Sierra Leone
July 22nd

“Sierra Leone, ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name!”

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.(1 Chronicles 16:29, NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Africa
Population | 8.69 million
Area | 71,740㎢, Located on the west coast of Africa between Guinea and Liberia.
Capital City | Freetown (1.3 million people)
People Groups | Total 28 groups, Mende 30.7%, Temne 23.3%, Krio (Creole) 10.3%, Limba 6.6%, Kuranko 5.3%, Kono 4%, Fulbe 3.5%, Loko 2.6%, Sherbro 2.6%
Unreached People Groups | 10 (17.3% of the population)
Official Language(s) | English (official), Creole
Total Languages | 25
Bible Translations | Completed 13, New testament 8, Partial 2
Religion | Christianity 21.9% (Protestant 6.9%, Catholic 8.2%, Pentecostal and Independent Church 5.3%, Other 1.5%), Muslim 77.1%, Ethnic Religions 1% Evangelical 5% 430,000 people

》 About Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has been inhabited by various ethnic groups since ancient times, with several kingdoms existing in the region. It was discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century and became known to European society, becoming a center for the slave trade. In the late 18th century, the United Kingdom established Freetown as a settlement for freed black slaves, and former slaves from the United States and Canada also migrated, forming a new society. The United Kingdom gradually expanded its control over the interior regions and ruled Sierra Leone, making it an official colony in 1808. After gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, Sierra Leone experienced political instability and corruption, leading to social unrest and conflicts during its transition. Eventually, a civil war broke out in 1991 due to an armed rebellion, and the entire social infrastructure collapsed. This civil war, particularly over control of diamond mines, was brutal and marked by violence and human rights abuses. ‘Blood diamonds’ were mined in these war zones and sold to finance warlords. In 2002, with the intervention of the UN and the international community, the “Lomé Peace Agreement” was signed, officially declaring the end of the civil war. Since then, Sierra Leone has been working to restore political stability, democracy, and receive international support, but the country still faces controversies surrounding corruption, as well as the severe aftermath of the civil war, with ongoing social tensions, instability, and economic difficulties. Currently, President Julius Maada Bio, who succeeded in re-election in 2023, has been in power since 2018.

The economy is primarily based on agriculture and mining. The country is rich in natural resources, holding significant deposits of diamonds, gold, titanium, iron ore, as well as coffee, cocoa, and fisheries. However, the civil war destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure, and reconstruction is urgently needed. While most of the population works in agriculture, productivity remains low due to the war and natural disasters, and many people live in poverty. Mining plays a crucial role in the economy, but there are issues with management and transparency. The Ebola outbreak in 2014-2015 caused economic growth to drop to nearly 0%, severely impacting all sectors of economic activity. Unemployment stands at 80%, and the literacy rate is as low as 57%.
Sierra Leone’s GDP per capita is approximately $600.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Sierra Leone has a 240-year Christian history, yet the Muslim population now surpasses that of Christians, and many churches are influenced by African traditional religions and witchcraft practices. Additionally, as a financially struggling nation, churches often lack resources and trained spiritual leaders, making it difficult to sustain their ministries.
Let us pray that God will provide opportunities for pastors and leaders to be educated and trained in the Word so they may discern the truth and serve the church faithfully. May the church in Sierra Leone be cleansed of syncretism, removing all influences of traditional religions and witchcraft, and restore true reverence and holiness, bringing glory to the Lord.

2. The entire nation of Sierra Leone continues to suffer from physical and emotional trauma caused by the long civil war. There is an urgent need for healing and restoration in mental health, economic stability, and education. Many missionaries and missionary organizations had previously withdrawn due to the war but have now returned to continue their work. Key organizations include Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI), World UFM Mission, the Lutheran Bible Translation Association, the Methodist Church, and Assemblies of God (AoG). Additionally, NGOs such as Tearfund, World Vision International (WVI), World Relief, and Save the Children are providing humanitarian aid to meet the people’s needs.
Let us pray that Christ’s love will flow abundantly through these efforts, bringing hope and healing to those who have lost everything. May the mercy and forgiveness found in the gospel of the cross reach the people of Sierra Leone, transforming a land once stained with suffering into a holy nation that worships God.

3. The Mende, Temne, Fulajalon, Susu, and Maninka peoples in Sierra Leone are predominantly Muslim. Let us pray that God will send workers to share the gospel with them so that they will realize that all other gods are false, turn to the one true God, and give glory to His name. Meanwhile, ethnic groups such as the Kuranko, Loko, Serbo, Kisi, Kono, and Bom peoples have traditionally followed ethnic religions but are now rapidly converting to Islam due to aggressive Islamic missionary efforts.
Let us pray that churches will reach these tribes with the gospel, leading them to understand that only the Lord, the Creator of the heavens, is worthy of honor and majesty. May those who are bound by idolatry find salvation in Christ, and may God’s kingdom grow among the peoples of Sierra Leone.

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