10 November, 2026
Going, Listening and Learning: Reflections from Chad
By Paul and Gareth
Talking about the unreached and spending time among them are two very different things. For us, our recent visit to Chad brought that reality into sharp focus. Chad is home to 81 unreached people groups, representing around 12 million people which is over half of the nation’s population. Choosing to follow Jesus can mean facing community rejection and severe persecution from one’s own family.
We went to spend time with our friends, learn about life in Chad and understand how local believers are making Jesus known in their communities. Through shared meals, conversations, prayer and journeys together, we heard stories that challenged us and met people whose faith deeply encouraged us.
Adoum* hosted us in Chad and he welcomed us with generous hospitality. He is a respected Christian leader with a deep understanding of the languages and cultures around him - he helped us to see and understand a world that is extremely different to ours. As our week unfolded, one thing was made evident: Adoum’s vision reaches beyond any single church network or project. Whether it's helping communities access water, connecting people with education or supporting Christian leaders, his desire is to see God’s Kingdom come and the gospel advance through all means.
In Chad, family relationships shape almost every part of life. Choosing to follow Jesus can mean rejection by those closest to you, the loss of support and opportunities, and, for most, threats of violence and death. Following Him may affect your ability to find work, marry or remain connected to the community you have always known. Hearing these accounts in person brought the cost of discipleship close. We were also so struck by the strength of believers who have had incredibly little access to biblical teaching or training, yet continue to depend wholeheartedly on God. Alongside the difficulties and challenges were people full of faith, continuing to share Jesus. We came away encouraged by what God is doing and so much more aware of the importance of standing alongside these believers.
Adoum’s priority is to train twelve disciples who can continue and multiply the work. He has already identified eight and is trusting God for the remaining four. For Issachar, this presents an opportunity for us to come alongside him, strengthen those he is investing in and help equip them to make disciples and establish churches. The work requires patience. Among nomadic communities, Christian workers may travel with families and their herds, sharing life as they move from place to place. Relationships grow over time, and making disciples can look very different from what we are used to.
Our time there also helped us understand how practical service opens doors for relationships. In these communities, as Christian workers cannot simply arrive and plant a church. But through schools, healthcare and access to water, they can serve their neighbours and build trust. We heard and saw how Muslim families welcome the quality education offered by Christian schools, sending their children and becoming open to relationships with the Christian workers. In one community, a local pastor had started a school where children otherwise had none, creating incredible opportunities for connection with Muslim families.
We returned having learnt a great deal. The challenges are considerable, but so is the encouragement of meeting faithful people who continue to make Jesus known in those circumstances. Please join us in praying for Adoum, for the leaders he is raising up and for believers following Jesus at great personal cost. Pray for strength, wisdom and opportunities to share the gospel and for us to discern and know how to serve these friendships faithfully, for His glory among the nations!
*Name changed due to safety concerns.
