Mauritania is a West African nation where Arab, Berber and sub-Saharan African cultures meet. Mauritania was once a key area on the trans-Saharan trade routes. It was through this trade route that Islam became the main religion in the 8th century. Christianity, by contrast, has rarely had any opportunity to enter the region. Today, Islam is deeply entwined with every part of Mauritanian society, and public expressions of any other faith are against the law.
Even in these difficult circumstances, a small but growing number of Mauritanians have come to faith in Jesus Christ. In recent decades, they have heard the gospel through radio broadcasts, satellite television or personal encounters with Christians from other countries. However, these new Mauritanian believers face extreme persecution, including violence, imprisonment and exclusion from their communities.
Many of them have taken part in multiple discipleship courses, and now their vision is expanding. They are not content simply to receive the gospel – they want to share it with their people. And they want to do it through media. They have asked us to train them in media skills, evangelism and discipleship.
But this work is not without cost. Recently, one of the men from this group was tragically killed. His death is a sobering reminder of the dangers Mauritanian Christians face every day. Yet, even in grief, the determination of this group has only grown stronger. They want to honour Christ and use their voices to reach their people.
For the Church to grow in Mauritania, it must be led by Mauritanians rather than foreign missionaries. Mauritanian believers already understand the culture, speak the heart languages (Hassaniya Arabic, Pulaar, Soninke, and Wolof), and have relationships with their local communities. Foreign missionaries, on the other hand, are immediately viewed with suspicion if they try to enter Mauritania to share the gospel. Our role is to walk with these new believers, to encourage and equip them through training and fellowship. We are believing for more Mauritanians to be drawn to Jesus.
Please pray for:
- Protection for Mauritanian believers from persecution, both physically and emotionally.
- Wisdom, boldness and supernatural discernment for leaders in the Mauritanian Church.
- The training we give the team, that it can take place despite safety fears.
- The media team that we help build to be led by the Spirit as they produce and distribute Christian content in Mauritanian languages.
- Transformed hearts for those who hear the gospel through digital platforms (short videos, podcasts, radio or social media).
- Quiet yet powerful growth of the Mauritanian Church.