This West African nation is known as the home of the voodoo spiritist religion, which in the past demanded human sacrifices. To this day, fetishism underlies much of the daily life of the people, despite the strong influence of Roman Catholicism during the French colonial period, and more recent Protestant missions. Between 1972 and 1985, the country was under Marxist rule, adding to the mix of ideology. At this time, the country enjoys complete religious freedom.

SIM began work in Benin (formerly known as Dahomey) in 1946, and the national church that grew out of our work there is known as the Union des Eglises Evangéliques de Bénin (UEEB). UEEB leaders report nearly 300 churches and places of worship among 11 language groups, with 120 pastors and 7 Beninese missionaries reaching out to other groups. Of the 57 ethnic groups in Benin, only five have more than 5% evangelicals. Many groups have not yet been reached. Bible translation is a grave need; 24 languages are without a New Testament. Complete Bibles are available in two national languages, and another two are in the process of being printed by the United Bible Society. SIM is doing linguistic and literacy work in 7 languages, alongside the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL).

Recent church growth trends have created a great need for trained leaders. Two hundred pastors are needed now. SIM and UEEB work together to provide such training, both in French and vernacular languages, through Bible schools as well as theological education by extension. The church also seeks to provide Christian-based general education for its children, in order to improve the over-all quality of education, raise the children's achievement through better teacher-student ratios, and motivate children for Christian service.

UEEB/SIM operates the only evangelical mission hospital in northern Benin, which cares for a vast region. There are also village health ministries along with rural church planting efforts.
Evangelism through radio has shown much fruit in recent years.

UEEB/SIM is broadcasting regularly on local FM and government short-wave radio stations regularly in 9 languages, with encouraging response. Other fruitful means of outreach are correspondence courses, video showings, Bible exhibitions, marriage conferences, youth study centres, women's groups, Bible camps, sports evangelism and Sunday Schools.

Please pray for:

1. Spiritual renewal and continuing development of church-mission relationship, leadership effectiveness, visionary planning, and unity within the church.
   
2. Bible School teachers with the right cultural and ministry approach. Pray that the Lord calls new students for the pastoral ministry, and provides for their scholarships through the church.
   
3. SIM and Beninese church missionaries to the Fulani and Tamberma people in Togo, and a new outreach to the Basila Alejo-Koura region in Benin.
   
4. Family life enrichment ministries in the UEEB churches, particularly to prevent further HIV/AIDS infection.
   
5. The pastors developing church-based radio outreach to the Fulani, Bariba, Fon, Kotokoli, Dendi, Yom, Yoruba, Lokpa, and French-speaking people in Benin, and for the funding of these ministries.