The Church in Africa
Even though Christian communities have existed in many nations of Africa for decades - even centuries - these churches have often been culturally isolated from inland people groups, and have had little vision to reach them. There are several reasons for this. Islam established itself strongly in the northern regions of the continent and its southward expansion has been inexorable at times. Economic hardships and lack of adequate transportation and communications systems have also impeded the spread of the gospel. In many parts of Africa, rural communities have been so isolated that it had been difficult for teachers of the Way to minister there.
The Great Commission
And yet, when we stand before Jesus, He will be much more interested in what we were able to accomplish than in our reasons for not doing as He asked. Jesus commanded His followers to reach the lost world with the gospel and establish communities of believers (Matthew 28). He also made it clear that the power of the Holy Spirit would enable His followers to carry out this commission (Acts 1:6-8). ACFI accepts this command as a challenge and as a primary responsibility of the church. It is only by carrying out this command that the lost world can be saved.
ACFI Response
The "Outreach Commission" entrusted to the church deserves prompt execution. It is for this cause that ACFI exists and functions. Since its inception, ACFI missionaries, evangelists and gospel workers have ceaselessly preached the gospel, born witness of Jesus to the unreached and unevangelized, discipled new believers, and established churches based on communities of believers. In the last fifteen years, more than 300 churches (local congregations) have been established in five countries, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana and the Cote d'Ivoire. In addition, many strategic outreach posts and preaching points have been identified and attended to.
The Goal of ACFI
It is the goal of ACFI to reach the entire continent of Africa with the gospel message. Our strategy? We use what were once quaintly called "Native Missionaries". Our experience has shown us that, in many cases, a 'near neighbor' is often able to be a more effective witness to someone than a 'distant neighbor' is able to be. There is, of course, always a role and a place for the 'distant neighbor' to fulfill - think of Paul preaching to the philosophers in Athens - but indigenous proclaimers of the gospel have the potential to be enourmously effective in reaching out to people similar to them - think of James and Peter in Jerusalem in the weeks following Christ's resurrection. Indigenous witnesses to Christ are capable of travelling to isolated villages; endure the ravages of war, and identify with people in their poverty and hunger in ways that "distant neighbors" find almost impossible. This approach has proven successful in reaching and touching the lives of many who might otherwise have never heard the name of Jesus.
Though seven years of civil war has devastated the country of Liberia, this gospel outreach is still very effective. About 700 full-time gospel workers, including missionaries, evangelists, pastors and teachers are involved in the outreach ministry. Hundreds of souls are won to Christ. Local churches are being established and strategic preaching points maintained.
Ministering in Adversity
The degree of sacrifice involved in proclaiming the gospel message only deepened as a culture of war took root in Liberia. The Director of ACFI Outreach Ministry, Evangelist Rancy Kieta, reports that gospel workers have been so hard hit by the civil war that they can hardly feed their families. They are completely destitute. Yet, because of the constraint of the love of Christ, they continue to witness in the name of Jesus in spite of their suffering and the extreme hardship.
A Call for Rebuilding
Though the civil war appears to be coming to an end, and the sound of guns has lessened, the culture of war persists. Life has not returned to normal. The task of restoration, of reconstruction, of reconciliation lies before us, looming large and urgent. The fields are ripe for the laborers, but the laborers are few. Many gospel workers have been killed in the war. Others have fled into exile. Home have been destroyed, families are separated, lists of missing people abound. Some will, no doubt, be found in the many displaced persons center and refugee camps; others will never return to the field. Please pray with us for the Lord to send forth His workers.
Prayer Needs
Please pray with us for:
- The outreach ministry as a whole
- The leadership of the outreach ministry, that God would give wisdom and guidance
- That the hearts of listeners at our strategic preaching points would be softened by God's Spirit
- That newly-established churches and believers would continue to grow in strength and maturity
Practical Needs
The following items are in short supply in this ministry
- study Bibles and other reference books
- gospel tracts and literature
- transportation for evangelistic trips - bicycles, motorcycles, buses, pick-up, buses, vans
- communication equipment - microphones, projectors, gospel films
- tents for evangelistic meetings
Other Ways You Can Help
- Sponsor a missionary, evangelist, or gospel worker - $50/month
- Make a short-term mission trip