Evangelising Africa in the 21st Century: What it Takes to Create Impact and Convert Souls

Missionaries first arrived in Africa employing various strategies to convert native populations, such as providing education, healthcare and other civilizing services, that were often successful at drawing followers to Christianity. Recently, however, many of these duties have fallen to governments instead, leaving a lesser role for churches in these areas. Yet despite this shift in responsibility, churches continue to play an essential role in education and healthcare provision. Due to decreasing church attendance rates in Africa, churches need new methods of evangelism to attract and keep followers. I will share my own experiences on what has proven successful at engaging people and cultivating commitment to church attendance.

Church-run institutions across Africa have enjoyed significant success in providing education and healthcare services; yet these institutions attract far more attendees than church sermons do. As is often the case, parents choose a church-run school not because of any strong connection they may have to that particular congregation but due to some interest in its offerings. Thus, church-run schools typically attract more students and parents than congregants attending their Sunday services. Given this trend, churches must devise innovative means of reaching people with the gospel and keeping them committed to its teachings while still offering secular services. An effective ministry, like running a school, provides churches with an audience for conversion that falls within legal and moral parameters and without coercion. As students and parents attend the school, they may also be introduced to church programs through frequent attendance at church events and programs. Over time, some may eventually decide to join because they love what the church offers in terms of events and programs.

Churches often extend help to those in need regardless of religious affiliation, especially during times of natural disaster or famine when relief may be required, however, those seeking aid often have no interest in the church or its teachings. Despite this, churches should use these interactions as an opportunity to introduce beneficiaries to their evangelistic efforts. As part of their charitable and humanitarian activities during Nigeria’s December holidays, our ministry engages in charitable and humanitarian programs such as providing food, clothing and financial aid for those in need. No specific religion limits our efforts; our aim is to assist all individuals regardless of religious belief or background. Although it isn’t our intention to convert those we assist, these interactions sometimes spark interest in our ministry and its services. We believe this demonstrates the church’s potential to convert souls through humanitarian aid, and that as Christians it is our obligation to assist those in need. According to Matthew 25:36-40, on judgement day we will all be accountable for how we treated one another.

Christianity in Africa has been marked by division and separatism over time, particularly with regard to denominational affiliation. When Christianity first arrived on African shores there were only a handful of broadly comparable denominations present. Today there are an abundance of denominations and versions of Christianity; including Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Pentecostalism with numerous factions within each depending on varying factors that can often become contentious. These divisions and separatism have not brought people closer to Christianity; rather they have fostered secularism. So as a minister, what can you do in such an antagonistic continent to bring souls under Christ’s banner and maintain interest and commitment for his gospel message?

Effective strategies exist for maintaining unity within Christian churches despite differences among them. Education about the concept of the Church as the Body of Christ as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 may be one effective means of creating an atmosphere of belonging and unity among congregants, while Jesus’s words from Mark 9:38-41 reminding his disciples not to hinder other believers performing miracles in his name can serve as a helpful reminder that all believers belong to one spiritual community.

Ministers and religious leaders play an integral part in building unity among Christians. Instead of emphasizing the perceived superiority of their denomination, ministers and religious leaders should emphasize the Gospel’s core message while encouraging collaboration across denominations. As part of my ministry programs, I have worked to foster such cooperation by working alongside ministers from other ministries as well as organizing interdenominational events.

Ministers can play an essential role in encouraging unity and collaboration among Christians by creating an atmosphere in which Christians feel secure in joining any denomination – knowing they belong to a single spiritual community. When Christians see their ministers working harmoniously together, they’re more likely to feel inspired to join a church that aligns with their personal beliefs and values.

Churches play an essential role in building unity among their Christian constituents while meeting individual needs and interests of congregation members. By doing so, all will feel valued as members of the faith community they call home. Understanding the needs and desires of various demographic groups within the church – women, men, children and youth alike – as both collective groups and individual needs is of utmost importance. For instance, modern African women want their voice heard and to feel empowered. Ministers who limit themselves to preaching solely the Gospel without considering personal empowerment issues risk losing women to other gatherings that meet more immediate needs. Today’s society demands socioeconomic empowerment. By offering training programs within their church, women are more likely to remain committed and to continue receiving ministering. My ministry hosts training sessions on personal finance, starting economic ventures and securing funds – these training sessions not only empower women but also help maintain them within the Church community.

Women need to feel economically empowered, heard and have opportunities to use their skills within the church. While historically women have been passive participants in church settings, contemporary women aspire to participate fully without restrictions or reprisals from men or clergy members. I recently spoke with a woman from one church who expressed a wish to play musical instruments but feared approaching the senior pastor for permission due to gender prejudice. This is one example that taught me that ministers should provide opportunities where women can contribute without reprisal or prejudice from male ministers, thus further spreading gospel message throughout.

Furthermore, it is critical that churches acknowledge the traditional structure of church as it applies to women. Church has typically been structured around nuclear families – with husband serving as head, and wife and children as members – but this no longer provides a viable or ideal option in modern African society. If single women feel marginalized within church services, they may leave altogether in search of one which meets their needs better; to address this challenge churches must acknowledge and promote single women participating in activities without discrimination or prejudice.

Ministers who seek to empower women socioeconomically must also aim to edify them spiritually. Although some churches still prohibit women from serving as deacons or pastors, this has caused some women to leave or form new ministries outside the church altogether. For those unable to leave due to familial or sociocultural reasons, one option may be not attending church at all. As John 6:39 states, evangelism should ultimately aim at keeping all believers until the final day. Churches must meet the needs and address concerns of modern worshippers so as to not dissuade them but keep them engaged until the end of their worshipping journey. As an example, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) provides both model and classic parishes with means to meet different demographic needs and maintain a diverse group of believers through offering various worship experiences. Other churches should follow suit by responding to individual circumstances of their target population in this manner.

The modern African youth population merits special consideration. This demographic has unique needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional religious institutions. Young people tend to seek ministers and churches that accept them without prejudging their attire or musical preferences. Modern Christian music and pastors may appeal more to this segment than traditional hymns. Additionally, these individuals prefer young pastors or those who are socially aware that can deliver sermons through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Furthermore, young people often seek socioeconomic empowerment and desire assistance on how to gain financial success etc. Religious leaders must remain responsive to African society and adapt innovative solutions in order to keep youth involved with church activities, lest they find other options like clubs and parties that cater specifically to their interests.

As African ministers emphasize empowering women and youth, it is also imperative that they do not neglect men. By including diverse groups such as single women and youth in ministry activities that focus on elevating male members as leaders as well, a unified body in Christ may emerge – as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13. Currently there are fewer men’s ministries than women-centric ministries – so as affirmative action takes place to support women, affirmation should also include giving male members their rightful place within family, church and society – I make every effort as a woman minister to ensure my husband feels valued and honoured when doing ministry duties together!

Pastors should organize women’s conferences as well as mentorship forums where senior men within the church provide spiritual and socioeconomic support to younger male members. Given the realities of 21st-century Africa, ministers should employ a multifaceted approach when fulfilling their ministry duties beyond simply preaching the gospel for soul conversion. As most of Africa has already been evangelized, ministers today must meet the challenge of counteracting secularization while keeping church membership strong. While this article highlights my experiences and insights, it is important that ministers remain responsive to meet individual and community needs and circumstances as best possible.

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© Victoria Oladipupo, 2023.

This work is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

Cover Image: Supplied by the author.