Africa Christian Ministries

Historical Overview

Africa Christian Ministries has grown out of the vision and leadership of Isaiah and Mercy Mafu. The Mafus are from the Zulu tribe in South Africa.

Isaiah and Mercy entered the United States in 1979 to further their education. Before coming to the United States, Isaiah served for six years as a hospital chaplain and church pastor. Isaiah graduated from William Tyndale College in 1985, and completed his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership at Eastern Michigan University in 1990. Mercy graduated from the nursing program at Madonna University in 1990. The Mafus have two children, Ndumiso and Ziphozomusa who were born in the United States.

In November 1984, a small group of believers who shared the Mafu's vision for a special ministry in South Africa gathered to begin to pray and to plan for the project. This was the beginning of a unique partnership ministry. The initial vision was for a multipurpose camp and conference center. Ministry programs would be under the direction of national believers. International partners would act as facilitators rather than as overseers of the ministry.

Africa Christian Ministries was formally incorporated in the United States in May 1986. That summer, a local Zulu chief granted the ministry a valuable site near the Indian Ocean. The long and difficult process of gaining formal South African government approval of Africa Christian Ministries and permission to build was initiated at that time. The first South African Board was also established in 1986.

The Mafus returned to South Africa in December 1990 to begin development of the ministry.

A formal dedication service for Africa Christian Ministries in South Africa was held in July 1991. Approximately six hundred people, including representatives of many important community and national leaders joined in the celebration.

Despite the ongoing challenges of political and social upheaval, the ministry has grown dramatically. Africa Christian Ministries has developed children's programs that reach nearly 600 young people each week in after-school Bible classes. Morning devotions in three local schools (Gubhethuka, Ncombo, and Mabuyeni) reach up to 1,200 children.

Land preparation and a small auditorium/kitchen were completed on the ACM Conference Center site at Gubhethuka in 1997. Two large army tents were purchased in 1998 to shelter Sunday fellowships at Kwamashesha and Gubhethuka. These Sunday fellowships have grown to become Grace Evangelical Church (GEC). An auditorium, seating 150, for the GEC/Gubhethuka fellowship was completed in the summer of 2001. Additionally, a 350-seat auditorium for the GEC/Kwamashesha congregation was finished in early 2002. His Royal Highness, Goodwill Zwelithini, King of the Zulus, dedicated the GEC/Kwamashesha building in March 2002. Further ministry growth is dependent on the development of trained leaders. Plans are currently being developed to establish a Bible School at Kwamashesha. A six-classroom training center is urgently needed for on-going leadership development, discipleship ministries and the new Bible school.