This week we’re praying for Alan and Beth Locke, International Mission Board missionaries serving in Africa — specifically in the nation of Ghana, located in West Africa. Their ministry is a little unusual. Across Ghana, many churches have been planted over the years. Unfortunately, many of those churches preach a prosperity gospel that encourages people to become Christians simply so that they may become rich. Some groups call themselves churches, even though they’ve essentially made up their own theology. Many members of these churches have never seen the Bible, much less read it. Alan often visits these groups, teaches them what the Bible really says and how they can truly be saved. He then disciples them in Bible-based Christian faith. He tries to shift their perspective from earthly riches, to heavenly ones.
This week we’re praying for the Berber, Shawiya in Algeria. After a bitter war, Algeria gained its independence from France and instituted a socialist government. However, independence and the political system that followed have failed dismally. Since independence, the government has zealously encouraged the formation of an Islamic Arab state. Although they accepted Islam as a new religion, the Berber also maintained their pre-Islamic cultural and ritual traditions. The acceptance of Islam and the adoption of Arabic ways never completely erased Berber culture. Although they are nominally Sunni Muslims, most Shawiya have little knowledge of the practices of the Koran and other dimensions of Middle Eastern Islam. Please pray that they will hear about a saving, personal relationship with the One True God, Jesus Christ. To learn more about Unreached People Groups, please visit joshuaproject.net