“Jesus has become the salvation of Gambia!”
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (1Corinthians 1:30,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Africa
Population | 2.41 million
Area | 11,300㎢, Located on the Atlantic coast surrounded by Senegal in northwestern Africa
Capital City | Banjul (480,000 people)
People Groups | Total 29 Groups, Mandinka 33.3%, Fulani 18.2%, Wolof 12.9%, Jola 11%, Serahuleh 7.2%, Serer 3.5%, Manjako 2.1%
People Groups Unreached | 14 (84.7% of the population)
Official Language(s) | English, Mandinka, Wolof
Total Languages | 29
Bible Translations | Completed 11, New Testament 8, Partial 8
Religion | Christian 3.7% (Protestant 1%, Catholic 2%), Islam 89.1%, Ethnic religions 6.5%, Evangelical 0.9% (22,000 people)
》 About Gambia
Gambia first emerged in the 10th century as Muslim traders established some of its the earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. It grew into a major export center for slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. European powers began trading with Gambia in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1664, Britain colonized Gambia and over the course of 300 years of transatlantic slave trading, sold approximately three million people into slavery. After a struggle for independence, Gambia became an independent state within the British Commonwealth in 1965. Following independence, it developed close ties with Senegal, which helped prevent a coup, leading to the formation of the Senegambia Confederation in 1981. Yahya Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994 and ruled with an iron-fist until he was defeated by Adama Barrow in the 2016 elections. However, he refused to hand over power and was eventually forced into exile in Equatorial Guinea. The country is a presidential republic, and Adama Barrow was re-elected in 2022 for a second five-year term.
The economy’s main sources of income are fisheries and tourism. Seventy-five percent of the workforce is engaged in agriculture, primarily cultivating peanuts, the country’s main crop, though most are subsistence agriculture farmers. Gambia River serves as a key transportation route, as well as an important economic base for tourism due to its beautiful natural environment and diverse wildlife in the lower reaches. The country’s main exports are peanuts and seafood. Remittances from Gambians living abroad make up 20% of the national income. However, half of the population lives below the poverty line.
Gambia’s GDP per capita is approximately $2,100.
》 Scripture Focus
| Corinthians 1:26-31(NIV) 26. Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29. so that no one may boast before him. 30. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD. |
》 Prayer Points
1. In Gambia, 89% of the population is Muslim, while Christians make up 3.7%. Among them, Catholicism is the dominant denomination, but it is often mixed with ethnic animism, and many only participate in formal religious events. Evangelicals account for less than 1% of the population, approximately 22,000 people, and there are very few churches and dedicated believers. Most pastors work in the capital, Banjul, and are reluctant to minister to ethnic groups in rural areas. The Evangelical Church of Gambia (ECG) has established a church for converts from Islam, and the “House of Wisdom” is training them spiritually and helping them become self-reliant.
Let us pray that the leaders and pastors of this small group of churches will be trained in the Word of the gospel of the Cross and in prayer so that they may actively spread the gospel to the ethnic groups of this land. Let us also pray that the majority of Gambian Muslims, who have lost hope due to corruption, will be saved through righteousness and holiness and become children of God.
2. Early missionary work in Gambia was led by Methodist, Anglican, and Mennonite churches, which began development, education, and medical ministries among the Agua, Jola, and Manjaco tribes. This work has continued to the present day. Missionaries from organizations such as WEC and the International Mission Board (IMB) translated the Bible, provided medical services, and planted churches among the Mandinka, Fulani, Jola, Wolof, Serahule, and Serer tribes, but the overall impact has been limited.
Let us pray that the gospel will be powerfully proclaimed among many ethnic groups in Gambia, breaking spiritual bondage and allowing them to experience the glory of becoming the children of God.
3. Various ministries are working among young people, including Scripture Union (SU), Youth for Christ (YFC), Global Evangelical Students (GAMFES), WEC, and Youth with a Mission (YWAM). These groups primarily hold small gatherings and discipleship training in Banjul. Many people have come to faith through prison ministries, but they need training and support to establish connection with local churches. Let us pray that Christian radio programs such as “Chronicle Bible Study” and “The Way of Righteous Life,” as well as Christian television programs such as “Life in the Word” and “Biblical Writers’ Group,” “The Jesus Film”, and online ministries will actively spread the gospel so that those who hear may be saved.
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