MISSIONS IN

Burkina Faso

God is moving in Burkina Faso

The State of Missions in Burkina Faso

Missions in Burkina Faso are shaped by a Sahel nation where Islamist violence has displaced communities and closed churches, a growing evangelical church strongest in the south and among several non-Muslim peoples, and 27 unreached peoples, many in Muslim communities, with the Jula the largest listed group. 27 unreached people groups remain, representing about 5,526,400 people; Jula is the largest listed community.

  • 24M POPULATION
  • 24% CHRISTIANS
  • 36% LITERACY
  • 27 UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
  • Jula LARGEST UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP
  • 5.5M UNREACHED POPULATION
  • Ouagadougou CAPITAL CITY
  • Ouagadougou Bobo-Dioulasso Koudougou LARGEST CITIES
  • West African CFA Franc CURRENCY
  • Tropical Sahelian climate, with a long dry season, a shorter rainy season, and hotter, drier conditions. CLIMATE
  • French PRIMARY LANGUAGES
  • Islam LARGEST UNREACHED RELIGION

Explore Burkina Faso

By Project
God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

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Explore by Category

Bible Translation French and oral-language Bible resources are crucial in a country with dozens of distinct ethnic groups.
Church Planting Violence in the Sahel makes locally led church planting especially important where outsiders cannot travel.
Disaster Relief Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Education Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Gospel Access Burkina Faso has 27 UPGs and about 5.5 million unreached people; the Jula are the largest listed group.
Human Trafficking Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Medical Missions Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Orphans & Vulnerable Children Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Persecuted Church Extremist attacks have closed churches and uprooted believers, making courage and endurance urgent prayers.
Poverty & Justice Churches can accompany displaced households with food, livelihoods, and practical help that protects dignity.
Unreached People Groups Millions still have little or no access to the gospel in their language and culture.

Active Projects across Burkina Faso

Resources for Your Journey (Coming Soon)

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A History of God's Faithfulness in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s evangelical missions story is closely tied to this history: 20th-century inland missions planted churches and translated Scripture; local churches now serve amid insecurity and displacement. Over time, responsibility increasingly shifted toward local pastors, evangelists, teachers, and churches rather than remaining primarily in foreign hands. Political change, migration, conflict, or secularization reshaped the movement in different eras.

  1. Early Beginnings

    Twentieth-century mission societies planted churches, translated Scripture, and trained believers in Upper Volta.

  2. 1900s

    Evangelical congregations grew especially among southern and central peoples as Burkinabè leaders assumed responsibility.

  3. Independence Era

    National churches gradually developed their own pastors, Bible schools, evangelists, and cross-cultural workers.

  4. Modern Movement

    Since the 2010s, jihadist violence has displaced congregations and shifted much ministry toward relief and trauma care.

  5. Today

    Burkinabè believers now pursue Gospel witness amid insecurity while seeking the country's 27 unreached peoples.

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