God was with us, as ever, in very tangible ways! He kept us safe. He provided for us and our Fulani friends. As we continue to build schools, clinics, and rotational grazing, God continues to make a way for His people there! Despite persecution and difficulty, we are following the Lord together into 2026.
James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
We built Enugu Secondary School.
A former ICCM School, Enugu had a primary school, and started a secondary school. They ran out of money, and the project sat unfinished. We came alongside and finished the project! The childrens' educations can now continue!
We built a church for Pastor Elijah and his congregation.
Phyllis was driving by this tiny church, and the Lord told her to pull in! The Lord told Phyllis to build this Godly man, Pastor Elijah and his congregation a new church! And so she did!
SFA Secretary Carisa Haven and friend Carol Barrett visited Phyllis.
We drove safely throughout the country, visiting existing schools and new school sites. We were encouraged to be together, and saw many amazing things!
We built Partners In Progress Primary School and Bauchi Clinic.
This community is SO THRILLED to have a school and clinic, they threw us a huge party! The government has offered to pay teachers salaries! This school is FULL, and we already need to add on!
We purchased land in Port Harcourt for a new Fulani village.
After being suddenly displaced from their homes, our Fulani friends had nowhere to go! Our school was torn down with very little notice! We have purchased new land, and will build a forever home!
Port Harcourt MOVING FORWARD...
Our team is there now, in Port Harcourt. They will begin to build the wall around the perimeter of our property, to protect it from hostile neighbors. Please pray for the safety of our police officers and our team - they are our dear friends and family!
Gospel Spreads From One Fulani Man to a Whole Fulani Village
Obed* wanted to go deeper in his Muslim faith. His search took him all the way to a neighboring country, where he found a teacher. After spending six months with him, he found that he had gone no deeper in his understanding. But God, the Good Shepherd, was just getting started.
Still in pursuit of deeper understanding, the Lord directed Obed to a chief in another village. After spending a week there, he was confronted with the question: “Do you want to know Islam more, or are you looking for salvation? What are you looking for?” The answer came somewhat naturally. “I am looking for salvation,” Obed replied. God was moving. “If it’s salvation, you must believe in Jesus Christ.” He accepted then and there.
After some time, Obed returned home. His father, a Muslim, said somewhat prophetically that Obed’s life would change. It was indeed the beginning of a new life. Obed got married. The foundation of marriage was also different from what he was accustomed to in his culture. It didn’t depend on dowry, but on love and was underpinned by prayer.
After they welcomed their first child, the Lord directed Obed to Bible school. He graduated three years later and began holding church services in his friend’s house. The services weren’t just about studying the Scriptures and praying; they were about presenting this new life holistically. He not only taught people how to read the Bible and pray, but how to take the sick to the hospital, how to practice good hygiene, how to save money, and much more. Just as a shepherd cares for all aspects of his sheep’s life, Obed was caring for the whole person.
Obed’s new life translated to a new community. Today, if you visit Obed you find Christians and Muslims living together in an integrated community. If there are tuition needs among the children of Muslim families, the church helps pay for them. If there is a medical need, they will raise money in the church, whether beneficiaries are believers or not. It is truly a community, in which the church loves its neighbours as itself. His Muslim neighbours have asked why Obed chooses to work with them, when he has found a new faith. He answers that it’s the power of Jesus that compels him.
It is moving to hear these stories of compassion in action. It’s moving to hear how a shepherd’s heart can impact the life of an entire community. It shows how God can change entire communities and that He can do that through just one person.
God shepherded one man’s heart and through that, a whole community. The Good Shepherd is transforming the Fulani community.
Please pray:
For Obed, that he would continue to be light and salt to his neighbors, no matter what they believe
That those neighbors would see the light of Jesus in Obed and want to learn more about the Good Shepherd
For the Fulani church to grow, both in numbers and in the impact it makes in the community
Copied with permission from Fulani Prayer Focus, Epistle
Our own *Obed!
We have an *Obed, a chief who wants to come to Jesus. He has been quietly asking questions, and has been given resources! Over time, he has become afraid to say more. There is SUCH terrible persecution for Muslim Nigerians who want to come to Christ...
IF this man comes to Christ, he will bring his whole HUGE family to Christ as well. He will bring his whole village to Christ. We will hold church services in his school for the surrounding community!
Lord Jesus, you know the man I speak of. You know his heart. Please continue to pursue him. Help him find a way to give his heart to you! Give him courage, and protect him and his family from persecution. Oh LORD, how we want them in our family!