In the 1990s the International Mission Board, then called the Foreign Mission Board, was divided into geographic regions. In 1998 the Board began moving in "new directions," and the Niger Mission was divided into people groups -- Zarma, Fulani, and Hausa. Because of the similarity of language and heritage, initially the Zarma People Group Team encompassed the Dendi and Songhai People as well. However, as research progressed, leadership asked for separate teams to minister to these other people groups. So, in January 2000, the Songhai Team wa formed.
This summer 2009, the IMB is again restructuring. The Songhai team is now part of the Sub-Saharan African Affinity Group-- a grouping of over 600 million people. Our Songhai Team is included in the Central Sahel Cluster. The facts are that out of our cluster as a whole (about 8 West African countries) we have over 1000 people groups who have nearly the same number of languages. Less than two percent of the population is considered evangelized!
Those who work on our Team and those who partner with us providing opportunities for the Songhai to hear and understand The Gospel, ministering to their physical needs as well, are many. This is a good thing, for the task is great! Each mission, project, and individual brings unique resources and giftings; each is a blessing.
Besides career, short term, and volunteer personnel sent out from the IMB (International Mission Board), this "Greater Songhai Team" includes: local Christians, EBM (Evangelical Baptist Mission), both Baptist and Presbyterian Brazilian churches, and The Kingdom Project of Nigeria also have personnel on the field. We also work with local radio stations, Campus Crusade for Christ / "Jesus Film," the Joshua Project, Bethany, TransWorld Radio, World Horizons, Christ in Every Home Ministry, 30 Days for Prayer, SIM, SIL/Wycliffe, Hope for Europe / 30 Days of Prayer for Muslims, and other Great Commission Christians. Each ministry and each individual, is very committed in various capacities to reaching the Songhai with God's message of love. We like to think of our "Greater Songhai Team" as a puzzle.
When a manufacturer makes a puzzle, he first puts a whole picture on cardboard, and then cuts it into little pieces, each piece having a little bit of the whole picture. He makes each piece the shape it needs to be to fit well into the other pieces, so that the whole will make a lovely picture, complete only as each piece takes its place. He makes sure all the pieces are inside the box, and then He seals it. He puts another picture on the top of the box to guide those who will be putting it together, so that they will know where each piece should fit.
Our team is like a puzzle, created by God. He put a whole picture on the board, salvation for the Songhai. Then He cut it into little pieces, each piece having a little bit of the whole picture. He made each piece to fit well into the other pieces, and some pieces He gave a straight side to form the framework. Each piece of this puzzle is a team member, each having an important task no one else can do. Each talent, each task is complementary to the others so that the whole job can be completed, from career missionary to local pastor to a US-based volunteer to another agency working with the Songhai or local Christians. Those pieces with the straight sides are the strategy coordinators and team leaders, who give the framework for ministry. His purpose is that all of us working together through Him and under His direction will bring salvation to the Songhai, when we all do what we have been called to do. He made sure all the pieces were inside the box, His protective covering, giving us everything we need to be successful and unifying us. He then sealed the box with His Spirit and His promise to never leave us. He put another picture on the top of the box, a vision in our hearts and minds, to guide and direct the process.
You can read about those who have come as volunteers, how they have participated, and learn more about volunteering to minister to the Songhai by reading our Volunteer Information.
We get many questions about how we live and about the day in/ day out of ministry. A Day in the Life of is a collection of short essays describing what a "normal" day might contain on the mission field.
You can be a part of the ministry to the Songhai people:
Intercessors are a vital foundation for all ministries; read more about our Prayer Team, Prayer Children and Village Adoptions.
A list of needed personnel, and a very short job description for each, can been seen on both Job Opportunities and Volunteer Opportunities pages.