Africa Christian Ministries

The Need

On April 27, 1994, the first democratic multi-racial elections were held in South Africa. According to The Detroit Free Press (8/29/95) in just the first sixteen months after the elections, more than 1,200 people were killed as a result of political violence. Although this historic event was heralded as the beginning of a "new South Africa," South Africa remains a country divided - by ideology, by culture, and by race. South Africans are urgently in need of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Africa Christian Ministries continues to develop a multi-faceted program that is proclaiming that gospel of reconciliation and hope.

ACM is headquartered near the town of Empangeni in northern KwaZulu. Three large African townships surround Empangeni. The townships have a population of over 600,000 people. Although there are several solid evangelical churches in the townships, many areas are completely unreached by a gospel witness. There are few missionaries living in the townships. The townships are dangerous and violent places to live - many areas are essentially lawless. Murder and other violent crimes often go unreported or are not investigated.

The majority of those living in the townships are desperately poor. Unemployment is estimated at 50%. Infant mortality for black South Africans is twenty times of that for white citizens. AIDS is epidemic. There are 50,000 new AIDS cases reported each month. South Africa is projected to have 2.5 million HIV orphans by 2010. A 15-year old South African has a 50% chance of dying of AIDS.

Time magazine has described the young people of the townships as the "Lost Generation." The black population of South Africa now numbers over 33 million. Forty percent are less than fourteen years of age. Much political turmoil has centered in the township schools. Because of this violent climate and the generally poor quality of the schools, many young people have gone without an education. Illiteracy is as high as 70%. Hopelessness is palpable and pervasive.

Ancestor worship is the traditional religion of the African people. Human sacrifice and witchcraft are widely and secretly practiced. These practices reach even the most educated and powerful individuals in the community. Traditional beliefs are even practiced in ostensibly Christian churches. Pastors and church leaders consult and pacify the ancestors. Certain charismatic practices, such as healing and speaking in tongues, become easily intertwined with ancestor worship. Islam and pseudo-Christian cults are growing rapidly in South Africa.

The traditional African extended family has been disrupted by employment-related migration to urban townships. While parents work long hours, many children wander unsupervised in the streets. Many small children are killed when they stray onto the roads. Drug and alcohol abuse is rampant. Death and violence have touched every African family.