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Algeria is the location of ancient Hippo Regius, the home of St. Augustine. Christians in the early Roman Province of Africa recorded martyrdoms as early as 180AD and once held over 400 Bishopricks there. It was an intellectual center, with the writings of the African theologians Tertullian, Cyprian and Augustine quoting copiously from the Scriptures. But after their conquest of Egypt, early Muslim Arabs conquered the area between 647 and 709AD. There is archaeological evidence of a Catholic community surviving until 1114AD in central Algeria; however the majority of Berber Christians seem to have migrated to Tunisia, remaining there until at least the early 15th Century. By the time of the French conquest of Algeria and Tunisia, there was no trace of indigenous Christianity.
Independence from France was won in 1962, after a brutal 8-year conflict in which 350,000-1,000,000 Algerians died and more than 2 million were displaced.
It became a socialist state until 1988, when a multi-party political system was instituted. Fear that the Islamist "Islamic Salvation Front" party would assume power through the 1992 elections caused the army to intervene with a coup, sparking the ten-year Algerian Civil War. The guerilla war between Islamist groups and the National Liberation Front was marked by massacres whose brutality shocked the world. Civilians, whether men or women, adult or child, were targets, and were raped, dismembered, dashed against walls or enslaved.
A truce was negotiated in 1997, with promises of Amnesty for Islamists not guilty of murder or rape. But assassinations and violence continued well into the 2000's. The State of Emergency was only lifted in 2011. In the aftermath, Islamism was weakened in Algeria because of atrocities committed by its representatives during the Civil War.
The state religion in Algeria is Islam, but the constitution provides for freedom of religion, and neither conversion nor apostasy are criminal offenses. On the other hand, attempts to proselytize Muslims are illegal, and evangelists may be fined and given lengthy jail sentences.
A breakthrough came in July 2011 when the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA) was finally granted government recognition and able to register its congregations throughout the country. Algerian Christians view this as a positive step and hope it will lead to the repealing of other laws that restrict Christian worship.
Many people amongst the Kabylie and other Berber people are coming to Christ. Some churches have seen incredible growth over the last 20 years. In fact, so many are coming to Christ in remote areas that the church is challenged with how to disciple these new believers.
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Algeria has a constitutional presidential republic. The president is the head of state, and the Prime minister is head of government. In practice, it has been suggested that Algeria's powerful military (legacy of the Algerian War of Independence from France, 1954-1962 and the Algerian Civil War, 1991-2002) has much greater control than apparent in the official structure. Freedom of speech/protest and political assembly are curtailed, and the government has even taken steps to control the press. Protests sympathetic to Arab Spring erupted in Algeria from 2010-2013 in major cities.
Aymen Benabderrahmane, the former Prime Minister, has been president since 2019, taking over from the former leader who'd been in power since 1999.
Aymen Benabderrahmane, president of Algeria since 2019
Sabri Boukadoum, Prime Minister of Algeria since 2019
Algeria also has a bicameral legislature, composed of
- an upper house, the "Council of the Nation" (144 members): presided over by Abdelkhader Bensalah
- a lower house, the "People's National Assembly (462 members), presided over by Ibrahim Boughali
Algeria's judicial system includes civil and military courts. The highest court is the Supreme Court of Algeria. Civilian law is based on Islamic Shari'a Law.
Christian ministries operating
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Algeria's economy is growing rapidly because of its energy exports to Europe. It's estimated that Algeria has the world's 17th largest oil and 9th largest natural gas reserves. The nationalized oil company, Sonatrach, is Africa's largest company. One estimate holds that the growth of this industry has created a $20 billion (US) surplus in the budget. However, most of this wealth does not trickle down to the average citizen. Unemployment levels (9.9%) and poverty rates (23%) are high, and the HDI ranking is 84, between Peru and the Ukraine.
The protests between 2010 and 2013 reveal significant unrest, and concern about government corruption and low living standards continue to contribute to this. The official literacy rate is 72.6%.
Healthcare in Algeria is generally poor, but far better than Sub-Saharan Africa, with 1.13 physicians per 1,000 people and 2.23 nurses per 1,000 people.
WHO estimates show that "Behavioral" risks (like diet, tobacco & high blood pressure) are the leading causes of death in Algeria, as they are in the United States. Malnutrition is the leading cause in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The population graph for Algeria shows slightly steeper decline in population above age 35 than most Western countries, but not as dramatic as most African nations. The CIA Factbook estimates life expectancy at 76.8 years. Infant mortality rate is about 28 per 1,000 live births.
Algeria is in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Between Morocco and Tunisia. It shares borders with Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania and the (disputed) Western Sahara territory.
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GMO's Stats on Algeria
In FY24, Global Media Outreach registered 52,480 explorer visits, 2,994,684 gospel visits, 936,270 indicated decisions, 26,462 Contacts and 79,331 discipleship visits from Algeria. We have no Online Missionaries living in Algeria.
I want to communicate with you show me please. I accepted Jesus I was no one to help me identify it more. -Aziz, contact in Algeria, 2016
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Member Prayer Requests/Praise Report from last week
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Operation Mobilisation (OM) – House of Hope Algeria
- Overview: OM partners with the local church through the House of Hope team, comprising 48 adults and 26 children as of 2024. This team, mostly indigenous believers, engages in 11 ministries: Timothy Bible School, evangelism, follow-up and church planting, radio and satellite TV production, micro-enterprises, Christian literature distribution, relief and development, Chinese outreach, hospitality and compassion ministry, local fellowship, and Algerians for Mission (A4M).
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Activities: OM supports underground house churches and media outreach, producing Kabyle-language programs to disciple believers. A4M aims to send 1,000 Algerian missionaries by 2025, reflecting a vision to transform missions in the Middle East. They focus on training local leaders and fostering self-sustaining ministries, crucial in a context where foreign missionaries face visa barriers.
- Challenges: Visa restrictions limit international workers to entrepreneurs, language teachers, or skilled professionals. OM relies on intercessory and financial support from global partners due to local repression.
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Status: Active, with a discreet presence to avoid government crackdowns. Their work is primarily through local believers to minimize visibility.
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Prayer Points:
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Pray for safety and wisdom for the House of Hope team, especially in underground evangelism and media production.
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Pray for the A4M goal of 1,000 missionaries, that God raises up bold Algerian leaders.
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Pray for visa approvals for skilled workers supporting OM’s ministries.
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SAT-7
- Overview: SAT-7, a Christian satellite television network, produces Kabyle-language programs to support Algerian believers, particularly in the Kabylie region where most Christians reside. These programs model house church gatherings, provide theological teaching, and connect isolated believers.
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Activities: SAT-7’s broadcasts offer discipleship and encouragement, bypassing physical church closures. They reach both Christians and curious Muslims, contributing to the 8% annual growth of the Algerian church. Content includes testimonies, Bible studies, and worship, tailored to North African contexts.
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Challenges: The government monitors Christian media, and importing or printing Bibles is restricted, limiting complementary resources. SAT-7 operates remotely, avoiding direct confrontation with authorities.
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Status: Active, with significant impact through remote outreach, accessible to Algerians with satellite or internet access.
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Prayer Points:
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Pray for expanded reach of SAT-7’s Kabyle programs, that they strengthen isolated believers and draw seekers.
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Pray for protection for producers and contributors, especially local believers sharing testimonies.
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Pray for technological reliability and access to satellite dishes in rural areas.
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A3 (formerly Asian Access)
- Overview: A3 works among North African Muslims, including in Algeria, to share the Gospel and train leaders. Yernathen, an A3 representative, reported in October 2024 on the closure of all but one church and the persecution of pastors like Youssef Ourahmane. A3 supports underground churches and advocates for religious freedom.
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Activities: A3 focuses on leadership training and discipleship, equipping Algerian believers to sustain house churches. They note growing disillusionment with Islam, creating opportunities for evangelism, particularly among Kabyle Berbers. A3 collaborates with local pastors to navigate legal and social pressures.
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Challenges: A3 faces bureaucratic obstacles, as appeals for church authorizations are routinely ignored. Pastors face false charges, such as threatening national security, requiring legal support and advocacy.
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Status: Active, with a focus on empowering local believers rather than direct foreign involvement.
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Prayer Points:
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Pray for A3’s leadership training to empower Algerian pastors and house church leaders.
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Pray for legal victories for pastors like Youssef Ourahmane, awaiting Supreme Court appeals.
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Pray for courage for believers sharing the Gospel amidst disillusionment with Islam.
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Voice of the Martyrs (VOM)
- Overview: VOM supports persecuted Christians globally, including in Algeria, where they reported on church closures on June 23, 2025. They provide practical aid, such as underground seminary programs and resources for believers facing pressure.
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Activities: VOM supports an underground seminary in Algeria, offering two-year theology training to equip believers to withstand persecution. They also provide Bibles, legal aid, and encouragement to church leaders like Dassin, a Kabyle worship leader and evangelist. VOM’s work focuses on strengthening the resilience of the underground church.
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Challenges: Operating discreetly is critical, as overt aid risks exposing beneficiaries to arrest. VOM relies on local networks to distribute resources, navigating government surveillance.
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Status: Active, with targeted support for persecuted believers, particularly in Kabylie.
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Prayer Points:
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Pray for VOM’s underground seminary to train effective leaders for house churches.
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Pray for safe distribution of Bibles and resources, despite government restrictions.
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Pray for encouragement for believers like Dassin, facing family and societal opposition.
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Local Indigenous Ministries (EPA-Affiliated House Churches)
- Overview: The Église Protestante d’Algérie (EPA), a Reformed federation of Protestant churches, represents local evangelical efforts. Despite the closure of all 47 EPA churches by 2024, underground house churches led by EPA members persist, limited to 10 people per gathering. Leaders like Pastors Youssef Ourahmane and Salaheddine Chalah continue to advocate for religious freedom.
- Activities: These house churches focus on worship, discipleship, and cautious evangelism, often using social media to organize small groups. Leaders like Dassin share testimonies over the phone to avoid public scrutiny. The EPA’s resilience drives the church’s 8% growth, particularly among Kabyle converts.
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Challenges: Leaders face prison sentences (e.g., Ourahmane’s one-year sentence, upheld in 2024) and fines for unauthorized worship or proselytizing. House churches risk raids, and believers face family and community hostility, especially converts from Islam.
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Status: Active, operating covertly to sustain the evangelical community.
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Prayer Points:
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Pray for protection for EPA leaders and house church members meeting in secret.
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Pray for boldness and wisdom in evangelism, that new believers are discipled effectively.
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Pray for the EPA’s advocacy to reopen churches and secure worship licenses.
Other Potential Ministries
- Africa Inland Mission (AIM): While AIM is active in North Africa, specific operations in Algeria are not explicitly documented due to security concerns. Their focus on unreached groups aligns with Algeria’s Kabyle Berbers, but visa restrictions and surveillance limit direct involvement. AIM likely supports regional efforts indirectly through training or media.
- International Mission Board (IMB): IMB’s Sub-Saharan Africa focus includes North African contexts, but Algeria’s restrictions make direct operations challenging. They may support Algerian believers through regional partnerships or media, similar to SAT-7.
- Release International: This UK-based ministry supports persecuted Christians in Algeria through partners, providing aid to church leaders and families. Their work is discreet, focusing on encouragement and practical support.
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