Africa: Beachhead amid Unrest

Amid all the tumult and unrest in modern Africa, one astonishing fact emerges: a vigorous evangelical Christian community of nine million persons bears its witness between the Sahara desert and the Union of South Africa. Those who predict the demise of the African Church in the turbulence of the struggles for independence may have dismissed too quickly the faithful labors of missionaries since the days of Moffat and Livingstone.

Two-thirds of a billion persons may inhabit the erstwhile “Dark Continent” and Madagascar by the end of the century. The question is, “How many will be Christian?”

For convenient study, the continent of Africa has been arbitrarily divided into the area north of the Sahara desert, where Mohammedan influence is strongest; central Africa; and the Afrikander-controlled Union of South Africa. The Union of South Africa has its own strong national Reformed church with a program of evangelistic outreach, and does not encourage the entrance of missionaries who do not support the government policy of apartheid. Population here as elsewhere is indicated by the most recent figures available.

NORTH AFRICA

CENTRAL AFRICA

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Midwest Primaries, Taiwan’s Ukraine Lessons, and Abortion Pill Case

Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

Indiana and Ohio hold primaries, Trump travels to Beijing, and the Supreme Court considers the abortion pill.

Review

The Lies—and Truths—That Keep Some Black People Out of Church

A California pastor’s book confronts the painful parts of Christian history but points to the healing power of the gospel.

Review

Are Near-Death Experiences Evidence for Heaven?

Three theology books on the afterlife.

Thrifting to the Glory of God

Ann Byle

Shopping secondhand and donating our own items echoes Jesus’ renewal of discarded lives.

‘No-Kids Zones’ Abound in South Korea. But Kids Aren’t Pests.

Ahrum Yoo

In a country with one of the lowest fertility rates in the world, children are seen as a nuisance. But they are a blessing that can pierce the idols of efficiency.

News

Sudan’s Civil War Destroyed Hospitals and Churches

Emmanuel Nwachukwu in Khartoum

Local doctors and Christians are trying to rebuild lives in the capital city.

News

Iran Tensions Threaten Kenya’s Largest Export Industry: Tea

Moses Wasamu

Christian farmers struggle to avoid bankruptcy.

Q&A: Douglas McKelvey on Gen Z’s Lack of Rites of Passage

The Rabbit Room’s newest prayer book urges readers to join God’s mission in young adulthood.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube