Why Do We Need Christian Missionaries in Africa?
We need Christian missionaries in Africa because the continent has a booming population of young people who have not yet met Jesus Christ. In 2016, Africa was home to about 1.2 billion people. About half were under the age of 15.[1] Africa’s population continues to grow and crossed 1.5 billion in 2024. Seventy percent of sub-Saharan Africa is under the age of 30, creating unprecedented opportunities for ministry.
This creates an unprecedented opportunity in sub-Saharan Africa for an entire generation. In particular, those who have yet to hear much about Jesus can encounter His love. Believers share the Good News. They open God’s Word together. Communities grow as they follow Him across this vast mission field. Over 7,400 unreached people groups exist worldwide. Many of these people groups lack adequate resources to spread the gospel in their own languages.
The concept of unreached peoples is central to Africa’s spiritual need. These are communities where there is no indigenous body of believers large enough to evangelize their own group without outside help. An unreached people group has less than 2% evangelical Christians, the critical mass needed for self-sustaining faith communities.
The Gospel Coalition also sees this immense potential. It says, “God is calling the churches of Africa to be missionary-sending churches. Africa should be both an important launching point for sending workers and a think tank for missions issues. For the church in Africa, the twenty-first century is an age of mission opportunity, responsibility, and challenges.”[2]
African churches are experiencing remarkable growth. Christianity in Africa has grown from 10 million in 1900 to over 685 million today. Yet many regions remain without churches or believers who shared the gospel with them.
Believers from African churches, local fellowships and global missionary society partners are praying. They long for Christians in nations such as South Africa and throughout the rest of the continent to recognize how God can use them. This applies both in their own neighborhoods and in other lands. They walk humbly with others. They reflect Christ’s love in everyday life.
In southern Africa and across the continent, local churches are training their own members to serve as missionaries. These indigenous workers understand the cultural context, speak the language, and know the customs.
In addition to the spiritual opportunities that abound in Africa, there are also real physical hardships that many people face. Health care, water scarcity, and education are top issues. These grow as the population grows. Demands on resources increase.
Four hundred eleven million people in Africa lack basic drinking water. Water scarcity affects one in three people. This crisis creates cascading health challenges.
For example, the growing population further stresses water resources on a continent largely known for its arid landscape. This makes access to water a pressing issue. More than 90% of Africa’s population faces water insecurity. Women and children bear the heaviest burden. Girls in sub-Saharan Africa spend 200 million hours daily fetching water, time that could be spent in school.
When missionaries demonstrate Christ’s love through meeting practical needs, people see the Gospel in action. A well that provides clean water becomes a testimony to God’s provision.
GFA World has a long history in Asian countries. We work through national missionaries and local churches. We meet similar, immense needs that threaten to overwhelm many nations. We have recently expanded to serve in Africa as well. We need partners to help support this much-needed work.
National missionaries live simply and serve among their own people, making their ministry both cost-effective and culturally appropriate. They already understand the language, customs, and daily challenges their neighbors face.
GFA World’s national missionary model is ideal for Africa. In this model, willing men and women from Africa who long to share God’s love are raised up. They are trained and sent into the places of need. This process has started in Rwanda. By God’s provision, it will continue to expand into more and more African countries.
National missionaries are from the regions in which they serve. They already know the local language and culture. These can so often be a barrier for missionaries coming from another country.
National missionaries require less financial support, meaning donor funds go further. They face fewer restrictions and can serve in areas closed to foreign missionaries. They preached the gospel and demonstrate God’s love through practical service.
You can support this work by sponsoring a GFA missionary for just $45 a month. You will be paired with a missionary. You will receive a profile of him or her. Most importantly, you will learn how to pray for them in this vital work.
Your partnership can and will make a difference in the missionary’s life. It will make a difference in the lives of those they serve. These missionaries will address people’s physical needs and spiritual needs. This will bring life transformation to many on this growing continent.
Your monthly support provides essential resources for missionaries to live and serve effectively. More workers are needed to reach the millions who have yet to hear. Will you join us?
Learn more on missionaries in Africa[1] Bish, Joseph J. “Population growth in Africa: grasping the scale of the challenge.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/jan/11/population-growth-in-africa-grasping-the-scale-of-the-challenge. Accessed November 26, 2022.
[2] “Africa Can Lead Missions This Century.” The Gospel Coalition. https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org/article/africa-can-lead-missions-this-century-africa-study-bible. June 1, 2022.