The History of Christianity in Africa: a devotion on Africa’s legacy

From an Africa Study Bible article titled “The History of Christianity in Africa”:

Africa is one of the most dynamic centres of Christianity worldwide. Africa has a significant share of the world’s 2.2 billion Christians. It has about 30 percent of the world’s evangelicals, 20 percent of the world’s Pentecostals and charismatics, and about 15 percent of the world’s Roman Catholics. In addition, Africa has significant Orthodox groups. 

Christianity was well established in North Africa in the first few centuries after Christ. From there, Christianity moved deeper into the heart of the continent. The challenge by Islam and African traditional religions deepened the faith of believers. The fifteenth century was a turning point when Catholicism from Portugal circled the continent. The modern missionary movement and indigenous African Christian movements of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries built upon these earlier foundations. Contemporary Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity has brought a renewal to the church in Africa. Churches of Africa in the twenty-first century are missionary-sending churches spreading the gospel around the world.

Since independence, a large African theological fraternity of both Catholics and Protestants has emerged. The church in Africa also has a new missionary zeal, moving around the world in migration and mission. This new era of African missions is still in its infancy, but it promises that the story of Christianity in Africa, begun in a quiet corner of Alexandria, Egypt in the first century, is now a global movement changing the world. 

Today:

Praise God for working across Africa throughout history. Pray that we would boldly proclaim our vibrant faith to the world, leaving a legacy of biblical teaching and leaders of integrity. Pray we would humbly listen to the Spirit and learn from others.

Congratulations!

30 days ago, you joined us on a journey through the Africa Study Bible. Now, you have reached your destination. Thank you for walking with us. We hope that each day gave you fresh insights as you began to see God’s Word Through African Eyes. 

We've been praying for you on this journey. Read what our supervising editor, Dr. John Jusu, prayed for everyone who would read the Africa Study Bible here. Do keep in touch too. You can find out more about Oasis International and the Africa Study Bible here. God bless you!