By Prayer is SIM’s motto because it is truly by prayer that we praise God, seek his direction, request resources, and call upon the Holy Spirit to empower our ministries. By Prayer is a call to action, emphasizing important work to be done. We must intercede for those living outside a saving relationship with Jesus, many of whom have never heard his name. Will you join us by praying these prayers every month?
Too valuable to lose
Sent by his church in India, Yazid was one the first members of the Faithful Witness team to arrive in Kayes, Mali in 2019. Now, after five years of adapting to the West African context and learning three languages, he has become the Faithful Witness team leader. He shepherds a diverse team of South Asians and West Africans developing vital ministry among the Hassaniya people, a community that otherwise would have no access to the gospel. Yazid’s pioneer leadership in Mali has become too valuable to lose.
Kayes, located in western Mali near the borders of Mauritania and Senegal, is a region characterized by its harsh living conditions and remote location. Home to four major people groups—the Hassaniya, Soninke, Bambara, and Fulani—the area has historically been difficult to access, with travel once limited to unpaved roads. The primary religion in Kayes is folk Islam, a blend of traditional animism and Islam. Less than one percent of the 2.8 million people in the region identify as Christian. Among the Hassaniya people specifically, the number of known believers can be counted on one hand.