Mali is one of the countries in western region of Africa. It is a country having borders with seven other nations. To her northern part is Algeria, to the eastern part is Niger, to the western part is Mauritania, and to the Southern side are Burkina Faso, Cote d’ Ivoire, Guinea and Senegal.
Bamako is the capital city of Mali. Apart from the capital city, other cities include Gao, Goundam, Timbuktu, Naifunke, Severe, Menaka, Dire, Mopti, Segou etc. The country is sparsely inhabited. It has a population of about 13 million with over 80% living in the rural areas. The capital city, Bamako has a population of almost 500,000.
Larger percentage of Malians are illiterates, while Bambara is the lingua franca for commerce and Government in the country but Kagoro people still speak their own Kagoro language. The country depends on grains (sorghum, millet, rice and maize) livestock, and fish for her food and principal exports. Smoked and dried fish from inland Delta processed at Mopti, have become major exports. Mali also exports gold. Ironically, Mali remains one of the 10 poorest nations in the world.
With over thirteen (13) million people population, about 90% of them are Muslims 9% of them are into African Traditional Religion while only 1% of the people are Christians.
Between 1925 and 1935 the Christian and Missionary Alliance undertook a mission work in the area of Gao and Tombouctou (Timbuktu). In 1950, The Alliance turned their work over to Evangelical Baptist Mission.
In 1982 after hearing of a development project conducted by the Southern Baptists in Burkina Faso, Mali’s Ambassador to the United States of America requested the Southern Baptists to extend her mission work to the country. In October 2002, the International Missions Board of the Southern Baptist extended an invitation to the Global Missions Board of the Nigerian Baptist Convention for a partnership programme in reaching the Malians for Christ.
In 2002, a team of Nigerian Baptist Pastors went for survey and in 2005, a missionary couple, Rev. & Mrs. T. L. Oyelude were sent as pioneer missionaries to the place. As at today, 5 Churches have been planted to God’s glory! We have also sent Pastor & Mrs. Moses Awolola to Bamako, to grow the Church planted there; Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Audi, to work among the Fulanis in Severe.
We hope to serve as catalyst for Kingdom growth through discipleship training and leadership empowerment programme by working with the Holy Spirit to mobilize Christians all over the world for the evangelization of Republic of Mali in order to reach the over 12 million Malians for Christ Jesus and for God’s eternal Kingdom.
People Groups on Focus: Bambara, Dogon, Fulani, Koli
Field Mandates
- Organizing different outreach programmes (Film, medical, witnessing, crusade etc), at least 2 in a month.
- Establishment of regular Discipleship programmes and literacy classes in all the planted Churches.
- Planting of 3 model International Churches in at least 3 cities (Bamako, Segou and Sikasso)
- Training of four indigenes in any of our Theological Institutions at BTh/M Div level
- Starting of Discipleship and School of Missions to train indigenous church leaders and church planters.
- Partnering with the indigenous Baptist Body for intensive mission work in Mali
- Social Ministries such as literacy and medical outreaches.
Challenges
- The Republic of Mali is indeed ready for Intensive Mission Work. The people are receptive to the Gospel.
- The few Churches that are in Mali are concentrated in the capital city, Bamako, we need more churches in the rural areas and this requires more missionaries. Also, the few Churches in the land are of two categories, the catholic Churches who are very conservative and the protestant Churches; they are of the Pentecostal setting.
- The unity of these few Churches in Bamako is very low. This is negatively affecting the evangelical push the Churches supposed to have.
- It was observed that, majority of the indigenous converts are from the low academic and economic status. This is causing an inferiority complex as regard their relationship with the people of high status.
- The cost of living in Bamako is almost three times that of Nigeria. This is probably due to the high cost of fuel in the nation.
- Republic of Mali is an Islamic nation; however, she is not a Sharia nation. It was discovered that the capital city, Bamako is very receptive to other religion compared to other cities in the northern part of the nation.
How you can be involved:
- Prayer support for the missionary couple for success on the field. They need God’s presence to guide, sustain, empower, support, protect and keep the missionary couples/missionary pastors faithful and blameless to the end. Let us also Pray for unity among the Christian minority. Also, they need the grace to preach the gospel with wisdom and simplicity.
- We look forward to having you join our Short-term mission works and trips.
- We need financial support for the training of indigenous Pastors
- We also need your support for the provision of evangelism equipment such as Electronic Key Board, Guitars, Drum Sets, Digital camera, multi-media projector, mobility and many more.
