Page 257 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

The Twentieth Century and Beyond

3. Every believer should be taught how to fulfill the mission of God
personally. Lazarus Chakwera has written a book entitled Reach
the Nations: A Biblical Mandate. Every person in every church
should read this book. The late John York taught us that God’s
desire to bless every nation on earth is the theme of the Bible. It is,
in fact, God’s mission (missio Dei). Johannes Blauw said: “There is
no other church than the church sent into the world, and there is
no other mission than that of the church of Christ” (121). Bruner
adds: “The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning”
(quoted in Van Engen, 27).

4. Training must be a major priority for every church. Walking
through the centuries and doing research for this course has
reinforced a strong conviction. Where leaders are Spirit-filled and
biblically trained, the church fulfills its mission. Training must be
given the resources needed to empower the church.

5. The church must prove that it is a powerful force of compassion.
The fate of Africa depends upon the church taking the lead in facing
the challenge of AIDS, poverty—lack of adequate food, water, and
shelter. The church must confront injustice while it intercedes for
brothers and sisters who are dying or are severely persecuted
because of their faith, and it should expose modern slavery. In
short, wherever people walk in darkness, we must take the light.

In this textbook, I have attempted to give adequate evidence that
Jesus Christ had Africa in mind when He promised to build His church
(Matthew 16:18).

Often, the question is asked: Why is the church growing so rapidly
in Africa, Latin America, and Asia? John Bueno, Executive Director of
Assemblies of God World Missions from 1997 to 2011, answered this
question in an article he wrote for the Pentecostal Evangel (October 5,
2008). There he cites reasons why the people in these areas experience
phenomenal church growth:

• They emphasize and practice the priesthood of the believers.
• They prioritize ministerial training.

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