Children's Ministry Around the World - Côte d’Ivoire, Africa

With Christmas drawing near, I thought it might be helpful to take a look at what Children's Ministry looks like around the world. It is so easy for us to focus upon our families and our ministries and not stop to see how blessed we are and how we need to pray for and help as we are able, those around the world.

So today - and each day until I work through my list of countries - I will take you with me on a little "visit" to see what Children's Ministry - and life - is like in a different place around the world - beginning today in Côte d’Ivoire,  Africa.

Côte d’Ivoire, or, the Ivory Coast, is a country of 20.8 million people in West Africa (World Population Review). It has been known by other names through the years; Slave Coast, Gold Coast and Grain Coast; these names, like Ivory Coast, reflected the main trade of the country (Wiki). Today Côte d’Ivoire produces coffee, palm oil, gold and is the world's leading cocoa producer (CIA).

According to Wiki; Christians and Muslims account for 35 to 40% of the population, while an estimated 25% practice traditional religions. There are a growing number of churches in Côte d’Ivoire, especially in the southern half of the country, which are beginning to focus on missions by sending missionaries to other countries (cmalliance.org). There is also a focus on planting churches in Western and Northern Côte d’Ivoire, which are typically Muslim areas. Churches in Côte d’Ivoire do have Sunday school and focus on bringing the Gospel of Jesus to people who have not heard the Good News (umcmission.org).

Ministry to children in Côte d’Ivoire is not without its challenges. It is estimated 42% to 64% of the people live in poverty with the numbers of street children growing. In addition; “The Ivory Coast is the country most affected by AIDS in West Africa: 10% of individuals in Africa who are infected by this pandemic live in the Ivory Coast. UNAIDS statistics reveal more than 400,000 children in the Ivory Coast are orphans as a result of this disease. Around 16,000 children contract the virus every year; only a minority will have access to treatment.” Since school is neither free nor mandatory, only 62% of children attend school (humanium.org). One third of children work; many on cocoa plantations where less than 1% of them are even paid and additional children are child soldiers who are: recruited by armed groups and serve as cooks, porters, spies, messengers, sex slaves and human mine detectors (UNICEF). To help reach the children and families who are dealing with these things, planting churches, offering Sunday school, literacy programs, food, housing and medical care are all ways to connect with and help children and families in need (umcmission.org).

As you think about Côte d’Ivoire, where 32% of the people are unreached (OperationWorld), please pray for –.

• God to draw believers to Him.
• People to help children who are in dangerous places and point them to Jesus.
• Laborers to go and serve children who are isolated and in need.
• Children to see God is real, He loves them and they can know Him!
• Wisdom to know where to plant churches.
• The Côte d’Ivoire church to grow and be able to be a light to their communities!

Côte d’Ivoire is a beautiful country with children and families who need to know God loves them! While you may not be able to travel to Côte d’Ivoire to serve the church, you can pray and, “When a believing person prays, great things happen.” (James 5:16 NCV) Let’s pray and trust God for great things in Côte d’Ivoire!