Romans 8:28 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God has called us to our knees in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Niger. Since the military-led coup on July 26th, headlines from Niger have been dominated by risks of war, widespread protests, and economic crisis. As coup leaders moved troops to the country’s capital, many areas were left vulnerable to an upswing in violent terrorist attacks. Banks have shut down, prices have soared, and many of our friends in Niger have struggled to secure food and clean water.

The need is great, but the circumstance also presents itself as a great opportunity for us to rise up in response. The City for the Nations Board members were moved with compassion by the reports from Niger. They responded with a match challenge of $13,400. Our hope is to match the board’s gifts and raise $26,800 by October 13th. These funds are significantly needed to help the work of our partners in Niger respond to the current crisis and launch the One Village One Church vision at the beginning of 2024.

The Church of Niger Responding: 

Our brothers and sisters in Niger report that these circumstances have brought them to their knees in prayer and into closer unity in Christ. Local churches, denominations and mission groups in Niger have been fasting and praying together for the peace and salvation of the nation. As a result, we are already seeing God take these circumstances and use them for good in the cause of the gospel. 

At the beginning of 2023, City for the Nations completed our first phase, engaging every one of Niger’s unengaged people groups, and began to move into our second phase: launching a nationwide movement to plant a church in every village of the nation. The end goal is to saturate Niger with the gospel, seeing the church thrive in every people group and in every place. We hope to see the Great Commission finished in Niger by 2029. The Church of Niger named this historic movement One Village One Church. Our partners held organizational meetings and established leadership teams in all eight of the regions/states of Niger. Rather than hindering the growth and unity of this nationwide movement, the difficulties now being experienced are actually strengthening the bonds of unity and deepening the resolve of the Church in Niger to launch One Village One Church in 2024.

We are also receiving reports of new areas opening up that have been entirely closed to travel and the gospel. One area where the Mossi people live was shrouded in such persistent violence that no church planter could make their way there. After the coup, however, a peace was negotiated and now our church planters, Abel and Amadu, are traveling to and proclaiming the gospel in this new area. 

Furthermore, despite the banks being closed, we have been able to get funds into Niger and send extra to help purchase bags of rice for aid. Our team working with the Yerwa Kanuri people group responded, “We bless the Lord for the food assistance we received and it came at the right time because the border closures caused the price of food to increase.” Our teams have been able to use these resources to strategically help feed families and children needing assistance. 

Reports are coming in that the Church of Niger continues to unite, bring new people to Christ, take the gospel to new villages, and distribute aid to the needy. We are praising God for how He is miraculously intervening and moving in and through the Church of Niger. 

Your Opportunity: 

God is working in Niger. City for the Nations is going to be a part of what He is doing there. We want you to be a part of it as well.

Would you prayerfully consider what you can give to help us take full advantage of this gift? God is doing amazing things and we have a unique opportunity to partner together in what He is doing in Niger to reach the nation!

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have, I would be happy to speak with you. 

You can sign up for prayer updates using our new intercessor form here: https://www.cityforthenations.com/upmrichmond 

For the Kingdom, 

James