Missionaries and Niger

Christian missionaries first encountered Niger in the seventh century, when Berber Christians migrated from North Africa due to emerging Islam in the nation. The group was isolated and eventually disappeared, leaving no Christian influences in the nation until the 1900s. In the early 1900s, Protestant missionaries first arrived. In 1929, African Christian Missions, a Baptist organization now known as Evangelical Baptist Mission, began mission work. Today, their churches have about 700 members. In the 1930s, Roman Catholicism spread from Benin into Niger.[1]

Today, Christian missionary organizations still have had a substantial impact on the nation. Organizations including SIM, Christian Aid, Assemblies of God, Fellowship of Independent Missions, YWAM, and World Vision are currently serving the people of Niger. SIM (originally named for "Soudan Interior Mission") is an evangelical Christian mission organization that has planted numerous churches in Niger. These organizations are continuing to plant churches and build Christian communities, but they face significant pressure from the Islamic influence in the region.

            Islam spread to Niger as early as the 15^th century, due to the expansion of the Songhai Empire and the Trans-Saharan trade from Egypt. The Niger River became a center for Sufi religion instruction and legal interpretation in the 1800s, and this had significant influence on Niger. Teachers slowly gained converts in the region, and approximately 94% of Niger is Muslim. [2]

Additionally, radical expressions of Islam have influenced the region and prevented Christian church growth. In January of 2015, the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, though based in Nigeria, began making threats to churches in Niger. They threatened to burn down churches and took credit for recent deaths due to protest in the capital of Niamey.[3]

These missionary influences certainly affected the religious makeup of Niger – very little expressions of traditional tribal religions are practiced today. Additionally, the expression of different religions in the nation has elicited a surprisingly little amount of conflict, and the political and cultural norm of the nation is one of religious tolerance.

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[1] “Niger,” SIM, last modified 2016, accessed February 24, 2016, http://www.sim.org/index.php/country/NE.

[2] James Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Niger (London: Scarecrow Press, 1979): 156.

[3] Catholic News Agency, “Boko Haram behind attacks on churches in Niger, says Catholic missionary,” The Washington Times, last modified January 30, 2015, accessed February 24, 2016, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/30/missionary-boko-haram-behind-attacks-on-churches-r/?page=all.

Bibliography

“Niger.” SIM. Last modified 2016. Accessed February 24, 2016. http://www.sim.org/index.php/country/NE.

Decalo, James. Historical Dictionary of Niger. London: Scarecrow Press, 1979.

Catholic News Agency. “Boko Haram behind attacks on churches in Niger, says Catholic missionary.” The Washington Times. Last modified January 30, 2015. Accessed February 24, 2016. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/30/missionary-boko-haram-behind-attacks-on-churches-r/?page=all.