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Issue 79 : African Apostles: Black Evangelists in Africa

Originally published in 2003
Issue 79
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Table of Contents
  • The rapidity of Africa's twentieth-century baptism was stunning. There's no better place to see the future of the global church.
  • It's an indelible image: the white missionary venturing into deepset Africa. But the real story is what happened when African converts relayed the gospel message in their own words.
    Dr. Ogbu Kalu
  • Bishop Before His Time
    Samuel Ajayi Crowther's consecration as the first African Anglican bishop looked like a great leap forward for the church. But the talented ex-slave collided with the roadblock of racism
    Ted Olsen
  • To Henry Venn, a mission's only purpose was to render itself unnecessary.
    Ted Olsen
  • Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God, said the Psalm. Yet racism in the mission churches clouded that vision. James Johnson (1836-1917) offered a solution.
    Ted Olsen
  • The Brilliant Career of Joseph Kiwanuka
    Over the protests of a divided church, the scholarly Ugandan priest became the first African Catholic bishop. Just three years after his death, 12 more Africans would follow in his footsteps.
    Sarah E. Dahl
  • Apolo Kivebulaya, a convert from Islam, bravely preached to witch doctors, hostile chieftains, and Pygmy tribes.
  • William Wade Harris - a Liberian activist - left an unsuccessful local ministry to trail across the Ivory Coast. In 18 months, he baptized 100,000 converts.
    Elizabeth Isichei
  • William Wade Harris was one of several indigenous Christian leaders who took an open approach to polygamy. They cited social conditions and biblical support.
    Elizabeth Isichei
  • East Africa's second generation Christians faced that age-old spiritual problem - dullness of hearts. Simeon Nsibambi's message of a victorious life sparked a revival that continues today.
    Mark Shaw
  • Simon Kimbangu’s brief but powerful ministry inspired faith in Central Africans and fear in white authorities.
    Steve Rabey
  • Known for their fidelity to prayer and confrontation with the spirits of indigenous religion, West Africa's Aladura churches grew from the radical faith of a group of visionary leaders.
    Elizabeth Isichei and Robert Schirmer
  • Two South Africans changed their country by linking their church with an African American church
    Joan Millard
  • Mahay Choramo faced down hardship and violent opposition to the murderous nomads of Ethiopia's southern frontier.
    Aaron Belz
  • Many are telling the continuing story of the African church. Here are some of the best renditions.
    Collin Hansen and Chris Armstrong
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