Page 244 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

A History of the Church in Africa

indigenous leaders, an automatic “no” to requests for resources can be
interpreted as a lack of compassion and deficiency in friendship. To
use the model of Jesus Christ and truly ask the question “what would
Jesus do in this situation” is to move toward a more solid New Testament
relational paradigm.

Full partnership means mutual servanthood and brotherhood. Mike
McClaflin, close friend and colleague and Africa Regional Director for
the Assemblies of God World Missions
from 2003–2013, points to John 17 and
calls for spiritual unity, purpose, and
Full partnership commitment to servanthood in all that

means mutual the Lord Jesus taught. For the missionary,
it may mean that he or she does not have
servanthood the final word on current issues. For

and brotherhood. African leaders, it may mean accepting
the missionaries in biblical brotherhood
in order to accelerate the fulfillment of
the Great Commission. Brothers may not
always agree, but they should refrain from being disagreeable and refuse
to allow conflict to hinder the advance of the Kingdom. Contemplation
of the potential impact on Africa when we implement brotherhood is
staggering.

Nigeria

The record of the Assemblies of God in Nigeria is a classic example of
the establishment of an indigenous, New Testament church.

In 1939, J. R. Flower and Noel Perkins from the Assemblies of God of
the United States of America were traveling through Africa to present a
report to the General Council. During their journey, they had a stop-over
in Lagos. When some Nigerians at the customs office learned where they
were from, they asked if the visitors had ever heard of an experience
called the “baptism in the Holy Spirit.” Flower and Perkins replied that
they had received their baptism and were part of a growing fellowship
of Pentecostal believers. The Nigerians were excited to compare notes.
Some followed them to the hotel to continue the conversation. When a
hotel employee showed them a copy of the Pentecostal Evangel and asked
if they had seen the magazine, the brethren explained that it was the

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