Joyous celebrations mark 100 years of SIM in Niger

By Tim Allan | Niger in West Africa

Church and mission leaders from across Niger joined a series of joyous celebrations across the nation to mark 100 years of SIM work in the country this week (December 2-9).

Major celebrations took place at the Palais de Congres in the capital Niamey and in some of the towns where SIM has worked for many years, including Galmi, Dogondoutchi, Maradi and Zinder.

More than 400 people, including leaders of all the major church denominations SIM works with, attended the Niamey event.

SIM Niger director Jonathan Moore said: “We’re very pleased with how it went. It was wonderful to have so many people with us and to hear them praise God for his work in this country.

“From the start, we wanted to give the glory to God. He has been at work in this country for more than 100 years, he is still at work today and he will be at work into the future.

“That is why we picked Hebrews 13:8 as the key Bible verse for our celebrations: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Many SIM workers were able to join the events, including staff from the Niamey office and ministries across the country. They were joined by several fomer Niger mission workers, including Jim and Sandy Rendel, June Leach and Nancy and John DeValve, and other overseas guests including West Africa Missions Office director Daniel Salamu, DMG representative Christina Krappe, Health Ministries MPP Kendrick Lau and his wife Alicia, and SIM International Communications Director Tim Allan.

A video message from SIM International Director, Phil Bauman, was played at the Niamey event, in which he paid tribute to the founders of SIM’s work in Niger.

Dr Moore, who has served in Niger for more than 30 years, said: “The world has changed a lot since 1924. But one thing is certain: our God remains the same. He is still faithful. We've heard stories and testimonies about that.

“Nothing can be done without our relationship with the churches in Niger. From the very beginning, SIM Niger's vision has been to strengthen the Nigerien Church and see it develop its gifts. Together, we have worked and continue to work for the good of this country that we all love. I would like to thank all the pastors and other servants of God who have played such an important role in God's work.”

He paid tribute to the work of the doctors, nurses and administrators at both Galmi and Danja Hospitals, who have created two of the finest health institutions in the country. They both treat hundreds of patients a year, but also regard sharing the gospel with those patients as a key part of their ministry.

Dr Moore also thanked the government of Niger, who have partnered with SIM in much of our work in the country and continue to make it possible for our ministries to function.

Prayer: 

• Thank God for his faithfulness over the past 100 years of SIM’s work in Niger and pray for continued guidance in strengthening the church and sharing the gospel.

• Pray for unity between SIM, the churches, and the government, asking God to bless these partnerships and guide future ministry work.

• Pray for the doctors and staff at Galmi and Danja Hospitals, that they may continue to heal the sick and share the gospel with those in need.