According to the International Mission Board, refugee families have moved across the Middle East and North Africa over the last decade due to political, religious, or safety concerns. While some have settled or returned home, others remain in camps. The outlet highlights a specific family that has lived in three countries in five years and hopes to relocate to a fourth. They converted from Islam to Christianity and seek religious freedom for their children. The group asks for prayers that their travel documents are approved this month and that they find a supportive community to help them maintain their faith during this uncertain transition.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Andrew Svk on UnsplashPersecuted church
In North Africa, a man identified as Ibrahim was forcibly divorced and lost custody of his children after converting from Islam to Christianity. Authorities detained him for 15 hours and convicted him of blasphemy, stripping him of marital rights. Despite pressure to renounce his faith to reunite with his family, Ibrahim refused. He now leads house churches and disciples new believers online. The outlet reports that he has recently been granted legal visitation rights with his daughters, though his marriage remains dissolved. His story highlights the severe social and legal consequences faced by converts in the region.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Joshua Kettle on UnsplashGood news
The International Mission Board reports that teams in Angola have identified unengaged and unreached people groups residing along the border with Namibia. These communities are often difficult to access due to their nomadic or seminomadic lifestyles and remote locations. The organization states that partners are seeking to understand where divine work is occurring among these populations to determine how best to allocate time and resources. This information highlights ongoing efforts to reach isolated populations in Southern Africa.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Calum Hill on UnsplashGood news
The Dhimba people reside in a remote and rugged area of northwestern Namibia, where daily life involves harsh conditions, limited water, and significant isolation. According to the International Mission Board, while the Dhimba acknowledge a Creator, they view this deity as distant. Consequently, they seek guidance and protection through their ancestors and the sacred village fire. The organization highlights the need for individuals to learn the local language and culture to share their religious message with this isolated community.
SIM International highlights community development and ministry initiatives across several African and Middle Eastern regions. Workers in North Africa and the Middle East face spiritual opposition while persevering in prayer. In specific areas of Nigeria and Benin, programs assist widows by providing livestock to help rebuild their lives and income. Additionally, mission workers in Namibia support local youth, and sports camps engage young people globally. SIM states that these efforts aim to demonstrate the impact of faith in daily life and reach communities that have not yet heard the message. The outlet emphasizes that God is opening doors for ministry in these regions.
One hundred years after the death of missionary Martti Rautanen, the Russian Lutheran Church has purchased his former home in Tikunpesä, near the Estonian border in Finland. Bishop Ivan Laptev announced plans to renovate the building and establish a mission museum there. The church views Rautanen, who served in Namibia for fifty years, as a global example of effective missionary work. Laptev recently visited Namibia to study Rautanen's legacy and intends to display artifacts and documents from the region. The project aims to inspire young Christians and highlight the historical ties between Finnish and Russian Lutheran communities.
SIM International reports on diverse mission strategies utilizing creative arts and technology. In Ethiopia, workers in a major city help believers connect with God through prayer. South Africa sees a mission worker using sewing and therapy to aid trauma recovery. Namibia highlights a young man overcoming a difficult childhood. Meanwhile, in Germany, church planting efforts target a major hub for refugees. Other initiatives include an after-school club for children with learning challenges and youth ministry work in a city in Ecuador. These projects demonstrate how creativity opens doors for spiritual engagement in various global contexts.
Rania, a 15-year-old girl in North Africa, discovered Christianity after seeking refuge in a historic church. The SIM article recounts how she entered the building to escape a stressful day at work in the local souk. Inside, she was welcomed by the priest's mother-in-law and others who listened to her complaints with kindness. Raised in a Muslim family, Rania had previously shown interest in Christian media. The church provided a quiet space for her to grow in faith through prayer and Bible study. Her parents accepted her new beliefs, allowing her personal spiritual journey to continue despite cultural differences.
SIM International highlights various youth and children's ministry initiatives across multiple regions. In North Africa, volunteers build relationships through friendship and shared activities. In Namibia, former orphans are supported in their development. The organization also promotes Sports Friends camps globally to engage young people. Additionally, staff members have been redirected to new calling in the Middle East. Other efforts include educational programs in Ghana, long-term service preparations by volunteers, Francophone ministry in Canada, and outreach in the Czech Republic. These stories illustrate SIM's diverse approach to faith-based community engagement and education worldwide.
A bishop opened a five-day seminar on Justice and Peace in a city in South Africa. Organized by a regional bishops' meeting, the event gathers coordinators from several neighboring countries. The gathering aims to empower religious leaders to address socio-political, economic, and environmental challenges in the region. The bishop emphasized the need for prophetic courage and concrete actions to combat inequality, xenophobia, and climate change. He referenced papal encyclicals to highlight the link between ecological degradation and social injustice, urging participants to build a more just and inclusive southern African region.
The Salvation Army International introduced several humanitarian workers for World Humanitarian Day 2026. Sithembile Ngcobo serves across Southern Africa, addressing climate disasters and development challenges. Irena Kraievska coordinates emergency aid in Kyiv, Ukraine, providing essential supplies and listening support. Captain Benjamin Omugah delivers assistance in Kisumu, Kenya, responding to droughts and floods. Noelia Pintos manages projects in Chile and neighboring countries, focusing on wildfire recovery. George William works in Pakistan, ensuring community-led responses. Captain Leo Siwi handles disaster assessments in Indonesia. The organization emphasizes serving all people regardless of faith during global crises.
Mission Cry is dispatching its inaugural shipment of free Bibles, Christian books, and seminary materials to Namibia. Jason Woolford of the organization states that despite 90% of the population identifying as Christian, high unemployment and low average incomes limit access to biblical training. The cargo, expected to arrive in November, will be divided into three parts. Two sections will support theological libraries for students and pastors, while the third will aid a ministry focused on the families of church leaders. This initiative aims to provide essential resources to those who cannot afford seminary costs.
A seminar held on August 23 in Saarijärvi, Finland, examined the nearly 160-year relationship between Finland and Namibia. The event highlighted the legacy of Selma Rainio, the first Finnish missionary doctor in the region, who established the Onandjokwe hospital in 1908. Participants included Finnish politicians, Namibian officials, and researchers. Finnish Ambassador Katja Kalamäki and MP Ville Valkonen emphasized that trust and long-term engagement are key to the bilateral connection. The discussion also covered modern cooperation in business, education, and culture, while addressing historical debates regarding missionary work and colonialism.
Millie Faulkner-Bugg reports on Linda, a missionary from South Africa who has served in Grootfontein, Namibia, for over 26 years with SIM International. Linda integrates her faith into daily acts of service, such as running a soup kitchen and teaching skills, to share the gospel. Her long-term relationships have supported local youth, including Galius, who faced suicide risks and later received church and organizational help for education and employment. The article highlights how sustained community engagement helps individuals in an area with high unemployment and poverty, offering hope and practical support to families in informal settlements.
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