churches as we go to God’s invitation to participate in making Jesus known and make disciples of Jesus Christ where needed most.

• vibrant church partnerships and God’s help to find more Christians who will be sent by their churches

• current SIM USA workers’ relationships to result in more American believers considering the possibility God might be calling them to be his witness in communities where Jesus is least known

• wisdom and courage as we seek to journey with increasing numbers and increasing diversity of mission workers being sent and sustained in the coming years, carefully and relationally making disciples of those who will go and make 27

Prayer Notes

disciples of all nations

27

• 100 future mission workers living in the USA to have fresh clarity from God that they should contact SIM and pursue an opportunity to share Jesus across barriers 118

119

Uruguay

Day 27

Communities where Christ is least known

Care for Cubans

Political and health crises have resulted in the displacement of millions of people in

Latin America. The stability of Uruguay in

recent decades and its decent housing for

immigrants have made the country a magnet

Keep on loving one another as brothers

and sisters. Do not forget to show

for thousands of Cubans who have made it

hospitality to strangers, for by so doing

their new home.

Canelones

some people have shown hospitality to

The vast majority of them come without

Cludad de la Costa

angels without knowing it.

their families, without a network of support, MONTEVIDEO

Corrasco

hebRews 13:1-2

and without a relationship with Jesus Christ as a result of the restrictive policies of

their island. This has generated a high risk of falling prey to even more complex and

Vision

heartbreaking situations.

We are convinced that no one should live or die without hearing and understanding When a group of students from SIM’s

the gospel of Jesus Christ in Uruguay and around the world. For this reason, we Next Generation vocational programme at the seminary performed a study for their believe that God has called SIM mission workers to this country to be instruments course about which groups in their city needed the good news, they found that no one who reach, train, and equip new generations of Uruguayans for Jesus Christ.

was serving this immigrant demographic in an integral way. They decided to launch a ministry with SIM support called New Roots.

Ministry

This ministry consists of identifying immigrants at social risk and providing them

• Church planting in least-reached areas.

with legal advice, general care and connection with people from local churches who

• Outreach to university students.

can be that new network of friends and loving support. This effort is communicating

• Children’s outreach and Bible training.

the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

• Equipping international population for local impact.

Pray for New Roots in Uruguay. Pray these students can continue to be salt and

• Youth specialties leadership training and disciple-making.

light in the midst of people who need a loving refuge.

• Mentoring and cross-cultural skill-building.

• Todos Oirán missions and theological training.

• Catalyst leadership training programme.

Pray for

• an increased impact of the discipleship efforts in the unreached regions 27

Prayer Notes

• displaced internationals, who would never set foot in a church in their country, to 27

have a new openness and curiosity while in Uruguay

• SIM Uruguay to reach and equip the next generation of Uruguayan disciple-makers

• the increase and strengthening of partnerships with organisations, local churches and other ministries to expand our reach to new areas and people groups 120

121

Vietnam

Day 28

Communities where Christ is least known HANOI

Minority communities

There are about 67 least reached people groups in Vietnam. Thirty have fewer than one per cent professing Christians, and 15 have no Christ-followers at all.

It was He who gave some to be apostles,

In these communities, when a person

Da Nang

some to be prophets, some to be

receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, he or evangelists, and some to be pastors and

she is eager to follow the biblical mandate to teachers, to prepare God’s people for

lead others to Christ by making, baptising and works of service, so that the body of

teaching disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

Christ may be built up

The new believer’s response is often to plant and shepherd a church in his or her ePhesians 4:11-12

Ho Chi Minh City

community. These pastors have low education and Bible knowledge levels. As Christ-followers, their risk of persecution is high. Their journey can be lonely, with no one available locally to encourage, guide, or help them grow in their new faith.

Majority community

Vision

The Kinh people are the majority community in Vietnam and make up 86 per cent of By faith in our loving heavenly father and empowered by his Holy Spirit, we trust the population. They have Christian resources available to them, but only 1.2 per cent of the more than 78 million Viet-Kinh are followers of Christ. This makes the Kinh God for:

people the largest unreached people group in south east Asia.

• Vietnamese communities where Christ is least known being engaged by a multi-ethnic team with the gospel, reflecting Christ through character, word and action.

• God’s people belonging to growing, maturing, indigenous, and mission-minded Pray for

churches, being and making disciples of Jesus in Vietnam and beyond.

• minority pastors and the few Christ-followers they shepherd. Pray they can receive help to understand God’s word and teach others about Him accurately Ministry

• the Lord to provide workers who will live in Vietnam and make disciples in culturally

• Equipping: leadership development, theological and missiological education, appropriate ways

training for biblically-guided relationships in home, church and community, training

• the nation. Pray for opportunities to establish missional businesses, engage in missional business, and sports.

universities,and introduce educational initiatives, through which Vietnam’s people

• Helping Vietnamese who face surgeries, injuries, and other traumatic events, will find their true purpose in Christ

by providing them with God’s love, comfort, and caring through chaplaincy; and

• believers in local churches to have a growing vision to reach out boldly to those sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in businesses and campus ministries.

who have not yet heard of Jesus

• approaches to train Vietnamese to equip their own people and develop leaders, enabling kingdom growth and transformation

Prayer Notes

• communities in the north, centre, and south that have no church or have a church lacking a pastor with adequate Bible knowledge 28

• minority communities, who are minimally reached, to hear the good news of Jesus 28

• the Kinh majority community to be awakened to the good news about Jesus and share it boldly with others

• courage and perseverance for those facing opposition and persecution for their faith.

• church leaders to teach biblical principles for godly living effectively

• Communist Party members, government officials, and military personnel. These people are influential pillars in Vietnamese society.

122

123

WAMO West Africa Missions Office

Day 28

Communities where Christ is least known Faithful Witness Locations in West Africa

KAYES IN MALI – The Moors of Mali are Mali

located in Kayes, where Christ is least known.

Niger

They are nomadic Berbers and inhabit a small Senegal

kingdom in the upper reaches of the Niger

The Gambia

Therefore go and make

Burkina

River. The term “Moor” is generally applied to Faso

disciples of all nations,

any person who speaks a particular range of Guinea

Benin

baptising them in the name

dialects. The door is opening for workers to live Cote

Ghana

Nigeria

of the Father and of the Son

among the Moors, who are Muslim.

d’Ivoire

Togo

and of the Holy Spirit.

Liberia

matthew 28:19

NORTHERN NIGERIA –

ABIDJAN

This region is home

to one of the largest semi-nomadic groups, the Fulani, found across West and Central Africa.

Some continue as semi-nomadic herders, while Vision

others have moved to cities. They herd animals across vast areas, frequently clashing with Convinced that no one should live and die without hearing God’s good news, the West farming communities. They are often linked

Africa Missions Office:

with another group, the Hausas. As the two

• Partners with the West African church for the success of global mission.

groups have lived together for a very long time,

• Mobilises and sends qualified, equipped workers from and through the West some refer to the Hausa-Fulani, though they are African church all over the world, to cross cultural barriers with love to those living different groups. The Fulani played a key role in and dying without Christ.

the 19th century revival of Islam in Nigeria.

• Enables the making of disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in communities where He is least known, through workers sent from West Africa.

The West Africa Missions Office continues to mobilise workers who are willing and passionate Ministry

to take advantage of the opportunities that

• Mobilising in West Africa for the recruitment of new workers.

exist to be faithful witnesses to those living and dying in these communities.

• Partnering with local like-minded churches, mission organisations, and other regional bodies in West Africa for global mission.

• Training and sending mission workers from West Africa.

• Mobilising prayer and financial support.

Pray for

• more faithful witnesses to be mobilised for these communities, from West Africa and

Prayer Notes

beyond

• an increase in the gospel’s reception in these 28

communities

28

• believers in northern Nigeria to express extraordinary love, so that those living and dying without hearing about the love of Jesus will experience the practical love of Jesus Christ

• long-term workers to live and be faithful witnesses in Kayes and northern Nigeria 124

125

West Malaysia

Day 28

Communities where Christ is least known Orang Asli

The Orang Asli or “original peoples” were estimated to account for about 0.7 per cent of the population of West Malaysia, numbering about 198,000 in 2017. Officially, there are 18 tribes of Orang Asli in Malaysia, each with its own culture, religion and How, then, can they call on the One

language. They are the oldest people groups of Malaysia but are also the poorest and they have not believed in? And how can

most oppressed. Although some have decided to follow Islam or Christianity, they are KUALA

they believe in the One of whom they

LUMPUR

traditionally animists. In recent years, they have retreated farther back into the forest have not heard? And how can they hear

to avoid demands to assimilate to the majority culture or convert to another religion.

without someone preaching to them?

Romans 10:14 (niv)

Migrants and refugees

Many people have come to Malaysia in search of a better future for their families.

There are an estimated six million migrants in Malaysia, but less than half of them are documented. Almost all of them live and work in the country without proper permits Vision

or wages. As of March 2020, there were nearly 180,000 refugees and asylum seekers Our vision is to see every people group in this country reached with Christ’s love. Our registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in aim is for all the believers in West Malaysia to be discipled and equipped with the Malaysia. Like undocumented migrants, refugees don’t have legal rights to live a vision, skills, and resources to proclaim the message of reconciliation with God in word normal life here. Their human rights are often violated. God is calling us to reach out to and deed, among communities where Christ is not known.

them with Christ’s love.

We strive to share God’s love among the least-reached peoples, including migrants, refugees and international students in West Malaysia. We are also working to establish International students

a collaboration of churches, mission groups, and Christian leaders which aims to make International students continue to choose Malaysia to study because of the quality disciples of our Lord Jesus in communities where He is least known, ministering at education available. There are around 130,000 international students from 136

home and abroad.

countries studying here. Most of them come from south east Asia, the Middle East, Middle Asia, and African countries, with some also from Europe. Our international Ministry

student ministry connects students with the gospel through friendship evangelism,

• Humanitarian work among migrants and refugees.

making disciples who can engage with their own cultures when they return home.

• Friendship evangelism among international students.

• Partnership in theological education and leadership training.

• Community-building projects among the diaspora in cities.

Pray for

• the removal of barriers, so that God’s love can be shared freely across the country Prayer Notes

to all

• more trained workers to serve among the migrants, refugees and international 28

students

• increased participation and partnership with local churches to do God’s mission 28

at doorsteps

• resources and staff to mobilise local churches and support incoming workers 126

127

Zambia

Day 29

Communities where Christ is least known

Asian diaspora

ts

Asian diaspora communities in Zambia are

robery

Solwezi

growing fast. SIM encourages the work

D

Chizela

of one small Asian church. The Indian

: santo

Ndola

diaspora is mainly in the business sector

Mukinge

And whatever you do, whether in

Pho

word or deed, do it all in the name

and are Muslim or Hindu.

Mongu

Luampa

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to

LUSAKA

God the Father through him.

Men and women in prison

Choma

Colossians 3:17

Some have gone to prison due to unwise

choices, often compounded by poverty

and unemployment. These men and women are generally open to the Good News of freedom in Christ.

University students

Vision

Most Zambian university students have been exposed to Christian beliefs but are The vision of SIM Zambia is to be a witness to Christ’s love where He is least known, heavily influenced by secular education and educators. They often struggle during this expressing God’s love and compassion and teaching disciples to do likewise, resulting formative season of life with understanding their faith biblically and making it genuinely in Christ-centred churches across Zambia.

their own.

Ministry

• Youth ministry.

Pray for

• Health ministry.

• the SIM Zambia Board as they review and refine our ministry strategy including a

• Community development.

succession plan for field leadership roles

• Disciple-making and leadership training.

• God to send the right people to fill key personnel needs, including a second surgeon

• Primary and secondary education.

and anaesthetists at the hospital and chaplains to serve in prisons and schools

• the staff at our youth centres as they disciple and encourage youth to grow in their

• University campus ministry.

faith and for our first Zambian director at the Mongu Youth Centre

• Prison ministry.

• our health workers, for wisdom, protection and stamina as they minister to the

• Theological education.

physical and spiritual needs of their patients

• Leadership and administration.

• our community development ministry which helps teach rural farmers ways to grow food for their families effective and also impacts their lives spirtually

• our disciple-making and leadership training ministries with local churches, Bible Prayer Notes

colleges, in schools and on university campuses, that they would impact individuals who will then be able to share their faith with others

• those who teach and minister to children in their school and community contexts, 29

and that these young lives would be changed for eternity 29

• the diaspora in Zambia to hear and be transformed by the gospel 128

129

Zimbabwe

Day 29

Communities where Christ is least known HARARE

The Ba Tonga people

Gokwe

Marondera

Numbering about 300,000 (2.3 per cent of the Zimbabwean population), and found along the border Mutare

of Zimbabwe and Zambia, this people group is often neglected by development agencies. The Ba Tonga Masvingo

Rusitu

were displaced during the construction of the Kariba Bulawayo

Praise the Lord, all you nations;

extol Him, all you peoples.

Dam and relegated to a district called Binga, which has Psalm 117:1

become their homeland. However, their culture has not died. They believe in a supreme god called Mwari, the same word used for God in the rest of the country.

However, they believe this god can only be reached and appeased through ancestral worship. The elephant, Vision

the baobab tree, and certain fish are also used as By faith, we see a witness of Christ to every Zimbabwean, so that no one lives and worship symbols. Smoking marijuana is also traditional dies without hearing the gospel and responding to it; believers are discipled into a and cultural.

fuller understanding of their faith; and Christ’s compassionate love is expressed and SIM has always prayed to start gospel outreach shared with the poor, hurting, and suffering.

ministries among the Ba Tonga. One strategy being explored is for the theological colleges in a nearby city, Ministry

Bulawayo, to recruit students from Binga intentionally,

• Outreach ministries: children, particularly vulnerable girls, youth, HIV and AIDS and who would then return to evangelise their people. The Covid-19 prevention, famine relief, disaster relief.

long-term vision is to establish a mission station with a

• Theology and resources: theological education, Leaders Equipping and Resourcing theological college in Binga township.

Network (LEARN), research, witness to cults.

• Leadership and services.

• Evangelism.

Pray for

• the recruitment of students to study theology and return to Binga to evangelise their communities

• scholarships to support the students

• mission workers to be sent for the Ba Tonga people of Binga

• a mission station to be established for the Ba Tonga people Prayer Notes

29

29

130

131

Sports Friends

Day 29

In the same way, let your light

Communities where Christ is least known shine before others, that they

Hope and harvest

may see your good deeds and

glorify your Father in heaven.

Years ago in rural northern

matthew 5:16

Thailand, a couple encountered

Canada

UK

the God who created the

mountains they saw in the

USA

distance and they dedicated

Burkina

Faso

Niger

their lives to make Him known to

Senegal

Ethiopia

Southeast

Asia

their non-believing neighbours.

Ghana

Horn of Africa

Kenya

Nigeria

Thailand

There amidst the rice paddies and

Tanzania

orchards, they planted a church.

Peru

Malawi

That couple had a son, called

Nong, who is now pastor of the

church and deputy leader of the

village. One day, Pastor Nong noticed a group of teenage boys and wondered how he Vision

could communicate with them about Jesus effectively. Soon after, Nong crossed paths Our vision is to see a global movement of churches using sport to make disciples of with Sports Friends and was fascinated by the model of making disciples through Jesus Christ. We strive to:

sport. As Nong heard testimonies about the power of using sport to connect with

• Share a vision for local churches and church planters to use sport as a powerful youth, he became excited. He called the church elders together and they listened with ministry tool.

scepticism to his ‘crazy’ idea of chopping down the fruit trees in the church’s garden

• Train Christian leaders to develop fruitful, church-centred sports ministries that and creating a football field. They knew the trees were no longer very fruitful, but who make disciples of Jesus through sport.

had ever heard of building a football field to draw youth to Christ?

• Equip coaches for effective service by providing ongoing support and A couple of months later, that ‘crazy’ plan went into action. Believing men and encouragement to help them live, lead, minister and coach for the glory of God.

women arrived in the church garden with tools in their weathered hands and purpose Develop the leadership capacity of sports ministry coordinators, who will provide in their hope-driven hearts. They chopped down all of those old, dried-up fruit trees vision, guidance and management for the local sports ministry movement and and levelled the orchard to prepare the way for the Lord to meet with young people in develop coaches at the local church level.

a new way, hungry to see a new kind of fruit come forth on those garden grounds.

We stand in expectation with Pastor Nong and his small congregation of minority Ministry

believers, filled with hope that the God who began His work in this village decades ago In 19 countries, Sports Friends is passionately training and equipping local church will carry it on to completion.

leaders and church planters to extend the love of God into their communities through strategic sports ministries. Weekly sports programmes and ongoing disciple-making are complemented by the Sports Friends camping ministry.

Pray for

• Pastor Nong and his church as they share their land, their lives, and the saving love of Christ with the young people in their village Prayer Notes

• our Sports Friends teams as they continue to offer aid to those most adversely impacted by the pandemic and also train new coaches to minister to growing numbers of young people eager for fun, community and some return to normality

• our more than 13,000 trained coaches to be effective in making disciples of Christ 29

29

where He is least known

• almost 300,000 young people who are currently involved in ministries with a Sports Friends-trained coach

132

133

International Leadership & Services Day 30

Communities where Christ is least known

Children

Children are a precious gift from God, created in his image, gifted by Him and co-labourers in church and mission. We have the privilege and responsibility of caring for them, praying for their protection and safety, and helping them live life in fullness.

Sadly, half of all children are at risk from child labour, hunger, abandonment, abuse, trafficking and poverty.

Vulnerable children exist in communities everywhere, and are defined as those under 18 whose safety, well-being, and/or development is at significant risk due to inadequate care, protection or access to essential services. This includes orphans; inadequate adult support because of death, abandonment, economic distress, or For Christ’s love compels us, because we are chronic illness; have HIV or AIDS; are directly affected by armed conflict; live outside convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

family care; or are otherwise unsupported by traditional community safety nets.

2 CoRinthians 5:14

Covid-19 has caused millions more children to become vulnerable and at significant Vision

risk of increased poverty and food shortages; domestic violence and abuse; child The vision of SIM is to see a witness to Christ’s love where He is least known, disciples labour and early marriage; and human trafficking. Global disruptions to education and of Jesus expressing God’s love in their communities, and Christ-centred churches lockdown restrictions have not only affected children’s mental health but have caused among all peoples.

many to be forced into work, or child marriage, simply to survive. The psychological SIM’s purpose is:

impact of the pandemic is hitting children the hardest. God calls us to take action Convinced that no one should live and die without hearing God’s good news, we giving hope, peace, justice and joy.

believe that He has called us to make disciples of Jesus Christ in communities where Lausanne Children at Risk Infographic

•

He is least known.

https://lausanne.wpengine.com/content/children-at-risk-an-infographic

• https://hvc-tulane.org/about-hvc-rc/highly-vulnerable-children/

Ministry

The ministries of SIM International Leadership and Services clear barriers for those whom God is calling to serve cross-culturally. We achieve this by providing: Pray for

• Global leadership and training.

• the global church to expose, resist and take action against all abuse of children

• Cross-cultural people and ministry development in more than 70 countries.

• children orphaned by the pandemic; and those who have had to leave school to

• Worldwide personnel, financial and technical support to remote mission locations.

work and help their families

• Direction and planning for the expansion and long-term sustainability of SIM

• the church to take seriously mission to, for and with children priority ministries and projects.

• a Ministry Point Person to lead this ministry to at-risk children

• Communications and multilingual resources.

• unity, courage, wisdom, and discernment for the International Director and his leadership team members

• those suffering long-term impacts of Covid-19, especially those whose livelihoods Prayer Notes

have vanished

• those experiencing forms of injustice globally, whether based on race, ethnic origin, gender or other reasons

• effective people development, as we seek to be disciples who make disciples

• effective mentoring and disciple-making at all levels of leadership, and especially for 30

wisdom in encouraging SIM’s developing leaders 30

• good leadership and care for our teams, who do vital coordinating and support work in the areas of personnel, finance, projects, communications, archives, operations, administrative support, and information systems.

134

135

Regional Service Centres

Day 30

Each of SIM’s regional service centres offers vital support to SIM workers serving in a particular region. These strategic centres provide services in accounting and SASC — Southern Africa Service Centre

finance, health systems, human resources, project development, logistics, information technology and media. Specialised staff facilitate good practices and accountability for the countries they serve. With the service centres providing this critical assistance, existing ministries and new initiatives are able to thrive in their mission of proclaiming Christ to those who live and die without hearing God’s good news.

EARS – East Africa Regional Services

Angola

Malawi

Zambia

Zimbabwe Mazambique

Madagascar

Mauritius

Sudan

Namibia

Eritrea

Botswana

Reunion

Djibouti

South

Ethiopia

Sudan

Somalia

Serving: Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda

Reunion, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Kenya

Rwanda

Burundi

Tanzania

Pray for

• the services to be a testimony in the quality of their work, as they support the countries in the region in reaching those living and dying without Christ

• those working in the service centre to serve Him faithfully and grow in Him daily Serving: East African Sending Office, Eritrea, Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan, and Tanzania Pray for

• continued wisdom and discernment as we work to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our services so that our workers can reach those areas where He is least known

• our team to continue to grow in their discipleship and spiritual maturity Prayer Notes

Prayer Notes

30

30

136

137

Faithful Witness

Day 30

Communities where Christ is least known

Ayutthaya, Thailand, is an important centre of Buddhist worship. Only 0.01% of its people

know Jesus. Ask for spiritual protection of the Faithful Witness team. May they experience

joy and fruitfulness as they build relationships with youth.

In one Asian region of 70 million people,

less than 0.1% know the one true God.

Politically, this land can be hostile to the gospel message and to minority groups. Pray for deep relationships to grow among believers. Ask for God’s clear guidance and wisdom as Christians love and serve their community.

In the Middle East, a team is being established in a large, neglected community with

‘“Everyone who calls on the

little Christian witness but great spiritual need. Living in a land of political oppression name of the Lord will be saved.”

and economic mismanagement, people are without hope.

How can they believe in Him

Malian Christian converts are few and may suffer isolation and hardship. Pray for the when they have not heard? How

Moor people, among the poorest in the world. Ask wisdom as workers seek how best to can they hear if there is no one

serve and respond to physical and spiritual need.

proclaiming Him?’

Praise God for workers and their families living among the Fulani people group in Romans 10:13-14.

two locations in northern Nigeria. May their unity in Christ be a living, transforming Vision

witness of Jesus.

Faithful Witness in Forgotten Communities is an SIM initiative designed to facilitate Chad has less Christians than any other African nation. Living amid instability, ministry in places where there is no gospel witness or where that witness needs human need, and chronic lack of food and water, ask for protection of the diverse strengthening. Faithful Witness is helping fund workers from diverse contexts, so they mission team, and fruit as the good news of Jesus is shared.

can go to new locations. The programme also provides training and mobilises a broad prayer network. Our vision is to build multi-cultural, multi-skilled teams who will, by prayer, help the gospel message take root in these communities. We have launched Pray for

teams in the Middle East, eastern Chad, Mali, northern Nigeria, Thailand, North Africa,

• the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-20) would not impeded the gospel. May faithful witnesses stand strong in the Lord as they fearlessly make Asia, and East Asia.

known the mystery of the gospel

• more workers (Luke 10:2)

Prayer Notes

• united teams of faithful witnesses to bring many to believe in Jesus (John 17:20-21)

• us to stay in step with Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit and guided by God’s word 30

30

138

139

SIM Worldwide

Day 31

Equippers for the harvest

Partners for the harvest

Lord, we pray that:

Lord, we thank you for:

• Bible training campuses and programmes will nurture students in a lifelong

• The many who sacrificially release their children and grandchildren to you for commitment to being and making disciples and will maintain a biblical, mission-kingdom service, their finances to support those who go and their time to faithfully integrated worldview.

pray for SIM workers and ministries. Prosper them. Fill them with the joy of the

• Pastors will cultivate a passion for the gospel, locally and globally, in their harvest!

congregations. Bless these shepherds with spiritual refreshment and empowerment

• Christ-centred churches with a vision to fulfil your mission across cultures, locally in ministry.

and globally, extending your church to the ends of the earth.

• SIM workers will offer godly encouragement and counsel as people consider and prepare for cross-cultural gospel ministry.

Workers for the harvest

Lord of the harvest, we pray:

• That you will call and send workers from the global church to form flourishing, multi-ethnic and multi-skilled SIM teams who will proclaim your good news to those who live and die without it.

• That these workers’ children will wholeheartedly follow Jesus. Develop in them resilience in the face of multiple farewells, cultural adaptations, physical and spiritual stresses and re-entry to their passport countries.

• For all our SIM teams to thrive in their relationships with you and with each other and to grow in ministry competency and effectiveness, well-being and resilience.

Prayer Notes

31

31

140

141

Prayer for Renewal

Day 31

• Lord, we offer ourselves to you.

• Teach our tongues to strengthen others.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.

To know the word that sustains the weary.

Romans 12:1

isaiah 50:4a

Forgive us when we hold back parts of ourselves.

Forgive us when our words tear down and discourage others.

Help us to consecrate every part of our beings to you.

Help us to speak words that refresh, encourage, and build up one another.

• Renew our minds.

• Waken our ears to receive your instructions.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of He wakens me morning by morning,

your mind.

wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

Romans 12:2a

The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears.

Forgive us for polluting our minds with the world’s values.

isaiah 50:4b, 5a

Help us to saturate our minds with your word and your wisdom.

Forgive us when our ears are attuned to Satan’s whispers and our own voices of self-pity.

• Align our wills with your will.

Help us to daily discern and follow the voice of your Spirit.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing, and

• Establish the work of our hands.

perfect will.

May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; Romans 12:2b

establish the work of our hands for us —

Forgive us for asserting our own will and our own rights.

yes, establish the work of our hands.

Help us to understand, affirm, and joyfully carry out your will.

psalm 90:17

• Give us hearts that overflow with thanksgiving.

Forgive us when our hands are negligent.

Help us do careful, quality work for your kingdom.

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Direct our feet on the gospel path.

EphEsians 5:19b-20.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, Forgive us when our hearts are choked with bitterness and pride.

who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, Help us to praise you with heartfelt songs and thanksgiving.

who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

isaiah 52:7

• Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Forgive us when we sit at home and keep the gospel to ourselves.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, Help us to go out and proclaim the good news as you lead us.

the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

h

• Lord, may we honour you with our bodies!

EbREws 12:1b-2a.

Forgive us for fixing our eyes on ourselves, and on the “giants in the land”.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, Help us to focus on the wonderful person and saving work of Jesus.

whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your bodies.

1 CoRinthians 6:19-20

Forgive us when our actions and attitudes bring dishonour to your name.

Help us honour you with every member of our bodies and every aspect of our beings!

31

In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

31

142

143

Day 31

Partnerships

Additional countries where SIM workers serve Burundi

Cameroon

Working with Serge Medical Team, we

Please pray for wisdom for the board and

are training medical professionals and

general directorate in all the decisions

students. We ask for prayer that our

they have to make. Please also pray that

teaching would be blessed - that those

churches and communities embrace the

we teach would gain not only medical

vision of CABTAL and get fully involved

knowledge but also how to love and care

in the translation and development

for patients with the love of Christ.

projects.

Central Asia

Eurasia

Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send

Please pray for our health because we are

workers to Central Asia who are humble,

living in a place with a very harsh climate.

teachable and love both God and people.

May the Lord keep us both in good health

Pray for relationships with local leaders

to serve him. Please pray for good work

as we explore suitable opportunities to

and a good communion in the Bible’s

serve with them. Pray the Central Asian

translation team.

Christians would continue to take the

Papua New Guinea

gospel to other parts of the world. Pray

PNG is poorly developed with many

for theological resources to become

health issues. People have turned to

accessible to local leaders.

Christ and churches are widespread, but

Chad

they struggle with false teaching and

Pray for the Mobi people who originally

tribalism. Pray for more training of church come from the Mangalme area. Pray they

leaders, who can bring unity and holistic

would hear the good news and know the

growth to communities.

love of Christ. Pray for the growing number Uganda of new SIM workers serving in many

We work at Kampala Evangelical School of

different ministries across Chad. Pray for

Theology (KEST) and Emmanuel Children’s

perseverance and hope in hardship. Pray

Outreach (ECO) in Uganda. Our main

for local leaders wherever SIM works that

prayer request is that we will be able to

they be blessed with wisdom and strength.

return to those ministries. Fridah can’t

They deal with most conflicts in families,

leave the US until her Green Card is

villages and tribes.

approved. The pandemic has closed the

Colombia

Uganda borders as well as KEST and ECO.

31 Pray that those who are hearing God’s call Pray for safety for AIM AIR, partners in

to serve in mission will be bold to respond Uganda, as they fly throughout East Africa and that their churches will be too.

serving various ministries.

144

Document Outline

- Prayer Calendar

- SIM Core Values

- Angola

- Australia

- Bangladesh

- Benin

- Bolivia

- Botswana

- Burkina Faso

- Canada

- Chile

- Côte d’Ivoire

- East African Office

- East Asia

- Ecuador

- Eritrea

- Ethiopia

- France

- Germany

- Ghana

- Guinea

- India

- Indonesia

- Japan

- Kenya

- Korea

- Latin America

- Liberia

- Madagascar

- Malawi

- Mali

- Mascarene Islands

- Middle East

- Mongolia

- Mozambique

- Myanmar

- Namibia

- Nepal

- New Zealand

- Niger

- Nigeria

- North Africa

- Pakistan

- Paraguay

- Peru

- Philippines

- Senegal

- South Africa

- South Sudan and Sudan

- Sri Lanka

- Switzerland

- Tanzania

- Thailand

- Togo

- United Kingdom

- United States

- Uruguay

- Vietnam

- WAMO West Africa Missions Office

- West Malaysia

- Zambia

- Zimbabwe

- Sports Friends

- International Leadership & Services

- Regional Service Centres

- Faithful Witness

- SIM Worldwide

- Prayer for Renewal

- Partnerships

Table of Contents

Prayer Calendar

SIM Core Values

Angola

Australia

Bangladesh

Benin

Bolivia

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Canada

Chile

Côte d’Ivoire

East African Office

East Asia

Ecuador

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