Ivory Coast
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Official name: Côte d'Ivoire, République de Côte d'Ivoire (French) |
DEMOGRAPHY
ECONOMY |
LIFE & LIBERTY |
Contents |
[edit] Geography
[edit] Location
[edit] Climate
[edit] Natural Resources
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Peoples
- Barala
- Mwan there is a New Testament in this language
[edit] Provinces
[edit] Life
- Since the civil war people have turned to idolatry and talismans, in order to protect themselves, instead of trusting in God. The number of drunkards has greatly increased and corner shops where they sell strong drinks have multiplied. For some it is the only way of getting money; for others it is a way of forgetting their worries, or rejoicing at the end of the civil war. Now you can wirness a new form of unbelieve and religisity, along with every kind of vice.
- The situation in the north is improving and rebel soldiers are no longer in control. The government officials and school teachers from the south are returning (after five years of occupation by rebel forces). May God lay the burden of the unreached peoples of this area on the hearts of Christians in the south. Missionaries are needed, to be messengers of hope and healing to this neglected area. The Barala is one of these unreached people groups.'
[edit] Economy
- One of the world's largest producers of cocoa, coffee and palm oil.
[edit] Government
[edit] Religion
[edit] Islam
[edit] Buddhism
[edit] Christianity
- There is rapid growth in evangelical churches, and the charismatic movement is well established in the Catholic Church. There are 700 Protestant/Independent churches in Abidjan, the largest city of the country. Abidjan is the key for the evangelization of Côte d' Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso. Every people of these lands has a significant community in the city. Most are neglected by the Church. There is a need for a church planting prograsm for all the peoples, who are living in this city.
[edit] History
Catholic missionaries first arrived in 1637, but soon left due to difficult circumstances. Missionaries did not return until after renewed French interest in Côte d'Ivoire in 1843. The Catholic Church has worked hard to develop African leadership at increasingly higher levels of its hierarchy. Its work has been concentrated mostly in the south and especially in Abidjan, where up to 50% claim some affiliation with the Catholic Church.
Côte d'Ivoire has seen several indigenous churches arise. The most famous was begun by William Wade (Prophet) Harris. He visited Côte d'Ivoire in 1913-1915 and in a short time, about 120,000 were baptized. Many of these people later joined the Methodist Church, but the independent Harris Church is still strong, though losing ground in the cities.
Protestant missions did not enter Côte d'Ivoire until 1924, when the British Methodists opened work. Others soon followed: Assemblies of God, Mission Biblique, CMA, and WEC, among others. Protestant work has not been characterized by rapid growth. The Methodists and CMA have the largest followings, with about 120,000 members each. Mission activity has resulted in over 1,000 evangelical church congregations in Côte d'Ivoire. By some estimates, 9.2% of Ivoirians are evangelical Christians. Although steady growth is being experienced, mature national leadership must be further developed in order to cope with the growth.
[edit] Churches
- The rapid growth that has taken place in evangelical churches. Believers have almost doubled since 1990. Recent research (2008) has shown that there are more than 700 Protestant/Independent churches in Abidjan, a massive increase from 1990. Denominations are beginning to work together.
[edit] Church and State Relations
[edit] Mission
- Spiritism still has a hold on many and a low level of bible knowledge and poor discipleship mean that people still turn to the spirits when life gets tough.
[edit] Broadcasting
[edit] Councils and Networks
[edit] Future Trends
[edit] For More Reading
