"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:14-15 ESV)

The Gambia, West Africa, is a small unreached country in the "10/40 window" with less than 1% evangelical Christians.

The Gambia is 96% Muslim with 2.5 million people and 29 distinct people groups. 

While The Gambia prides itself on religious tolerance, there are growing concerns about the increasing marginalization of Christians by the Muslim majority (sources: here and here). People who have identified with Islam for generations can sometimes be passionately opposed to Christian evangelism, causing uncertainty, fear, and in some cases, persecution against those who accept or proclaim the gospel.

Our family is transitioning from Costa Rica to The Gambia later this year. 

Alongside our supporting churches and the existing ABWE team, we will: 

• Help establish and support self-sustaining, biblically-healthy, nationally-led Gambian churches that disciple believers, evangelize the lost, send missionaries to rural communities, and plant new churches throughout the country.
• Engage in relational evangelism through intentional, authentic friendships with non-believers within our own neighborhood.

We visited The Gambia in November 2025 and met the current ABWE team, a wonderful group of faithful and dedicated Christians. We visited with Gambian Christians including pastors and ministry leaders. We began relationships with some Gambian Muslims as well, and we are continuing to nurture those friendships.

We are currently in the U.S. for training and raising support. We are eager to return to share the love of Jesus and rejoice with new Gambian believers, and to remind them of God's peace and provision.

As always, God is guiding and providing. We are surrendered to Him as He equips us for the challenges ahead. Every trial will be overshadowed by the love and communion we have through Jesus the Son.

In truth and love,

Ron, Julie & Zoe Youde

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." (2 Cor. 2:14 ESV)