Christian Work Continues Amid Civil War

Although Mali is being ravaged by civil war, VOM's ministry work continues to provide much-needed shelter and other important necessities to believers in the southern part of the country. Several safe houses in the region continue to shelter groups of Christian converts who were forced to flee their communities due to serious life-endangering threats made by members of their own Muslim families.

When they fled from Islamist militants in the north, most left their possessions behind, including their Bibles. Thanks to the compassionate response of ministry friends like you, VOM workers have been able to provide several of them with new Bibles. As a result, these believers are not only able to cultivate nearby farmland for physical sustenance, they are now also equipped with the spiritual tools required to grow in their faith through daily prayer times, group classes and individual Bible study.

Pray for God's continued provision and protection, as these believers seek to grow and become strengthened in their faith. As they do, may they cultivate a spirit of unity, love and faithfulness, providing a vibrant witness to others of His wonderful work in their lives and relationships. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

  • Country Information

    Mali map & flagPopulation
    21,359,722 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Bambara (33.3), Fulani (Peul) (13.3), Sarakole/Soninke/Marka (9.8), Senufo/Manianka (9.6), Malinke (8.8), Dogon (8.7), Sonrai (5.9), Bobo (2.1), Tuareg/Bella (1.7), other Malian (6), from member of Economic Community of West African States (0.4%), other (0.3)
    (2018)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (93.9), Christian (2.8), Animist (0.7), none (2.5) (2018)

    Leader
    Transittional President Assimi Goita (2021)

    Government type
    Semi-presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Mali

    Ask the Lord of the harvest to send people to boldly share the gospel with the largely Muslim population. Pray the existing churches will remain faithful, never giving in to the pressure of those who oppose them. Pray that the church will display the light of Christ amid jihadist activity.

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Mali News

  • Missionary Executed in Captivity
    Beatrice Stockli - Photo: World Watch Monitor
    Beatrice Stockli
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    In January 2016, Beatrice Stockli was kidnapped in Timbuktu. The militant group, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has claimed responsibility, stating that Beatrice had "declared war against Islam in her attempt to Christianize Muslims" (read more). Six months after her arrest, and again a year later, videos were released showing that she was alive.

    Read more...

  • Raid of Three Villages Results in Tragic Loss
    Destruction of a church building - Photo: Barnabas Fund www.barnabasfund.org
    Photo: Barnabas Fund

    Suspected Fulani militants killed twenty-seven people in three predominantly Christian villages of Central Mali. The village of Tillé was raided on May 26th, resulting in the deaths of seven, some of them burned alive. Over the next 24 hours, the attackers moved on to the villages of Bankass and Koro, killing another twenty villagers.

    Read more...

  • Militants Attack Churches in Northern Regions
    Niger River

    In late September and early October, at least three churches in the Mopti region have received "visits" from jihadists. In Dobara, the militants smashed their way into a church from which they removed crosses and furnishings that were later piled up outside and burned. In Bodwal, members of the same extremist group drove worshipping believers out of their church, warning them that if they ever returned to ring the bells or pray, they would be killed.

    Read more...

  • Kidnapped Missionaries Appear in Video
    Boats in Mali

    On July 1st, a coalition of jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda released a video showing six foreign hostages, including three missionaries, just hours before France president Emmanuel Macron made his most recent visit to Mali, offering help in support of the African nation's anti-terrorist efforts in the Sahel region. The three missionaries who appeared in the video are from Colombia, Australia and Switzerland.

    Read more...

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