“God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours.” David Livingstone
On March 14, 1841, the famous English missionary David Livingstone arrived in South Africa as a missionary determined to evangelize Africans. The astute Scot would spend about 15 years in the interiors of Africa, evangelizing the people and exploring the land.
Over 17 decades after David Livingstone arrived in Africa, the tide of missions is turning towards the West. The “dark continent” has once again kept the light alive as Herod’s rod of persecution strives to extinguish the light of Jesus Christ. As huge cathedrals in the West empty out, African churches have increased exponentially.
The Dunamis Church, a charismatic church in the heart of the capital city of Abuja, Nigeria, boasts a 100,000-capacity auditorium that regularly overflows. Across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and other African countries, the gospel of Jesus Christ is rising despite persecution in some areas.
The college campuses have not been left out of this revival. For example, on college campuses across Nigeria, it is not uncommon to see thousands of students praying every Sunday and during weekdays. The college campuses have been a fertile ground for breeding young apostolic and prophetic voices that have risen over the past few years.
African missionaries to the West
Just like Europe sent missionaries to Africa many years ago, African ministers are currently being sent the evangelize the West. Once seen as Christian regions, Europe and America have been blinded by prosperity. Ideologies have replaced God. The paganization of the West is in full swing, evident in the institutionalization of the murder and sexualization of children, the celebration of pride, and the rejection of Christianity. Once banished by faithful believers, the old gods have crept up again, setting up their thrones of iniquity in the cities of Europe and America.
The paganization of the West contrasts with the rising Christianization of Africa. Thus, the need for missionaries from Africa to the West. The largest churches in England today are owned by Africans.
I watched in awe as Nigerian minister Apostle Joshua Selman ministered in a packed AO Arena in Manchester a couple of days ago. For three days, the 21,000-seater auditorium was full of people worshipping and listening to the word of God. There were miracles, healings, and salvation of souls. Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), a church in London, pastored by Nigerian preacher, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo currently has 12,000 in attendance every Sunday.
As old Western cathedrals empty out, missionaries from Africa, full of the zeal and fire of God, are moving to the West to establish churches and evangelize the people. African students are also leading a number of campus ministries in Western countries.
A couple of weeks ago, I had a short conversation with an American student on campus. She argued that Africans are Christians due to colonialism. I quickly refuted this fact because Christianity was in Africa before Europe. The Ethiopian Bible is older than the King James Bible.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a Western idea. This movement began in the Middle East, moved to Africa, and then to Europe before it spread to Asia and then back to Africa. This movement that began on Pentecost is now returning to Europe from Africa and Asia.
I believe that before Jesus returns, there will be a mighty outpouring in the Western world. Though hell rages, the light of Jesus will surely prevail.