Fri, 19 Feb 2010 - After a successful but controversial military coup of Niger took place Thursday, Assemblies of God missionaries to the African country of Niger have all been reported safe, according to AG World Missions.

Many believe the coup or some type of action has been coming since Niger President Mamadou Tandja chose to "rule by decree," extending his own presidency to a third term and dissolving the country's parliament last June.

A day after the coup, reports are that the capital city of Niamey is running as normal, only with tanks and other forms of military presence scattered about the city.

"We praise the Lord that all is calm today in Niamey," says AG missionary to Niger, Brent Teague. "The stores are open and there is light traffic on the streets. We have no reports of any of our brothers or sisters in Christ having been injured in the fighting. We are thankful for God's hand of protection. We had a curfew last night and will wait to see if it is declared again for tonight."

"This is simply another example of why it is vital to keep our missionaries covered in daily prayer," says John Bueno, AG World Missions executive director. "We never know what our missionaries are going to face in the next hour - but God does!”