Namibia
June 11th

“Namibia, live a life worthy of the calling you have received!”

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Ephesians 4:1,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Africa
Population | 2.77 million
Area |  824,292 km, It is almost like a barren desert on the Atlantic coast of southwestern Africa.
Capital City | Windhoek (470,000 people)
People Groups | Total 33 Groups, Kwanyama 28%, Nama 14.1%, Ndonga 14%, Herero 10.9%, Kwangali 9.3%, European-Afrikaner 3%
People Groups Unreached | 0
Official Language(s) | English, Afrikaans
Total Languages | 31
Bible Translations | Completed 13, New Testament 6, Partial 6
Religion | Christianity 88.8% (Protestant 53%, Catholic 23%), Ethnic religion 8%, No religion 2.5% Evangelical 12.5% (​​340,000 people)

》 About Namibia

Namibia was under German colonial rule from 1883 to 1915, during which 100,000 people were massacred under brutal governance. In 1920, it became a mandate territory under South Africa’s administration and remained under its rule for 70 years. In 1966, an armed struggle for independence began, led by the indigenous Marxist South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO), in conflict with the South African government. Namibia gained independence in 1990. After independence, SWAPO’s Sam Nujoma became the country’s first president and served three consecutive terms. Under the presidential system, Hage Geingob took office as president in 2021 and is currently in power.

Namibia’s economy heavily depends on mineral extraction and processing for export, which accounts for more than 50% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. It is one of the world’s largest uranium producers and ranks third in diamond production. Mining operations are controlled by multinational corporations from South Africa, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Major exports include diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, uranium, and processed fish, and the country remains highly dependent on South Africa for economic stability. Most of Namibia’s land is desert, and droughts are frequent. While two-thirds of the population rely on subsistence agriculture, 80% of cultivated land is owned by white landowners. In recent years, the tourism industry has been growing. However, the income gap is extremely large, and the unemployment rate stands at 34%.
Namibia’s GDP per capita is approximately $8,900.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Christianity makes up about 89% of Namibia’s population, with Protestants accounting for more than half. Among them, Lutheranism is the dominant denomination, as Christianity was introduced by German and Finnish Lutheran and Anglican missionaries in the 19th century. However, during Germany’s colonial rule from 1904 to 1907, 80% of the Herero people were massacred, leading to widespread negativity toward missionaries and the gospel. In Namibia, due to cultural customs that require church registration for funerals and weddings, many people are listed as members of Lutheran churches. However, less than 10% are true believers, and most who identify as Christians are nominal believers. The spiritual heritage of the nation has been eroded by liberal theology and syncretism. The truth of the gospel has faded as some emphasize healing gifts, and many believe that salvation can be found in other religions.
To spiritually train pastors and leaders to become disciples of the Lord, institutions such as the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Namibia, the Missionary Training Center of Namibia, and the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Training Center play a crucial role. Theological Continuing Education (TEE) is also being provided through distance education, particularly in the northern regions.
Let us pray that pastors will be well-trained in the truth of the Bible, established as true witnesses, and walking in worthy of their calling. May all churches in Namibia be set free from deception and deceitful schemes, so that their faith may be restored and they may attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

2. Missions have expanded as foreign missionaries have responded to the need to reach unreached people groups with the gospel. Recently, mission organizations such as SIM International, AIM, Assemblies of God (AoG), YWAM, as well as Reformed, Baptist, and Pentecostal groups have been actively engaging in mission work among unreached tribes. Additionally, independent churches and major denominations are being revitalized through charismatic movements. Let us pray that missionaries and churches will unite in one hope of their calling, with all humility and gentleness, in patience and love, boldly preaching the gospel of the cross so that a great harvest of souls may take place. Namibia has the 6th highest HIV infection rate in the world, with an adult prevalence of 11.6% and 210,000 people infected. About 10% of the total population are orphans who have lost their parents because of AIDS. The Scripture Union (SU) serves these children through an AIDS relief program. Let us pray for the physical and spiritual healing of those suffering from poverty and AIDS. May the Lord send dedicated people who will embrace and serve the next generation of orphans with His heart.

3. The traditional way of life of the San (Bushmen) is being threatened by mining and cattle ranching, and their animistic and semi-nomadic lifestyle calls for a culturally appropriate approach to evangelism. Many of the tribes in the northeastern Kavango and Caprivi Strip regions, including the Mbukushu, Wayei, Kiruku, and Pwe tribes, follow animistic beliefs. Other animistic groups, such as the Himba and Dimba, are offshoots of the Herero and live in arid regions of northeastern and southwestern Angola. Mission organizations such as SIM, AIM, Pentecostal churches, and Reformed churches are preaching the gospel in these areas, but only a small number of people have come to faith.
Let us pray that the unsaved souls among these minority tribes will hear the gospel, turn to Christ, and come to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God. May they reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

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