With some projections indicating the continent might be the next major hub of mission work—Africa is yet to robustly take the initiative in reaching the nations. Let me offer four reasons for this state of affairs.
1. We Lack a High View of God
Churches that have a low view of the glory of God lack passion, motivation, and zeal in reaching the nations.
What is the biblical motivation for reaching the nations? It is an appropriate vision of the majesty, power, and splendor of God. Biblical missions is motivated by the prayer of the psalmist,
Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness. And, guide the nations on the earth.
– Psalm 67:1
Churches that have a low view of the glory of God lack passion, motivation, and zeal in reaching the nations. They are easily discouraged by obstacles and challenges. They feel limited in means and ability because their God is too small and lacking instead of relying on God’s greatness and sovereignty (Isaiah 42:6–7).
2. We are Overly Reliant on Outside Support
Much is made of the unhealthy dependency on my beloved Africa in all sectors of life. Sadly, the term carries political connotations that evoke myriads of emotions. When the dust has settled, we can all agree that for various reasons, Africa has generally grown used to being on the receiving end of donations and “goodwill.”
The church and Christianity have not been exempt from this. As a result, there is a sense of resignation in some churches and Christians that we do not have to reach others, let alone send people and give money for the cause. Thankfully, some churches are waking up, and others are already on the race track reaching the nations with the good news of the gospel.
3. We Struggle Due to a Lack of Planning
In 1792, William Carey published his influential book, An Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, in which he makes the case that Jesus’s commission to go and make disciples of all nations is binding on all Christians of all ages.
There are many conversations on the obligations and the conversion of the unreached, but not as much conversation on the means of taking the gospel to the world. We discuss the why and not the how.
Many churches have come around to realizing we must make disciples of all nations, but clear planning and strategy of how to go about the work is greatly lacking. Questions on who to send, where to send them, how to send them, and what they will do when we send them, must be some of the conversations we have if we are to reach the nations as a church in Africa.
4. We Have Neglected Investing in Godly Men and Women
Some local churches have the desire and even the resources, but they cannot seem to find people to send. Those they approach are either unprepared for the task or unwilling to go. Churches that do not invest in training men for the work of missions will not be burdened or engaged in reaching the nations. Churches that see the need for laborers to accomplish the task of spreading the gospel invest in the men and women who will go out, spend, and be spent for the cause of Jesus.
Some local churches have the desire and even the resources, but they cannot seem to find people to send.
John Piper famously said, “Missions exist because worship does not.” Those who know their God and are passionate worshippers of him will in turn want to make him known. A high view of God leads to an extravagant love for him and an unwavering faith in him. It is these kinds of people who are on fire to reach the nations for Christ.
God desires to see his glory spread among the nations. Throughout history, whether by direct planning or through God’s supernatural provision, the church of Christ has taken the gospel where it is desperately and urgently needed. By God’s grace, we have already seen Africans work to reach the nations as Africa is making intentional steps to increase its missionary force. We can pray for more and more faithful disciples to be sent out from Africa to the nations.
Chopo Mwanza is the pastor of Faith Baptist Church Riverside in Kitwe, Zambia. He is a Lecturer at Central Africa Baptist University. He is married to Kunda and they have three children.
