Reaching Somalis with the gospel, online and against all odds

In places where the gospel can’t be freely shared—whether due to persecution, political restrictions or cultural barriers—God is still opening doors. One of the most powerful tools being used today to reach least-reached people groups is social media. That’s especially true for the Somali people, both in Somalia and across the diaspora.

With over half of the estimated 28 million Somalis living outside of Somalia—primarily in Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti—there are opportunities to reach them globally. Yet, less than 1% of Somalis worldwide follow Jesus.*

Shino and his wife, Shanya, both from Somali Muslim backgrounds, are boldly sharing the hope of Christ with their people, primarily through online platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and their website. Their own lives were radically transformed by Jesus, and now they’re committed to helping others encounter Him too.

Their ministry isn’t without cost. “A Somali will say they are Muslim first, then Somali,” Shino explains. “So when my wife and I left Islam, we had people say to us: ‘You cannot be Somali’. This is how it is for those that choose to follow Christ. They lose their families, they cannot go home and they may lose their life.”

One young man named Abdi** came to faith in Jesus in Somalia after hearing Shino and Shanya’s teaching online. He’s now growing through their online discipleship program. But because of poor internet access and the danger of being discovered, Abdi walks nearly four miles each way just to join the calls. When Shino and Shanya offered to find a safer alternative, Abdi insisted: “No, I want to be with the team. It encourages me to see you, to know other believers, to pray together and ask my questions.” Committed, Abdi continues to make the long walk every week to join other Somali Jesus followers in fellowship and to grow in his faith.

Shino compares Somali believers to the widow in Mark 12 who gave all she had. “The believers in Somalia, they are giving up all they have, just to follow Christ, and we can all learn from their sacrifice.”

Please pray:

• For Somali viewers and listeners engaging with the gospel online, that they would hear the truth and believe.
• For Shino and Shanya to have wisdom and protection as they teach and share Christ’s love.
• For Somali believers like Abdi to grow strong in their faith and become lights in their families and communities.

Your gift today will be DOUBLED through a special Matching Donation. Multiply your impact and help share the hope of Jesus where it’s needed most.

You can sign up to receive our prayer newsletters here.

*Joshua Project

**Name changed for security reasons.