The Kono Mission: A Story of Miracles and Resolute Faith
Deep in the eastern territories of Sierra Leone live the Kono people—a group of around 500,000 individuals. This population is overwhelmingly Muslim or Animist and has long been one of the most resistant groups to the Gospel in the region. Living here is a challenge: there is intermittent power, very few roads, and limited modern infrastructure.
Yet, against these odds, God has called two extraordinary individuals to lead this mission. Their stories are not just about church planting; they are about lives transformed by the power of the Word.
Meet the Missionaries
The Coker Family: A Faith Forged in Fire
Isatta Coker, a native of Sierra Leone, is an experienced church planter who understands these communities deeply. Her commitment to Christ is deeply personal; raised in a Muslim household, she suffered significantly when she chose to become a Christian as a teenager.
Isatta and her late husband, Fred, dedicated their lives to mission as a family, establishing the largest SDA school in Guinea, West Africa during an Ebola outbreak, and planting many thriving congregations among Muslims and Animists.
Fred Coker was tragically killed in a road accident in March 2025, and at the funeral over 1,000 people attended, including government officials, religious leaders, educational leaders, and community members. Most of those attending were Muslim. His death was viewed as a great tragedy by the Kono people, who had seen in the Cokers a ministry of love and care that they had rarely experienced before.
Isatta and her family remain resolute in their calling. Isatta continues to lead an essential women's ministry outreach among the Kono. This work is especially vital in Muslim communities, where she trains Bible workers to reach Muslim women directly within their households.
Niouma Leno: From Occultic Power to Pastoral Service
Pastor Niouma Leno's journey is nothing short of miraculous. As the eldest son of an Animist high priest in Guinea, Niouma was being trained to inherit occultic powers as a high priest himself. Everything changed in 2005 when he met Adventist missionaries and chose to follow Christ. After completing seminary training, he served as a public evangelist and pastor for AFM in Guinea and now leads the growing SDA congregation in the Kono territories, together with his wife and their four children.
Together, the Lenos and the Cokers represent a wealth of experience in winning souls among Animist and Muslim communities in West Africa. Ministry among the Kono focuses on youth, teens and young adults, as they are the majority population sub-group. The missionary team established a Berean Bible Club, and then a Pathfinder group to bring the gospel to the Kono youth and young adults. Today, a thriving congregation has been established, led by Pastor Niouma Leno, with Isatta Coker leading the women's ministry component of the ministry.
A Divine Appointment
The mission's presence among the Kono began with a clear sign of God's leading. When Isatta's late husband, Fred Coker, first visited the Paramount Chief of the Kono people to introduce their work, he brought three books as a gift: The Great Controversy, Steps to Christ, and the Bible.
To Fred's surprise, the Chief was shocked. The Chief revealed that he had seen those exact three books in a dream the previous night, accompanied by a message from God to bless whoever brought them. Because of this divine appointment, the Chief welcomed the mission with joy and granted the land necessary to begin this work.
A New Chapter with AMI
While this mission began under a different organization, it has reached a pivotal transition point. Adventist Frontier Missions (AFM) has decided to close the Kono Project effective March 2026, and is handing over the land to the Sierra Leone SDA Conference.
However, the work is far from finished. Advent Mission Institute (AMI) is officially stepping in to support and manage the project, ensuring that Pastor Niouma and Sister Isatta can continue their vital ministry. We are working in close collaboration with the Sierra Leone SDA Conference, which considers the Kono people a top missiological priority.
Future Plans
With the missionaries established on the ground, AMI is looking forward to cooperating with the Sierra Leone SDA Conference to conduct evangelistic series, medical missionary outreach, training local health professionals and caregivers, lead Vacation Bible Schools, and support Pathfinder outreach among the Kono people and unreached neighboring people groups. This work will be done through short-term mission trips from AMI to Sierra Leone, open to any Adventists who wish to participate in front-line mission, ministry and soul winning for the Lord.
How You Can Help
The missionaries are on the ground and ready to work, but they cannot do it alone. To ensure this mission continues without interruption, we are seeking support for the following urgent needs:
- Monthly Project Costs ($9,300/month): This covers missionary wages, health insurance, local Bible worker stipends, and essential transportation.
- A Project Vehicle ($60,000): The original vehicle was destroyed in the tragic accident that took Fred Coker's life. A reliable 4WD vehicle is required to navigate the rough Kono terrain.
This life-changing work is only possible through Donor Ministry. Your support ensures that Pastor Niouma Leno and Isatta Coker can continue reaching those who have never heard the name of Jesus. By supporting the Kono Mission, you are not just funding a project; you are standing with proven, local missionaries who have sacrificed everything to share the Gospel.
