Morocco

   Morocco has been a predominantly Muslim country for over a millennium. In 1912, it became a French protectorate, but it regained independence in 1956.

   The North Africa Mission (now Arab World Ministries) introduced Protestantism to Morocco in 1884. It was joined by the Gospel Missionary Union in 1894 and the Emmanuel Mission Sahara in 1926. Following the declaration of the protectorate, the Reformed Church of France established work that continues as the Evangelical Church of Morocco.

   Since 1956, Protestant and Free Church missionary efforts have met stiff resistance. A few groups were expelled, including the Gospel Missionary Union and the Emmanuel Mission Sahara. Most Protestants are expatriates. There are some 20 Protestant and Free Church groups with a total membership of around 4,000. The Evangelical Church of Morocco, the Anglican Church, the Roman Catholics, and several Eastern orthodox churches have created the Morocco Council of Christian Churches, which is affiliated with the World Council of Churches.

   Further reading:

   ■ David Barrett, The Encyclopedia of World Christianity, 2nd ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001)

   ■ Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, Operation World, 21st Century Edition (Carlisle, Cumbria, U.K.: Paternoster, 2001).