Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of Global Studies Survey

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP PROJECT ABSTRACT

A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. JIM O'NEILL

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF

GLOBAL STUDIES SURVEY

GLST 500-D07

BY

RYAN FREUDENTHAL

STUDENT ID: 25521451

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

DECEMBER 14, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT 3

BACKGROUND 5

PEOPLE 10

LANGUAGE 16

RELIGION 17

MISSION WORK SURVEY 24

PROPOSED STRATEGY 27

PERSPECTIVE ONE 38

PERSPECTIVE TWO 33

PERSPECTIVE THREE 12

BIBLIOGRAPGY 13

ABSTRACT

Missions are found throughout the entire Bible, as well as being commanded of Christ's followers by Christ Himself. The Great Commission serves as the primary call and purpose of Christians all around the world. The person that heads this call and purpose and follows the example of Christ is one that may experience many things. This person may experience sacrifice, discomfort, doubt, and maybe even persecution or death. On the other hand, this person will definitely experience purpose, rewarding relationships, God's power, God's blessing, and the knowledge that they are right where God wants them to be. This person or person(s) will be spreading the gospel of Christ to areas and people where the gospel has never been heard before, and there is no greater service that one can provide.

One of these areas is located in North Africa, in the country of Algeria. Algeria has a population of almost 37.5 million people. Algeria attained their independence a relatively short time ago when they won their independence from France in 1962. While the majority of the population in the past where the Berbers that held close to Chrisitanity, this changed around the seventh century when Arabs invaded the area. Now, almost 95% of the population is Muslim, and only 0.17 % of the population is Christian. An even further challenge is the fact that the primary language of this area is Arabic-speaking. How will someone overcome the challenges of language and an extremely minimal amount of exposure to God and Christianity?

This paper will provide information that people and organizations anywhere can utilize for missions. This paper will better prepare those people and organizations as to what they can expect, methods of communication, challenges they may face, and so on during their visit in Alegeria. This paper will explore the culture of customs of Algeria in order to find ways that those either on or going on mission to this area will find invaluable. This paper does not serve as an exhaustive, step-by-step manual for missions in Algeria. This paper simply serves as a framework for missions, and more specifically, missions in Algeria. Some parts of missions can only be learned through experience.

BACKGROUND

Algeria is located in North Africa. As stated in the abstract, this country was once primarily Christian with the Berber population. However, after the seventh century it and the Arab invasion this quickly changed. From the time of the Arab invasion on, the country has been primarily Muslim in faith. Actually, as of the last estimate 95% of the population is Muslim, and only 0.17 % of the population is Christian.

Algeria is a relatively young nation. Algeria did not gain independence until 1962. Algeria declared independence from France on July, 5 1962. Algeria is approximately 3.5 smaller than Texas. Algeria is bordered by Morrocco, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya, and Tunisia. The terrain of Algeria consists primarily of high plateau, desert, mountains, and coastal plains. In fact, about "85% of the land area" of the country is made up of the Sahara Desert. This information will help a missionary prepare for the physical area in which they are being sent.

PEOPLE

The people of Algeria rely heavily on agriculture. Much like their Berber ancestors, The current population uses livestock, primarily cattle, as a source of income. Through the trade and sales of meat, dairy, hide, etc the people are able to make money for survival. A more current source of income for the Algerian people lies in hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons currently provide about 60% of budget revenues and 30% of the GDP for Algeria. In fact, Algeria has on of the top ten largest reserves of natural gas, and has one of the top 20 oil reserves. With this being said, Algeria still struggles in developing a more diversed and well-rounded economy. In all essence, Algeria is still a primitive nation in regards to their economy.

Figure one shows the geographical area and boundaries of Algeria.

Figure two shows an exact area of the Arabic-speaking population of Algeria, which included most of Algeria's largest cities.

The table below provides very useful information for missionaries when trying to develop a plan for witnessing to people in Algeria, as well as the fact that approximately 70% of the population is literate. Please observe Figure 3 below.

0-14 years 27.8% (male 5,318,100/ female 5,072,373)

15-64 years 67.2 % (male 12,743,060/ female 12,363,782)

65 years and over 5% (male 854,036/ female 1,015,875)

LANGUAGE

The primary language of Algeria is Arabic. Approximately 81% of the population speaks Arabic. The only variance lies with the Berber population that was under French rule. This sect of the population continues to speak French. This comes as part of a resistance to the Arab rule, and as a simple draw to the past and the language that they grew

...