It is truly alarming to note the astronomical rise of Christianity in Africa. In the year 1900, a mere 9.6 million believers existed on the continent; fast forward to 2025, the number has exploded over 754 million. This surpasses the collective count of Christians from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Doubling down on this is the fact that Sub-Saharan Africa outpaces the world’s population-replacement birth rate. Stemming from the Christian commitment of these parents, a rich and growing legacy of the faith is passing onto future generations.
Yet, one must apply a lens of skepticism on these figures, as it does not account for the sincerity or fervor of the individuals practicing the faith. However, it is thought-provoking to note that African churches have shown remarkable resilience on issues concerning marriage and family – an area where Western churches have significantly faltered. These numbers, of course, fail to capture any spiritual reawakening that might stir these regions. So, one must question if we are prepared or even cognizant of this shifting spiritual landscape.
A major perception that people typically hold is to consider the West – namely Europe, the US, and certain Commonwealth nations – as the primary bastion of the Christian world. This belief stems from history; these regions were the cradle of Christianity and its associated major developments ranging from arts and science to education, and the initiation of the Reformation. Historically, these nations have dominated global Christianity for several centuries and initiated missionary work including Africa.
Despite this historical perspective, the adaptation of Christianity in the West has declined substantially. Rather alarming is the recent shift we observe where these Western nations no longer support, but in fact oppose fundamental biblical principles. This departure is starkly noticed by their African counterparts, whom the Western nations profoundly influenced.
An incident worth mentioning is the recent Pan-African Conference for Family Values that was hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, a platform for Christian faith leaders and advocates for biblical values from around the continent. The conference gravitated towards the overarching concern about Western interference in African familial norms and structures. The participants alleged that Western influences have done more harm than good to African families.
The primary cause of their resentment lies in the copious amount of Western aid that came with an agenda. The financial aid is perceived to be tainted as it encourages practices such as abortion, promotes an LGBTQ+ agenda, and threaten the African family system. It’s a far cry from the help they were hoping to receive. Adding to their grievances, the terms of such aid are rather coercive, inflicting pressure on African leaders to give in to western ideologies in order to receive the help they desperately need.
This trend beyond geopolitical influence and ventures into the spiritual domain, raising questions about the ethics of this western proselytization of values. The people of Africa, earlier the receivers of western missionaries, are now on the receiving end of the ideological warfare, pushed and prodded to accept a new ‘religion’ that challenges their belief system, originating from the same place they once welcomed missionaries from.
The flames of hope are kept alive by the African believers in these testing times. Their faith is unshaken, and they continue their services, whether in government roles, activism, or family support. Witnessing this determination, one cannot help but advise caution to Africans against blind acceptance of all things stemming from the West. Not all that the West exports is beneficial, and not all western visitors bring the same good intentions that the missionaries of yesteryears carried.
Transgressions of the Western influence were a common concern at the conference and fuelled deeper bonds among African followers willing to defend their own biblical faith in public spaces. The feeling of unity was pervasive and echoed the presence of a global Christian community, standing together in times of spiritual challenge. Even amid adversity, it appears the African community is not alone; they stand with believers worldwide.
Indeed, we all bear witness to the unity of the Christian faith, an entity unfettered by boundaries of language or geography. It is a network of believers striving to uphold God’s decree, each serving their purpose in their respective environment. The freedom of faith is a powerful narrative; hence the Christian community must ensure it remains undeterred in difficult times.
Above all, faithfulness to the word of God is of utmost importance. Whether we speak in English, Swahili, or any other language under the sun, it is essential that we testify to God’s will as intended. The biblical principle that man and woman are created in His image, destined for union through marriage, is sacred and should be upheld. This universal accord on sexuality and marriage must not be tampered with under any pretext, leading to spiritual distortion.
The nature of what we testify is apparent and straightforward. There should be no need to complicate an otherwise elementary understanding of our Creators’ instructions. The question, at the forefront of each believer’s mind, is whether we have the conviction and the courage required to uphold God’s truth, will, and command.
While it is invigorating to see a shift of Christian dominance from the Western world to Africa, it also comes with a sense of trepidation. The climb of Christianity in Africa should be celebrated, but not blind to the fact that this recent surge carries with it the burden of guiding a population through faith, resisting undue influence and maintaining its spiritual integrity.
The essence of the faith ought not to be toyed with or misshaped; instead, it should be defended valiantly in the face of opposition. The fervor with which African communities have held onto their spiritual stalwarts in the face of Western ideological pressure paves the way for a wider, global insurrection against the unwanted imposition of alien values. The shifting center of Christianity to Africa might very well be its strongest shield.
In conclusion, this rapid growth of Christianity in Africa is not just a change in demographic statistics, it’s a spiritual revolution. It’s the chance for a new center of Christianity to rise, steeped in strong traditions, and insulated from ideologically-driven external pressures. It is an opportunity for the Church to regroup, renew, and reaffirm its commitment to biblical principles globally.