By Emily Brantley, Lifeword

Located in West Africa, Burkina Faso is a primarily Muslim country that is known for its political instability and the ongoing presence of Islamic militant groups. Though the country’s constitution declares that individuals have the right to religious freedom in Burkina Faso, terrorist groups have been known to target places of worship and religious leaders in the country. Christian persecution is a very real and dangerous reality that believers in Burkina Faso face.

Living in the capital city of Ouagadougou, Lifeword partner Emmanuel Nacoulma has dedicated his life to sharing the hope and gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost in Burkina Faso. Along with producing internet broadcasts to share the gospel in his country, Bro. Emmanuel regularly travels outside of his city into rural areas to interact with and learn about the cultures of the 60+ different ethnic groups that are found in Burkina Faso. Living conditions in these rural areas are challenging. The Burkinabé people face little to no access to education of any level, and 88% of rural communities lack sanitation.

The Muslim populations in these rural areas are very strict, and individuals live with the threat of being disowned by their families and even physical harm if they convert to Christianity. This was the case for one Muslim couple that Bro. Emmanuel met on one of his trips.

The couple came from a devout Muslim family. After meeting Bro. Emmanuel and hearing the gospel of Jesus from him, both husband and wife became believers. When their families heard of their conversion to Christianity, they disowned them and even came and burned down their home, destroying all of their possessions. The couple was devastated. Being from a poor, rural community, they had no idea how they would survive. 

But through the devastation, uncertainty, and loss, they remained faithful to the Lord above all. They continued to give Him praise and glory and grow in Him daily. 

Through Bro. Emmanuel, Jesus Christ radically changed their lives and gave them the hope, grace, truth, and faith they needed to persevere through the persecution and danger they would face. Now, they are sharing their story with other Muslims and showing them how Jesus can save and change them.Would you pray with us for our Lifeword partners around the world? They all have similar stories of how the Lord is changing lives and saving the lost in their countries through their ministries. Praise the Lord for His saving grace and transformative power!