AFRICAN MISSIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF PAST, PRESENT
AND FUTURE GLOBAL REALITIES
MANI Conference, September 6-9, 2011
Abuja, Nigeria
Presented by Delanyo Adadevoh
AFRICAN MISSIONS BEFORE CHRIST
We can look at missions before Christ by looking at what
God did through Africans.
1. Pharaoh’s daughter saving Moses from the water.
2. An African wife coming alongside Moses during the
exodus.
3. An African was commanded by Joab to take the news
about Absalom’s death to David (2 Samuel 18: 19-32).
“May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise
against you to do harm, be like that young man!” (v. 32)
[Note the African art in communication]
4. Africans served in the palaces of kings in Israel.
Jehudi during the reign of Zedekiah, and Ebed-Melech
(Jeremiah 36: 14; 38: 7)
5. An African served as a prophet of God.
Zepheniah, the son of Cushi (Zephaniah 1: 1)
6. Africans took initiative to protect God’s people and
plans.
Ebed-Melech saved Jeremiah from the pit (Jeremiah 38: 713)
8. Africa served as a place of refuge for God’s people
and God’s plans.
~ Joseph and the rest of Jacob’s family
~ The nation Israel during its period of formation
~ Abraham and Sarah
~ Moses after his escape from Egypt (went to Midian and
Cush/Ethiopia according to the Book of Jasher)
~ Jesus during the reign of Herod
AFRICAN MISSIONS DURING THE TIME OF
CHRIST
1. Mark was a Jew who came from North Africa.
2.
Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry the cross was
from present day Libya. He most probably was a Jew.
1. Jesus was taken to Egypt for protection.
I called my son out of Egypt. (Matthew 2: 15)
AFRICAN MISSIONS AFTER THE TIME OF
CHRIST
AFRICAN MISSIONS DURING THE TIME OF THE
APOSTLES
1. Africans were present on the Day of Pentecost.
2. Africans were part of the team of prophets and
teachers.
Simeon of Niger was part of the team that prayed and sent Paul
and Barnabas on the first mission to Europe. (Acts 13: 1)
3. Africans were seeking to understand the gospel.
The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8)
4. African leaders allowed religious freedom.
Candace of Ethiopia allowing her Minister of Finance to go and
worship in Jerusalem (Acts 8)
AFRICAN MISSIONS IN THE EARLY CHURCH
1. Africans were involved in shaping orthodox
Christianity.
~ St Augustine
~ Tertullian
~ Athanasius
~ Clement of Alexandria
2. Ethiopia was one of the first three Christian states in
history.
The Church in Ethiopia was established around 353 AD.
Why did the early African Church in Tunisia, Egypt,
Sudan and Ethiopia not evangelize the rest of Africa?
1. Over-culturalization/contextualization
2. The challenges of Islam
3. Finances
4. Lack of adventurous interest in the rest of Africa
AFRICAN INVOLVEMENT IN THE ERA OF
MODERN MISSIONS
1. The past two centuries have seen modern missionary initiatives
that have virtually evangelized much of Africa.
2. The resulting denominations carried some significant Western
cultural values and practices that encouraged the launching of the
Africa Independent Churches movement.
This movement grew in the colonial and independence era.
3. Post colonial Africa has seen an unending launching of new
African led missionary and denominational movements across the
continent.
4. The scope of African missions is now global.
5. There is a growing emphasis on the development of
leaders for the church in Africa who are both scholars
and practitioners.
6. The leaders in Africa are being developed not only for
Christian ministries in the church but also for the
market place.
7. Africa is helping provide leadership for the church
around the world.
AFRICA’S UNIQUE CONTRIBUTIONS TO
MISSIONS TODAY
1. Biblical Christianity.
2. Holistic approach to missions.
3. Focusing on completion of the task.
THE CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO
AFRICAN MISSIONS
1. In depth biblical discipleship.
2. Effective leadership in the church.
3. Engagement of society in promoting good stewardship
of Africa’s resources.
4. Partnering with government and other units of society
in promoting development based on Christ centered
values.
5. Islamic vision and drive for Africa.
6. Rallying around a common continental plan.
GO NORTH!!!
GO NORTH!!!
GO NORTH!!!
GO NORTH!!!
What should be the unique
contributions of Africa to
missions?
Quelle doit etre la contribution
unique de l’Afrique a la mission?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS