Children's Ministry Around the World - Chad, Africa

As we continue to look at Children's Ministry and the lives of children from around the world, today we "journey" to Chad, Africa.

Chad has been ripped apart by civil war leaving 80% of the population living below the poverty line. Medical care and services are greatly lacking in this Central African nation, and with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, the Republic of Chad has the fifth highest death rate in the world (Prayercast). Chad is a country of 13.2 million people and is one of the poorest countries on earth (World Population Review).

Life in Chad is very difficult. The government is extremely corrupt and has been named as the second most corrupt country in the world (Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index). According to the 2011 U.N. Human Development Index, Chad is the fifth-least developed country in the world and has the fourth-highest child mortality rate in the world. Chad is a source, transit, and destination country for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking (CIA World Factbook).

In Chad, although school attendance is compulsory, only 68 percent of boys attend primary school, and more than half of the population is illiterate (Wiki).

The Muslim group which controls the majority of the government currently supports religious freedom; the latest survey showed, 54% of Chadians were Muslim, 20% Roman Catholic, 14% Protestant, 10% animist and 3% didn't profess a religion (UN Commission on Human Rights). Chad is one of the few Muslim nations which welcome missionaries and many Muslims are craving to hear the Good News. However, in the past thirty years Islam has increased, as have concerns religious freedoms may disappear. Bible storytelling has proven effective around the nation, and many unreached people are hearing the Gospel for the first time as a result of both indigenous and expatriate missionary efforts. Chad has more unreached people living within its borders than any other African country (Prayercast). Since so many children in Chad are uneducated and are subject to abuse, child marriages, child labor, trafficking, being forced into being soldiers and end up on the streets, ministry to children is much more difficult. However; groups which provide food, medical care, resources like mosquito nets, clean water and child sponsorship are able to share the Good News with children. In addition, ministries which reach parents by providing these same things and opportunities for women to learn skills also are able to impact children (WorldVision).

As you think about Chad, with 51% of the people unreached, please pray for –.

• God to draw believers to Him.
• For children to have better access to the basics of life like clean water, healthcare, and education.
• Laborers to go and serve children who are in need.
• Children to see God is real, He loves them and they can know Him!
• Those who minister to and with adults so they will also be able to serve children.
• The church in Chad to grow and be able to be a light to their communities!

Chad is a beautiful country with children and families who need to know God loves them! While you may not be able to travel to Chad 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 Chad!