Prayer Points
- For life-sustaining jobs for the 27% who are unemployed.
- For continued religious freedom in Namibia.
- For revival among Christians who cling to unbiblical beliefs.
- That purity in worship and in the Church will be restored.
- That all may hear the Gospel once again and for many to turn back to Christ.
- For unity and cooperation among all groups seeking to uplift Chris.
- For wisdom and discernment to reach the unreached people groups.
LOCATION
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
POPULATION
2 568 569 (2017 est.)
RELIGION
Christian 80% to 90% (at least 50% Lutheran)
Indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
INTERNET USERS
520 000
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
28,1 % (2014)
MISSIONARIES (2010)
Sent 60
Received 1400
LEAST REACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
0
KEY CITY
Windhoek
Population of city:
400 000
Urbanization Rate:
4.16% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major religion in city:
Christianity
We Pray...
Father, we pray for life-sustaining jobs for the 27% of Namibians who are unemployed.
Lord, we also pray for continued religious freedom in Namibia. We pray for reformation among Christians who cling to unbiblical beliefs. We pray that purity in worship and in the Church will be restored in the lives of Namibian Christians.
Lord, we ask that all may hear the Gospel once again and for many to turn back to Christ. Father will you please establish unity and cooperation among all groups seeking to uplift Christ in this nation. Lord, we pray for wisdom and discernment to develop specific approaches to reach the unreached people groups. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
State of the Church
The Church in Namibia is growing. There are multiple Church Bodies who are coordinating mission in and beyond Namibia. Partnership between Churches are still a problem, but there are cases where denominations are starting to work together to reach the Northern parts and isolated areas of Namibia. As with many African countries, syncretism is a reality as many people mix their cultural practices with Christianity.
Overview
Namibia is currently one of the more stable countries in Africa, but that wasn't always the case.
Since the early 1800’s German settlers started to infiltrate the area. After Britain took over "The Cape Colony", the amount of people moving North, grew significantly. This movement reached its peak after diamonds were discovered in the early 1900’s.
After World War 1 the League of Nations mandated that South Africa should administer the territory. The League of Nations was an international society of countries which was started after World War 1 to keep the peace between nations.
In the 1970’s the people of Namibia wanted to be able to rule their own country. SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organisation) was then recognized as the official representative of the Namibian people.
All of this happened during the same time as the Cold War. When Russia and America was found in a stalemate, these two superpowers took their war into other countries and tried to win the war by imposing their ideologies on these countries. In fear of communism spreading from Angola through Namibia into South Africa, South Africa mobilised troops into Namibia and Angola to try and stop any advances of communist organisations. This became known as the Bush war which lasted for 25 years.
In 1990 Namibia received their independence shortly after a secessionist movement in the Caprivi Strip started. This caused many to flee to Botswana. After negotiations, the government declared the area safe for tourists in 2002. Namibia is mostly desert. Most of their income comes from diamonds, tourism and livestock.
More Resources:
- Regional Prayer Initiative: Pray4sea
- African Prayer Initiative: Pray Africa
Bibliography
- INcontext ministries – http://incontextministries.org/
- CIA World Factbook
- Atlas of Global Christianity – Todd M.Johnson & Kenneth R. Ross (Published by – Edinburgh University Press) (Missionaries and national workers: Africa 2010, page 267)
- Prayercast – http://prayercast.com/
- Unreached people groups – http://www.joshuaproject.net
- The voice of the Martyrs – http://www.persecution.com/
- Jul-Dec, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report – http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/index.htm
- Operation World – http://www.operationworld.org/african-countries