Across the vast southern savanna of Chad, Africa, villages lie scattered along a network of dirt roads and trails. Several thousand Kulfa people live here. Centuries ago, Islam infiltrated their villages, and the Kulfa converted. However, that religion never took deep root. Not knowing Arabic well, the Kulfa people do not understand what is taught in their local mosques. In their daily life, worship continues as it always has: the veneration of idols and ancestors. 

Several years ago, a Christian group tried reaching them, but their efforts ultimately failed. The tiny handful of believers who remain have no churches and no Scripture in their language.

Baptist Mid-Missions’ work in Chad marked its 100th year in 2025. It began as a vision of BMM’s founder, William Haas, and was initiated in 1925 by Paul and Etiennette Metzler, Walter Ganz, and Tillie Burkey. One hundred years of missionary work since that time has introduced thousands of Chadians to Christ. Now trained and equipped, those Christians are able to take the gospel to fellow Chadians who still do not know the God of the Bible. 

Among those Christians are the Sara Kaba Naa people. For years, they have been burdened to reach the Kulfa, whose language is similar to theirs. This year, their vision was realized through a unique partnership ministry between Bibles International (BI) missionaries and Chadian Christian leaders. Normally, BI pursues Scripture translation projects in communities with established churches. After learning about the Kulfa, BI leaders explored the idea of using Scripture translation to support evangelism and initial church planting. 

By God’s grace, that happened on April 20, 2025, Resurrection Sunday. BI missionary Anna Beth Wivell, joined by Chadians from BI’s translation center and Sara Kaba Naa believers, spent several days in Alako and Singatou sharing the gospel. Some team members preached and taught while others formed a prayer band under a nearby mango tree. Dozens of Kulfa people in both villages professed Christ, and seven backslidden Christians returned to the Lord. 

After the team left, Pastor Ninda helped care for this incredible harvest of souls and later moved there to continue reaching more for Christ. The Sara Kaba Naa leaders are helping Pastor Ninda cultivate these new believers into a fledgling church. The BI team is praying that Scripture translation will be possible here so that God’s Word can anchor the church as it grows. The Light is now shining in a dark place. Pray that the Kulfa communities will keep growing brighter and brighter with God’s light. 

By God’s grace, that happened on April 20, 2025, Resurrection Sunday. BI missionary Anna Beth Wivell, joined by Chadians from BI’s translation center and Sara Kaba Naa believers, spent several days in Alako and Singatou sharing the gospel. Some team members preached and taught while others formed a prayer band under a nearby mango tree. Dozens of Kulfa people in both villages professed Christ, and seven backslidden Christians returned to the Lord. 

After the team left, Pastor Ninda helped care for this incredible harvest of souls and later moved there to continue reaching more for Christ. The Sara Kaba Naa leaders are helping Pastor Ninda cultivate these new believers into a fledgling church. The BI team is praying that Scripture translation will be possible here so that God’s Word can anchor the church as it grows. The Light is now shining in a dark place. Pray that the Kulfa communities will keep growing brighter and brighter with God’s light.