Africa has long been associated with stereotypical imagery of exotic animals, remote landscapes, and thatch huts. But the people of Sub-Saharan Africa are rapidly redefining the reality of what life is like on the world’s second largest continent.
This region is comprised of 44 independent nations found south of the Sahara Desert. One billion Africans living in these countries come from over 2500 distinct ethnic groups, each with their own unique cultures and languages. Yet generally, people across the continent are hard-working, resilient, and generous. They value relationships, community, and respect.
Ministering in this massive, populous region doesn’t come without challenges. Some of them are logistical challenges like accessing hard to reach places, living in difficult conditions, political instability and corruption, the over 2000 different African languages and lack of education. Other challenges include misguided attitudes and teachings like dependency on aid and the false prosperity gospel. The majority of Africans claim to follow animism, Islam, or Christianity. However, in practice, many Muslims and Christians continue to hold on to their animistic traditions out of fear, confusion, and societal pressures.
In spite of this, we are seeing the Church continue to grow. In fact, it is estimated that by 2050, 38% of the world’s professing Christians will be in Sub-Saharan Africa. This estimate is due to Africa’s explosive population growth, most evident in the region’s congested cities and megacities. 60% of Sub-Saharan Africans will soon be living in urban areas.
This unprecedented growth provides numerous opportunities for gospel proclamation and Christian service. Such as: discipling believers, partnering with existing churches, training leaders and pastors, reaching unreached peoples in cities, ministering to refugees, meeting human needs and planting churches among the unreached and in extreme places.
Join us as we face the challenges and take the opportunities to proclaim the name of Jesus along the remote, dusty footpaths and throughout the noisy, urban streets of Sub-Saharan Africa. https://www.imb.org/sub-saharan-africa/