Population: 16,000 (Burundi); 68,000 (DRC); 6,500 (Rwanda)

Language: Swahili

Religious Background: Islam

Progress: 1.4% Evangelical in DRC; 0% in Burundi and Rwanda

The word “Swahili” came from the Arabic word for coast, and the language is spoken through much of East Africa. The Swahili Muslims of Burundi are economically well off by African standards.

Because GT has field partners engaging Swahili Muslims in both Rwanda and DRC, we had planned on cross border collaboration in our efforts to reach Swahili Muslims in Burundi. One possibility was that Swahili Muslims who had begun to follow Jesus in DRC could take the Gospel across the border to Burundi. The political situation and terrorist activity in this area — particularly eastern DRC — have slowed these plans, however leadership training is taking place right now in this region

Prayer Request:

The borders with between Burundi and Rwanda and DRC and Rwanda are sometimes open, but volatile. Continue to pray for peace in this region and for the safety of field partners and their families — and all civilians. Continue to pray for the establishment of a new sending base in Burundi. Pray for new field partners to be raised up from Burundi to engage the Swahili Muslims. Pray for God to send believing Swahili from the DRC to Burundi. Pray for dreams and visions of Jesus to be released upon the Muslims in these countries.

Learn more:

For more information, click on the Joshua Project profile of Swahili Muslims