MAP Stories: Ministry in West Africa

The Texas Baptists Missionary Adoption Program (MAP) supports 10 missionaries through the Baptist Convention in their West African home country. For security reasons, the name of the country will not be disclosed. 

Ten MAP missionaries and 67 of their brothers in Christ were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that has spread across the globe. Their churches, cities and country were shut down due to the pandemic. The country was closed for months, causing a dire need for food among the pastors and their congregations.   

“During the start of this coronavirus pandemic, the government...closed down the churches nationwide, and a state of emergency was declared. A district lockdown was imposed. Because of this, there were economic hardships and the standard of living was very hard. This also affected the church members and the pastor. No offerings and tithes were forthcoming for the past three months, so that made life become unbearable,” Pastor Lorima of West Africa explained.

Through the contributions of Texas Baptists churches, financial relief was provided to 77 pastors in West Africa. A large bag of rice, approximately 110 pounds, was distributed to each pastor and his family.

Because of the travel restrictions in their country, even going to the market for food was hard, but through the convention, God was able to answer their needs. This simple gift was provided to these pastors when their families and churches needed them most. 

Pastor Daniel, another recipient who oversees several churches in his area said, “The relief of rice to the pastor brought smiles and joy to the pastor and membership of the church during this three months lockdown of the churches. Our thanks and appreciation go to the Baptist General Convention of Texas.”

Thank you for your continued support, which allows us to generously support our partners in missions and ministry on the field. Continue to pray for these pastors and MAP missionaries as they serve their congregation amidst a healing country. 

Eight West African pastors are in need of a church or individual to partner with through MAP. The MAP program offers a unique opportunity to directly partner with and support a missionary in West Africa who already knows the language and culture of the people, because he is one of the people. It also gives your church a chance to communicate directly with someone on the mission field and a partner in mission work and prayer.

For more information about the Missionary Adoption Program and how your church can get involved, contact David Miranda at David.Miranda@txb.org.