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THE RACE - ISSUE 3
Who Are They?
The 28 million Algerian Arabs are one of the largest
unreached people groups in the world (and one of the most difficult to
reach). Algerian Arabs are derived from the Arabs who came during the
seventh century Islamic expansion westward across North Africa.
Most Algerian Arabs adhere to the tenets and traditions of Islam, which are woven
into the fabric of Arab culture and traditions and cannot be easily separated
from them. There are only a couple of known churches of Algerian Arab
Christians in Algeria (and these must meet in secrecy). Most Algerian
Arabs live in country of Algeria though very large populations reside in
France. Algeria shares borders with Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya,
and Tunisia. Algeria is the second largest country in Africa and the largest
of the nations that form the region of western North Africa known
traditionally as Al-Maghreb ("the West").
So, what keeps us from reaching them?
Scarcity of prayer support:
The greatest limiting factor in the evangelization of Algerian Arabs is
inadequate and ineffective prayer support. There is a great need for
Christians and churches that will
fervently and faithfully pray for their salvation and the people God is using
to reach them.
"To be an Arab is to be a Muslim."
Becoming a follower
of Jesus brings dishonor to the person's family and results in physical and
emotional separation from them. Islamic law allows removal of such shame by
killing the convert. Many Algerian Arabs attracted to Jesus are unwilling to
pay this high cost for their salvation.
Lack of workers:
There are no
expatriate evangelists now working with Algerian Arabs in Algeria. A handful of cross-cultural workers are being trained in other countries in preparation
for a ministry inside the country. Many more workers are
needed.
Language difficulty:
To communicate the Gospel to Algerian
Arabs must learn Arabic and/or French. Learning these difficult languages
require several years of intensive study on the basics and more years to
become fluent.
The Algerian Arab Team
therace@therace.ws
If you would like to add someone(s) to "The RACE" email ministry,
simply send their name and email address to
therace@therace.ws. If you need to
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