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Christianity Today, March, 2009 |

Making the Local Church a Hero

The untold success story of Willow Creek in Africa.

Mark Galli | posted 3/25/2009 02:02PM

I don't know when exactly Africa became a hot destination for evangelical concern. It might have been Bruce Prayer of Jabez Wilkinson's 2002 move to Johannesburg and later Swaziland to start Dream for ...

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Doug	Posted: April 08, 2009 10:51 AM


Small churches can do the same thing -- come alongside, encourage, help, pray. Here: http://www.swazilandrelief.org

David Lim

Posted: April 04, 2009 10:44 AM

Wow, this is wonderful to see local Christians being made the heroes! Now, let's see American churches move towards helping them to become self-sustaining through economic development projects. And better still, to help local Christians enabled to do community-based programs, so that their local community leaders may be transformed (no longer corrupt) and empowered (able to develop appropriate projects), as well as to generate local resources to support their strategic activities (even giving cups of refreshing water) in the name of Jesus Christ!

Matt	Posted: March 31, 2009 8:50 PM


Bazil. I understand there is a balance between preaching, and giving to the poor. However, we must remember the correct tension. First preaching, then giving to the poor. Giving to the poor is a secondary aim -- but none the less important. All I'm saying, is we must never lose focus of the primary aim of evangelizing -- preaching repentance and good news. Good discussion. Matt

Basil

Posted: March 30, 2009 10:45 AM


To Matt, Primary Needs can be meant to be read as physical needs in this context. Don't give a person food for their soul until you can also give them food for their stomachs. Scripture oozes with such sentiments James 2: 14-18 Yes, preach the gospel but if that's all you do than your faith is more Gnostic than Christian. A disdain for the physical needs.

Matt	Posted: March 28, 2009 4:17 PM

Betty, "We have seen over decades/centuries that the focus of preaching the gospel can be limited by cultural bias and lack of awareness of others' primary needs. We do know that Jesus had no such limitations." That's a very interesting statement, rife with humanistic propoganda. What are the others' "primary needs"???? Let us consult the gospel: Human race is in an utter state of sinfulness, and a wicked rebellion towards the High God of heaven. We as unregenerate heathens are in an evil and voluntary rebellion. But God in His great love, is calling all men, everywhere to REPENT OF THEIR SINS. What is the primary need of a person? To hear the Gospel, and repent of their wickedness. This is the "primary need" of a person.

Kim	Posted: March 28, 2009 2:04 PM


Great article! I hope people read this and realize that global poverty and HIV/AIDS aren't just a problem for governments and large relief organizations to solve but that every congregation has the potential to make an impact!

Stephen Leonard

Posted: March 28, 2009 10:47 AM

Mark Galli's premise that Evangelicals have only of recent years become interested and involved in Africa is peculiar and shows a remarkable ignorance of history. Does he mean that only lately have evangelicals with "media attention" become involved there? Evangelicals have been giving their lives in Africa for centuries and Willow's recent forays are only following in the footsteps of thousands who preceded them. Is Galli even aware that Tim Ziemer under the Bush administration, the President by the way that gave more compassionate concern and money to Africa than any American president in history, administered a huge program involving hundreds of millions of dollars to fight a greater enemy than HIV/AIDS in Africa, malaria! Ziemer is an evangelical and the son of missionary parents to Viet Nam. His father was an evangelical martyr in Viet Nam. I doubt very much the current administration will even continue the program despite the new president's heritage.

Betty Whitney

Posted: March 28, 2009 7:43 AM

Read this article after just returning from South Africa. It gives me encouragement in the Christian community's present approach to mission work. We have seen over decades/centuries that the focus of preaching the gospel can be limited by cultural bias and lack of awareness of others' primary needs. We do know that Jesus had no such limitations. Would it be helpful to be even more open minded and look at this article from the African perspective? They would probably not be counting the number of times "Willow" (Creek Church) was used, as did I, but they might wonder instead, what will be the future of their relationship with those coming in to support them. Can a group ever "just get out of the way" as was indicated in summation? Once a group impacts another group, there is a permanent connection. Let's assume it can be a positive one. Maybe even call it collaboration! A challenge: Coauthor with one of the African trainees, a follow-up piece actually including their perspective.

Dave	Posted: March 28, 2009 6:57 AM


Very informative article; Thank you for bringing such a great work (ministry of Willow) to your readers. I would like to add a footnote: Any article that focuses on the church-vehicle model should include Compassion International. CI is the leader and benchmark of the Church-focused model! In my opinion, they do more for less than any other organization in the world.

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