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African evangelism encompasses the spread and reception of Christianity across the continent, highlighting its rich spiritual heritage and community values. This exploration traces the origins of Christianity in Africa, focusing on historical centers like Alexandria and Carthage, as well as the revival of African spirituality and prophetic movements. We delve into various streams of evangelism, including missionary work, African Instituted Churches, and modern Pentecostal practices. The influence of international evangelists and the dynamics of community life demonstrate the complexity and vibrancy of African evangelical practices today.
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Evangelistic Practice – Africa. Jan. 12, 2011. Emmanuel AyodejiOkegbile
African evangelism. • African evangelism in this context is the spread and response to Christianity in African continent.
Christianity and Africa – The Christian Church entered Africa in the apostolic age. The two popular centres were Alexandria and Carthage.
God in African belief/Spirituality – Unique in heaven, on earth, and supreme over all. Obedience to God forms the foundation and all-governing principle of community and life for Africans.
. Knowledge of a God (force) – The Creator, King, Omnipotent, all-wise, all-knowing, all-seeing, Judge, Immortal, and Holy.
Representation of God through ATR – (Traditional resources of supernatural succour). Africans are bound together as a community through language, traditions, religious beliefs and practices – sacrifice and issue of deity, festival and harvest celebrations, naming, marriage, and burial ceremonies.
Introduction and revival of western Christianity in Africa: Three historical streams constitute African evangelism and evangelistic practices:
Missionary: Roman Catholic and Protestant evangelism – catechism, school, medical evangelism, and other social actions. • Impact of Enlightenment and Africans response.
African Instituted Church evangelism – • Re-awakening of African spirituality and prophetic campaign through the vitality of the presence of Holy Spirit with emphasis on holiness, worship, vision, prophecy, healing, miracle, prayer and fasting. • The practice and spirituality of the Christian calendar year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost).
Classical African Pentecostal evangelism – Apostolic movements, Aladura churches- Apostle Babalola, Ositelu, Harris.
Pentecostal evangelism – Full blow evangelism based on apostolic teachings and practices (Traditionalism and institutionalism to spiritual warfare).
Modern African Pentecostal/Charismatic evangelism (Born-again preachers and impacts of the students’ Evangelical movements of the 1960s and 1970s) – Idahosa, Kumuyi, and Adeboye in Nigeria, Mensa Otabil in Ghana, Moi in Kenya, Simeon Kayiwa in Uganda, Ezekiel Kuti and Andrew Wutawanashe in Zimbabwe.
Impact of International evangelists/and use of electronics: T.L Osborn, Billy Graham, Benny Hinn, Bonnke, Morris Cerullo.
Common theological patterns and evangelistic practices in Africa. • Christ as the Saviour. • Christ as the Baptizer. • Christ as the Healer. • Christ as the soon coming King. • Priesthood of all believers – Apostle, Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist and Prophet. • Spirituality of the community life and Christian calendar year.
Common evangelistic practices/ teachings. • Holiness – repentance from sin (through the Holy Spirit). • Preaching God’s laws and stirring the consciences of the hearers with God’s demands (Acts. 3:19). • Apostolic teachings and practices – fellowship, breaking of bread, prayers and fasting, signs and wonders, praise, Holy Ghost service (Acts 2:42 – 3:1). • Meal sharing, hymns, word, revelation, speaking in tongue, interpretation and prophecy (1Cor. 11:14). • Others – Laying of hands, use of anointing oil, water, deliverance, prosperity etc.
African evangelism and its impacts in the western world – • UK: Ashimolowo. • Ukraine: Adelaja. • USA: Adeboye.
African evangelism and the next Christendom – evangelising the North (African Bishops and Lambeth Conference). • Consecration of gay bishop and African bishops opposition.