Phillip Rice

Located in West Africa, Burkina Faso is a primarily Muslim country that is known for its political instability and the ongoing presence of Islamic militant groups. Though the country's constitution declares that individuals have the right to religious freedom in Burkina Faso, terrorist groups have been known to target places of worship and religious leaders in the country. Christian persecution is a very real and dangerous reality that believers in Burkina Faso face.

In 1993, I was elected as missionary for BMA Lebanon. After I graduated from Central Baptist College, I went back to Beirut and was sent by First Baptist at Blackwood, New Jersey, to serve in Lebanon. Then in 1989 my father died and I took over for him as Lifeword’s Arabic speaker.  

Damaris Porras was one of six sisters and two brothers . . . and considered the rebellious one in the family. When she was a teenager, one of her sisters was saved at Brother Bill’s church in Tibas. Her sister came home and told her family about her salvation and invited them to the Easter service led by Brother Bill. 

On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, I had the privilege of meeting Roberto Feliz. It didn’t take long for me to see his love for the Lord and the people around him. When he is not greeting folks, he is humming a worship tune or singing praises to God.