Martin and Lid have been serving in Nigeria since September 2015. Their journey with SIM first began in Ethiopia. After taking time for maternity leave, a sabbatical and a Home Assignment, they found the door to ministry in Ethiopia closed in 2013. They prayerfully sought God’s guidance for where He would lead them next. 

Their initial move to central Nigeria was challenging, as it took almost two years for them to feel at home. However, this period of discomfort was preparation for their eventual move to the city where they have now lived for nearly eight years. Despite the difficulties, they have come to see this least reached community as their home.  

Throughout their time in Nigeria, Martin and Lid have faced numerous challenges, including bouts of malaria, serious health issues with their younger son, the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of loved ones. Lid explained, “The lows have perhaps driven us to our knees more often than the "good" times, but we have always seen Him to be faithful.”  

They have experienced God's faithfulness in various ways, from healing and safety during potential road accidents to unexpected blessings like extra electricity during extreme heat. “He comes alongside us and meets us. We don't always see the outcome we had thought best, but He has given us strength to trust in the midst of His best for us,” she shared. They have also seen God work through people who have supported them in times of need. 

One example of God's faithfulness occurred when their youngest child, Arabella, was born. Staying in a guesthouse, they were connected with a fantastic Nigerian doctor and received support from the guesthouse staff. After Arabella's birth, Lid faced a post-delivery emergency. During this challenging time, another mission worker staying at the guesthouse, whom they barely knew, stepped in to cook for them and care for their boys. Lid said, “It was a clear picture of how God cares for us even when we don't know what we need, He does and He is always faithful.”                                                                                                                  

Their journey with SIM has also been marked by unexpected blessings. Initially serving in Ethiopia, they fell in love with the people and the ministry. However, during their Home Assignment in 2013/14, Martin's ministry with vulnerable children and orphans was closed down, leading them to Nigeria. In 2020, God brought four Ethiopian families to their city to work among an unreached people group nearby. Martin and Lid were able to use their previous experience to help these families settle, bridging cultural and language gaps. 

A Heart for Prayer  

Martin and Lid's heart for prayer has been a cornerstone of their ministry. Inspired by her mother's fervent prayers and the passionate prayers of local Ethiopian believers, Lid has organised various prayer ministries and activities within SIM Nigeria. These include a monthly prayer calendar, prayer days, periods of prayer and fasting, and specific prayer nights at the annual conferences for the SIM Nigeria team. She also introduced a prayer room at the conferences and an annual prayer theme for all SIM mission workers in Nigeria. 

In recent years, Lid has introduced a scripture-based prayer method called the 4/4 Pattern, which involves praising, responding, requesting, and gaining encouragement from scripture as the team prays. “I do this method regularly with both our local team and some Nigerian women,” she explained. Additionally, Martin and Lid have started a local Sunday school where they teach Bible lessons and incorporate prayer into each lesson. 

Martin and Lid firmly believe in the importance of being dependent on God ‘by prayer’ in every ministry endeavour.  They believe any attempts apart from being reliant on God are of little value in global mission. They also emphasise the importance of collective prayer within the body of Christ. “God has created us to be a part of the body of Christ, so if we are not praying together, we are so much weaker,” shared Lid. Praying together strengthens them and allows them to stand as a united front in the spiritual battles they face. Being aware of and praying for other peoples' needs enables them to support each other effectively. 

Following the last prayer night at the team’s annual conference, one of the mission workers expressed to Lid that they were encouraged to believe that God would intervene in a long-term challenging situation. “We also prayed very specifically as a team for our administration needs including a new field director for SIM Nigeria,” said Lid. “Up until that point there had been no candidates, but once we took time to pray together, a candidate emerged, and we were able to appoint a director by the New Year.”  

Lid's personal walk with God has also been transformed through prayer. The 2024 SIM International 10 Days of Prayer focused on revival reignited her desire for a deeper connection with the Lord. Through devotionals, worship and repentance, she began to sense God's presence in a new way. She discovered the Lectio365 prayer app and other resources from the 24/7 Prayer movement. A SIM learning café on hearing God's voice, led by Neil Miller, further deepened her understanding. She also studied two books on prayer which introduced her to a Word-based, Spirit-led method of praying. 

These experiences led to significant changes in Lid's ministry approach. “All of these things in combination have led to personal transformation and change in the way I do ministry in general,” she explained. She felt inspired to pray for unity within her local church by praying with Nigerian women. She and Martin also started a Sunday School for children in their small church, which grew from six to thirty children in less than six months. This growth was a direct result of prayers related to how to help their children connect with God in the local church setting. Lid describes this new approach to ministry as less about striving and more about being tuned into the Lord and cooperating with His plans, leading to greater peace, trust, and fruitfulness. 

In Martin's outreach ministries, prayer plays a vital role. The ministry conducts weekly outreach to local brothels in their city. Once a month, instead of going out, the team dedicates time to pray. “This was begun and initiated by some of the female volunteers for the ministry,” said Martin. “Since they began these prayer times, more women have actually left the brothels and recommitted their lives to Christ. They have travelled ‘home’, been reunited with their families and been assisted to set up small businesses.” 

Martin and Lid have also been intentional about praying for finances for the outreach ministry. As the ministry expands, there are always more needs and opportunities than the small team can handle. Praying for finances has resulted in financial partners giving unexpected donations, allowing them to address urgent needs. 

Having partners in ministry who support them through prayer around the world is crucial for Martin and Lid. “If we did not have people supporting us in prayer the battle would overtake us,” shared Lid. Martin and Lid have seen the profound impact of prayer on their lives and ministry. They have seen God’s faithfulness at work in the provision of strength, wisdom and breakthroughs by relying on Him through prayer.  

GO: Do you have a heart to share the Gospel in a least reached community? Start a conversation with a Mission Mobiliser today by visiting sim.org.au/talktous.  

PRAY: Do you want to become a prayer partner for Martin and Lid or other SIM mission workers? Visit sim.org.au/pray to learn more.