With 200 people groups and 120 languages, Chad is one of the most unreached countries in Africa and presents a challenge to the gospel

Chad is one of 10 poorest countries in the world. It lies in the heart of the African continent and suffers from low rainfall and severe droughts.

Part of France's African holdings until 1960, Chad endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001.

Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits.

In 2005 new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and have made probing attacks into eastern Chad.

The harsh natural environment and extreme poverty of Chadians has reduced their life expectancy to just 47 years. The nation is plagued by waterborne diseases, malaria and meningitis.

Infant mortality is high: 91.45 deaths out of 1,000 live births.

80% of population is below the poverty line which has huge effects on children and young people.

There are 250 000 refugees in Chad from the Sudanese (Darfur) crisis and Congolese violence.

Many Chadian Muslims have been recruited as mercenaries to attack and kill Christians in Nigeria.

Thank God that the 2006 Elections were peaceful.

35% of the population are traditionally Christian; this provides a great opportunity for sharing the gospel.

People from a Muslim background are starting to respond to the gospel!

The country is almost equally divided between Muslim northerners, who are politically more powerful, and increasingly more marginalized Christian/ethnic religion southerners. Pray for continued peace and freedom in all ethnic and religious communities.

Islam is growing in influence and numbers in Chad. More and more Muslim nations are sending missionaries to Chad and more mosques are being built. Pray that Christians might be equipped to witness to this community.

Pray that the churches in Chad would grow and mature in their faith and discipleship. Many congregations mix Christianity up with other ideas and beliefs and can be legalistic. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be working to bring true freedom in their lives.

There are more unreached peoples in Chad than anywhere else in Africa. Pray for ongoing support and protection for missionaries already working here. Pray also that God would call many to dedicate years to learning the languages and building the Kingdom in Chad.