Against the Odds

Two IFES staff arrive to visit a remote, newly built campus in Equatorial Guinea. They’re met by a student leader, who guides them across the site, into a building, down a corridor, into a closed room in which the cleaners usually eat. Ten students are gathered for a “secret” Bible study.

Someone on the services team has let them use the space for a couple of hours before workers arrive because “religious meetings” are not permitted on campus. Towards the end of the time, they’re responding in prayer to the story of the burning bush when they hear knocking on the door. It’s a tense moment. They continue praying but realise they must finish.

New Life Against the Odds

When the person knocking finally opened the door, they all assumed he was the contact who had helped provide the room.

Lawrence (IFES Associate Regional Secretary for English-, Portuguese-, and Spanish-speaking Africa), who was leading the study on God’s call to Moses, invited him in. The man declined, but he didn’t cause a stir. He just asked them to finish and leave.

That day, despite the isolated location (including no nearby churches), despite the campus ban on religious groups, despite the unsettling interruption, four of the 10 students decided to respond to God’s call. That day – against the odds – four students received Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Growth Against the Odds

Aida, the other IFES staff visiting that day, says this has been God’s way over the last seven years. Through the IFES Breaking New Ground program and her national movement GBU Spain, she helped pioneer student ministry in Malabo but had to leave when the pandemic hit.

“It was so hard for me to have to return to Spain. Often, we couldn’t meet online because of the poor internet connection. I wondered if the group would survive. But God continued his work! When I returned to Malabo in 2022, I saw that, against all human odds, the group had grown. And students who came to our first meeting in 2019 are still with us today. For me, it was a lesson in faith and humility that will last a lifetime.”

Today, groups are active in three cities, connections have developed with church pastors, and a board has been formed. However, the country’s process for registering associations is severely backlogged, with permissions for new evangelical groups currently blocked.

For the meantime, the team is hopeful that the movement can operate under the umbrella of an already-registered religious body. Against the odds, ministry will continue.

Pray

Praise God for the way he has been a light and stronghold against the odds (Psalm 27) – for his presence in the pioneering ministry over the last seven years. Give thanks for the four students who recently professed faith, the groups meeting in three different locations, and a fledgling movement.

Pray that the students and movement will continue to thrive despite the obstacles – may they be renewed with courageous worship and resilient faith.

Pray for Aida, Lawrence, and the EPSA regional team. On their next visit, they will have important conversations around the appointment of a local as a national coordinator. Pray that God will prepare hearts and guide all involved in this process.