Africa
Countries in this Region
Africa represents a beautiful mix of traditional African tribal groups, Arabic descendants, Indian, Malaysian and European ethnic groups. Other implanted ethnic groups, such as the Chinese, present great opportunity to reach them with the Gospel. African Traditional Religions and Animism remain as the greatest religious belief system, as Islam continues to spread southward throughout the continent. Major ministry initiatives include the purposeful target of reaching the lost and planting churches throughout the Contested Zone where Islam meets the rest of Africa. The opportunity to freely plant churches in that region extending from West Africa to East Africa exists today, but may not be there tomorrow.
Partnering with other missionary sending churches and nations is a another major ministry initiative. These partnerships include forging strong relationships with missionaries coming from Hong Kong, Brazil, Spanish speaking countries, and Europe. ABWE is strategically investing in these partnerships to maximize a concerted effort of evangelism and church-planting on the continent of Africa.
ABWE ministry focus remains on the priority of church-planting through culturally appropriate evangelism methods and discipleship. Evangelism and church planting are enhanced through ministries such as compassionate healthcare, pregnancy crisis centers, schools for the disabled or blind, Christian schools, feeding centers, orphan care, and literacy training, among others.
Leadership training for the churches and various ministries is also a high priority. Training pastors and church leaders is a high priority ministry initiative. Mature African leaders are very capable of reaching their own and planting churches when they have the training and the right tools. Equipping these men and women with the Theological training is the goal of each of our fields. In South Africa, the Church Ministries Institute (CMI) and Baptist Bible College of Natal (BBCN) are preparing men and women for church growth. In West Africa, the Baptist Academy of Theology in Africa (BATA) is being developed to meet a wide need for trained leaders. In East Africa, Theological Education is one of the greatest needs to strengthen churches with leaders but who have little Bible training.
Another major initiative within various countries is to address the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Local churches are being taught to help meet the great need of those without hope. Christ is the only answer for those with AIDS. ABWE missionaries are developing ministries that will minister to these with no hope for the future.
There are many other opportunities for ministry on the Dark Continent, as the door is open in most countries to minister openly and freely. Other countries present themselves as “Window Opportunity” countries allowing us to serve their people while modeling the Christian life through daily interaction with people. Many more missionaries are needed to open these “window opportunities” and make a difference.