Missionaries in Africa Bring Help and Hope
With more than 1.2 billion people living on the continent of Africa, many need help. These people live across 54 countries, from south to north African communities. Missionaries in Africa can bring that help. Even more, they can bring the hope these people truly need.
Africa’s population continues to grow rapidly. According to demographic studies, this growth puts more pressure on already limited resources. To respond to these needs, we must look at the major challenges the continent faces. According to Global Young Voices, Africa’s top issues include:[1]
- poverty
- poor education
- ill health
- violence
- hunger
- sustainable agriculture
- nutrition and food security
- access to financing
- slow economic growth
Each of these challenges affects millions of families. Women and children often suffer the most. Clean water, medical care, and education remain out of reach for many.
The huge and growing population is putting a heavy strain on resources in almost every African country.[2] This pressure adds to long-standing problems. These problems have existed in many of these nations for decades. Violence and corruption have made the situation worse. They have weakened both local leadership and infrastructure. Missionary involvement in Africa is needed now more than ever. Water is scarce. It is often far away from the people who need it most.[3]
The first recorded missionaries to sub-Saharan Africa arrived in 1490. Yet Christianity had been present in other parts of Africa, off and on, since about 50 A.D.[4][5][6] In the 19th century, one of the most significant missionary movements emerged. The Society of Missionaries of Africa, commonly known as the white fathers, was founded in 1868 by Cardinal Lavigerie, who served as Archbishop of Algiers.
Early missionaries focused mainly on spreading the Christian faith. The White Fathers took their name from the white robes they wore. These robes were based on traditional North African dress, helping them connect with local people. In more recent times, Christian missionary work also has a strong humanitarian side. Christian missionaries in Africa long to bring the Good News of Jesus. At the same time, they seek to show God’s love through practical help. They provide physical aid wherever they can.
Cardinal Lavigerie was a man of deep faith and vision for Africa. He devoted his later years to fighting the slave trade, conducting campaigns across Europe in 1888 to expose the horrific conditions faced by enslaved Africans. His passion for human dignity and freedom inspired many to join the fight against this evil practice. The white fathers he founded carried this same commitment to both spiritual and social transformation across the continent.
Long before any European colonization, missionary work in Africa often meant pioneering. It meant exploring new areas. Outsiders had never seen or experienced these places before.
“The London Missionary Society sent David Livingstone to South Africa in 1840. There he became one of the first Europeans to traverse the continent.” This is what Ariel Marcus of Center for Research Libraries reports. “When Europeans began to colonize central and southern Africa toward the end of the century, international coordination featured prominently. It featured in both missionary and colonial projects.”[7]
Missionaries in Africa have a long, complex history. It is closely tied to the political ups and downs of colonization and exploration. That history has been marked by tragedy and conflict. Yet it has also produced much fruit for the Kingdom of God. Today, the continent of Africa has approximately 684,931,000 Christians who profess their faith.[8] God is at work across Africa. Yet much help and hope is still needed. This rapidly growing population needs more workers.
In response to these needs, we felt called to seek God. We asked Him about ministry opportunities in Africa. God has recently opened doors for GFA World to expand into Africa. Our work began in Rwanda.
This work will follow GFA’s missionary model. We raise up national missionaries from the very countries where we serve. Then we plant them in the mission field of Africa. There they can walk closely with African churches and other local churches. This approach has worked well elsewhere. In many nations, local leadership does not allow missionaries from other countries. It also strengthens community-based missionary activity. This activity grows out of everyday relationships.
Training and commissioning a missionary from their own home country offers many advantages. First, it is cost effective. Financial support can go farther. This is because GFA missionaries live very simply. Second, it is compassionate. A national missionary already knows the language and culture. These are part of who they are.
Their ability to communicate in the most loving way possible is key. This helps them share the good news with people. Many of these people may have never heard much of Jesus Christ. With fewer cultural barriers, they can quickly relate. They can connect with those they are serving.
It’s possible to sponsor a GFA missionary for just $45 a month. This small monthly gift makes a huge difference. Most importantly, once you as a sponsor receive the name and photo of one of these special missionaries, you can pray for them regularly. You can bring them before our Father in heaven.
You can help GFA World expand into Africa with more national missionaries by becoming a monthly sponsor. Through your giving, these missionaries receive the support they need. They can walk into places like the slums of Kigali, Rwanda. There, some of the most vulnerable people in Africa live. Your partnership enables them to serve families who have nowhere else to turn.
As the population of Africa continues to grow, more workers will be needed. The fields are “white for harvest” (John 4:35). Please help GFA World stay ready with national missionaries. They can bring practical help. This includes clean water, education, slum ministry and care for those with leprosy. Most importantly, they can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through God’s grace, they demonstrate His love in action.
In addition to your generous gift to support a GFA national missionary, please pray for those training missionaries. Please also pray for those who are considering such training. Jesus said that “the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37). With 1.2 billion people on the African continent and many different languages and cultures, national missionaries are needed. They come from those cultures. They can make a difference for God.
Be a Kingdom builder with Jesus through GFA World. Your prayer and support can help change the face of a continent. Through faithful giving, you partner with God’s work across Africa. Together, we can bring lasting hope to those who need it most.
Learn more on women missionaries[1] Boutros, Christina. “Top challenges facing Africa today.” Global Young Voices. https://www.globalyoungvoices.com/fast-news-blog/2016/5/5/top-challenges-facing-africa-today. Accessed November 26, 2022.
[2] Degn, Emily. “15 Facts about Poverty in Africa.” The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/15-facts-about-poverty-in-africa. April 6, 2018.
[3] Ibid.
[4] “The Story of Africa Christianity.” BBC World. https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/8chapter3.shtml#:~:text=In%201490%20the%20first%20missionaries,)%2C%20and%20baptised%20the%20King. Accessed November 26, 2022.
[5] “Missionaries in Africa.” Enclycopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/missionaries-africa. Accessed November 26, 2022.
[6] Eusebius of Caesarea, the author of Ecclesiastical History in the 4th century, states that St. Mark came to Egypt in the first or third year of the reign of Emperor Claudius, i.e. 41 or 43 A.D. Meinardus, Otto F.A. “Two Thousand years of Coptic Christianity”, p.28. Accessed November 26, 2022.
[7] Marcus, Ariel. “CRL Resources on 19th-Century Christian Missionary Work in Africa.” CRL. https://www.crl.edu/focus/article/6696. Accessed November 26, 2022.
[8] “Status of Global Christianity 2021, in the Context of 1900–2050.” Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. https://www.gordonconwell.edu/center-for-global-christianity/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2020/12/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2021.pdf. Accessed November 26, 2022.