Senegal

The name "Senegal" seems to come from the Wolof words for "our canoe." Although it's a majority Muslim country, the Senegalese pride themselves on their tolerance and hospitality. Christians are free to evangelize, but the majority are Roman Catholics who do not.

Senegal is a secular state with freedom of religion despite the large Muslim majority. (92-96%) Islam dominates religious life and despite a longstanding Christian presence and outreach, a spiritual heaviness covers the land. The Christian minority is mostly Catholic. The Catholic faith as practiced in Senegal is a byword among Muslims. Instead of the traditional "people of the book," they are known as "those who drink." Although evangelical believers are few, members of the fledgling Church are growing confident in their identity in Christ and as evangelicals in Senegal.

Protestant missions date from around 1863 when the Paris Mission began work. Its largest following is among the Europeans in the country. The Christian and Missionary Alliance entered in 1933 and began work in Casamance. The work influenced a young Canadian to bring a team in 1936 called the West African Evangelical Mission. World Evangelization Crusade began work in 1935.

Since World War II, several smaller missions, mainly from the United States, have begun work. New Tribes Mission entered in 1954 and began work at Ziguinchor. In 1957, the Assemblies of God started work in eastern Senegal at Tambacounda. Of the newer missions, the Assemblies of God have had the greatest response.

From independence in 1960 until 1980, Senegal had a liberal-minded Catholic President even though the country was predominantly Muslim. Between 1960 and 1980, several missions were allowed to enter the country. United World Mission, Conservative Baptist International, Brethren Assembly, and Finnish Lutheran Mission all arrived during this time.