HAVING A FRESH LOOK AT THE CHURCH IN AFRICA

NO LONGER A MILE WIDE AND AN INCH DEEP
For decades we have heard that the church in Africa is a mile wide and an inch deep. This statement is no longer true of the church in Africa. I have closely monitored the church in my travels and ministry through Africa during the past 24 years. It is no longer a dark continent.

In 1900 there were 8 million Christians (10% of the population of Africa). By 2000 there were 351 million (48, 4% of the population of Africa). Every sub-Saharan country is showing church growth. Africa is becoming a missionary sending force to the Western world. I have found, or know of churches in America, Europe, Asia, CIS and others, that have been planted by African missionaries.

WHAT IS THE NEED
Yet, Africa is in desperate need. If Africa is a sending force, what is it that we are so desperately in need of? We don't need the old style missionary from the West anymore, but we urgently need, in fact more than ever, outsiders to help us to contain the harvest and use this "kairos" moment to spearhead the greatest hour for the church in Africa. My email inbox is filled with letters from numerous African countries with "Macedonian calls" crying out to "Come and help us".

Gone are the days where the leaders are just asking for money. The plea is now for training of leaders to be developed for specific ministries. The enormous burden of HIV/AIDS is causing much despair and the political leaders in Africa are fighting a losing battle. Many of the secular NGO's are not producing lasting results and both government and church leaders acknowledge that the only lasting change will be through the church. Sadly, the church does not have all the necessary resources and infrastructure to manage the social problems in their communities. This is only due to a lack of training in management skills. The church is trying very hard to break away from their "bless-me-club" mentality into becoming salt and light in their communities. We have several examples where this has actually happened. Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town, is such an example.

A 'GOING' CHURCH
Right now, we are facing a "kairos" moment to equip a next generation of Christians that will not only go to church, but will be the "going" church. Unemployment is a huge problem in most Africa countries and many of these are Christians that could be trained and used within the church and community. In Khayelitsha, South Africa one church took 36 of their unemployed female members to care for AIDS victims.

I could go on for much longer, but allow me to conclude simply with this:

• The church in Africa is poised for enormous breakthroughs provided we have partnerships from the West to resource us with funding in order that we can become self-providers. No hand-outs.

• Funds must be accompanied by training, strategies and mentoring.

• We need partners who will enable us. We don’t want to become dependent and we do not request that the work be done for us. Enable us to do it for ourselves. Dependency will cripple us.

• We need partners who will help us believe in ourselves. Many well-meaning Christians from the West have come to show us how successful they are. This resulted in our people leaving Africa to go to the West where one can become "good, wealthy and strong."

I believe and know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is Africa's hour.
- Written by Danie Vermeulen

For previous front page articles please visit our archive section [click here]