Threading Africa's Biblical Accounts to Early Christianity

Birth marker of Jesus - 'Church of the Nativity' South of Jerusalem

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past." - Micah 5:2 (NLT)

It was once stated about history that there is a vast difference between the historical and the historic. Everything that happens within a given space, time and place is historical. But only the significant is historic. Something that is historic points beyond itself to something much greater - in this case something to the paramount of Supreme Greatness!

The early church father Origen who wrote in 220 AD, documents that Christ was born at the right time, being in the right place. Rome ruled over what was known as the civilized world and it's reign took hold of massive amounts of real estate. By this they gained control which eventually developed means of transportation and communication. Jesus' birth leading up to His teachings and works then became revelations tied to events that was more than just neighborhood breaking news but rather spread to all corners of the empire starting from what appeared to have been an insignificant hill country better known as Galilee. Yet along these districts highways were constructed which connected Rome to it's far-stretched neighboring provinces. As we recall, Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem where His parents had had to go, like all others, for Roman census (taxation). And so here is where it all begins; According to the Gospel of Matthew after Christ was born His parents-for His own safety of being stalked down by Herod (district governor of the Romans)-had to flee to the continent of Egypt which we know is the northern region of Africa. This is the first New Testament documented tradition associating African soil with not just a pretty Christmas story but a fundamental event that shaped the momentum of early Christianity. Also keep in mind that Egypt was part of the Roman system. The Nile had been used as an important means of communication as well as an open route for lucrative forms of commerce. Mirrored as the advent to 20th century social media, it would be safe saying that the Nile River was then an impressive system that kept people in touch and informed.

Cyrenia and the Winds of Kingdom Expansion

Sidney Poitier plays Simon from Cyrenia in the classic film, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' - 1965

The thread of the African story line intertwines towards the end of Jesus' life, which at the time gained strong fellowship with His disciples. The oldest known account of the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark who was an eye-witness of the Apostle Peter, says that after His trial Jesus was lead to the place where He was to be hammered to a cross. On the way there He encountered a black man passing by the road named Simon from Cyrenia (Mark 15:21) who shared the burden alleviating the weight of that cross (Matthew 27:32). Note this, by the way, that Cyrenia was a Roman province located in Libya which is the northeast coast of Africa. Mark also mentions that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus which later we find Paul's letter to the Corinthians that notes Rufus and others, like Priscilla and Aquila who were tent makers like Paul (Acts 18:2-17), were reputable Christians from the regions of Alexandria. Interestingly Rufus, son of Simon, was singled out as being 'chosen in the Lord' (Rom.16:13) who was a member of one of many pockets of Gentile Churches that Paul was nurturing which were exploding as being pivitol igniting-posts expanding missions to the Gentile nations (Acts 11:20-21).

Another milestone of the Church's DNA tapestry mentions people from both Egypt (northern Africa) and Cyrenia sharing the Spirit of Pentecost where they received their commission to the mission fields accounted for in the book of Acts as quoted earlier. And of course a popular story of a baptism of an important government official who served in a Ethiopian palace (Acts 8:26-40). It's believed that the probability of this place was a kingdom called

Meroe, city of ancientCush (Kush) the ruins of which are located on the east bank of the Nile about 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Kabūshīyah in the present-day Sudan;

Meroe - According to the 4th century Church historian Eusebius, this Ethiopian official went by the name, Judich. As the story unfolds in Acts, the apostle Philip was to go meet Judich in the Gaza where he was found reading a passage out of the book of Isaiah which unknowingly pointed to the Crucifixion of the Christ (Isaiah 53:1-9). Philip expounded the passage to Judich and at his request to baptize him in a nearby river. Though uncertain as to the role Judich played in introducing Christianity to Meroe, yet history shows us that Meroe later developed into a prosperous and flourishing Christian kingdom that was situated in regions around the Upper Nile valley. The apostle Luke chronicles the progress of these events mentioned in more detail.

God Reigns in the Blood, Sweat and Tears of early Missionaries! - 1400-1900

Early missionaries to Africa

In my final observation, it appears to me, that through out Africa's past history there were countless heroic success in reaching them via missionary work in places like the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Elmina, Axim, etc., that were fertile ground for ministry ventured in the western hemispheres of Africa. And this success was faced tandemly with factors to failure- such as the raising tide of 7th century radical Islam in the north that conflicted established fundamental Christian doctrine, corrupt politics and ideology of religion and state, the local untrust to the tyranny of colonialism and lastley distractive incentives louring missionaries into becoming business men to the then profitable slave markets. These factors, were at times, noble objectives to meet the spiritual and economical aspects of Africa which was their original calling. But like oil and water that don't mix well, accountability to manage ministry projects failed to their original goals to remain faithful to being missionary. All of these presented oppressive economic circumstances. It eroded faithful missionary projects funded by European expeditions resulting in the victimization of indigenous people shackled between religious political power games at the expense of the Great Commission.

Compounding these dreadful challenges of the mid-eighteen hundreds was the spread of yellow fever, measles, small pox and Ebola finding Europeans, including priests and missionaries found rotting in what was known as the fields of death. As to Africa's response to Westernization, Europe brought a demand for western education appearing to benefit African communities but with it having destructive motives. So rather than being a positive development to Africa's well being, it was legislated to ensure European traders (trans-Atlantic Slave Stimulus) if a certain amount of Africans were literate - which unfortunately was encouraged to benefit lucrative business trends at the time. But through much difficulties and bloody travails positive change nevertheless did emerge out of ashes that eventually favored the African advancements as we shall well see...enough of the drama.

Thomas Birch Freeman was an Anglo-African Wesleyan minister, missionary, botanist and colonial official in West Africa.

So, in midst of graven circumstances and hidden agendas there were many breakthroughs displaying the miraculous providences coupled with wonderful work done by the Methodist in Liberia, the Ivory Coast and west Ghana between 1913-1915. The Quakers, known as the Society of Friends had incredible influence in their campaign against slavery and it's trade with a fervent intensity to establishing Sierra Leone as a free settlement in West Africa. Also adding fuel to that fire were the tenacious collaborative efforts of the Baptist Missionary Society, the Nova Scotian settlers, and Presbyterians that picked up the baton being relentless in continuing momentum. A son of an African father by an English mother, Thomas Birch Freeman (pictured) ) was drawn to Africa and determined to make an impact on a Church working in Cape Coast...and that he did. Eventually he established the Wesley Girls' High School in promoting the Advancement of the African Woman. I felt that Freeman was a realist. His convictions where not just the spiritual well being but also the intellect of young Africans in preparation for the approaching (at times harsh), socio-economic and cultural transitions. In 1876, the Wesleyan High School was opened. It changed its name in 1905 to Mfantisipim. He also was a strong advocate of raising up Christian as well as educational leadership that evolved from it's own blood. It's been said that Freeman was so influential in the birth of Methodism in Ghana, he could justly be regarded as its papa (their words). Freeman's fervent love for God, his people and the Great Commission, whether be direct or indirect in Ghana West Africa, was nothing short of huge.

From Hawaii to the Nations!

Kenya, Africa Team - Hope Chapel Honolulu, 2010-2017

Finally bringing it home, Hope Chapel Honolulu allowed me the opportunity to work with their Kenya team spearheaded by Mersa and Charlie Mixon - in that order :). Together we lay foundations for new churches as well as planting home churches/micro churches, water systems and providing eye clinics for people with eye and vision challenges. While there, I had the privilege to preach the gospel witnessing just over seven hundred wonderful Africans receiving Christ! God later open doors for me to return there as well as later visiting the Philippines to conduct seminars encouraging leadership and disciple making that acknowledges New Testament principles to extend the Kingdom in ways that are realistically approachable. It was introduced to me by an apostolic pioneer, Ralph Moore, founder of the Hope Chapel movement that reaches around the world. Regarding further advancements to the Kingdom I was recently informed that Samaritans Purse International trained men and women dry-land farming techniques as a response to its 2011-2012 drought in East Africa - just another addition to ministry work that have transpired and continues in Africa and abroad today.

This is the type of history that I want to be a segment of; an historic legacy that points to the One (Luke 4:16-21) who's Spirit was upon who declared the Gospel that blesses the poor, heals the broken hearted and setting captives free! A Gospel that teaches not only to be receiving but to be giving and to eventually be carrying it's own as a blessing to themselves and into their communities. I'm excited to be part of this wonderful team and it's legacy in carrying out our Lord's command to the preservation of remaining intentionally and authentically missional.

Wrapping it up...I promise!

In ending my brief research I'm convinced, in light of my own life, that it is historic of God who is known to work a good thing from the ashes caused by my own doing. During my earlier years I made every effort to ignore the reality of God, was hostile and cocky to the gospel that saved me from myself and a hell, mislead by empty philosophies and by my own self made demons. Now a believer, I eventually learned that in the Christian experience what appears to be odds working against us - may well be God that is working it for us to His glory. Though at times our faith will waver yet He remains to be faithful to carry out His purposes in a divided and fear driven world. And you know what? I believe that history points to God in fulfilling His purposes behind the scenes of present and future world events. It may do us well to remember living in a fragile, inconsistent and fallen world that the character of God remains consistent to work distressing things, that He did not create, yet turn it around for the good and that He remains the same yesterday, today and forevermore for our victory - because greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world (1John 4:4). I may not be flawlessly perfect, as you are, but as I look at my life today I humbly say that God is graciously good as His promises in my yesterday, my now, my future and into eternity!..to His glory.

I close this section with a quote from St Augustine and yet God's response to His ever prevailing sovereignty to the extending of His Glorious Cities in Africa, Philippines, the world, the Church and into our own personal lives.

St Augustine

The Church must bear in mind that among their enemies are hidden her future citizens; and when confronted with them she must not think it a fruitless task to bear their hostility until she finds them confessing the faith. In the same way, while the City of God is on pilgrimage in this world, she has in her midst some who are united with her in participation in the sacraments, but who will not join her in the eternal destiny of the saints...In truth those two cities are interwoven and intermixed in this era, and await separation at the last judgment."

The Apostle Paul, Romans 11:32-36 ( NLT)

For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so He could have mercy on everyone. Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! For who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.

Anna Julia Cooper

The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a political party or a class - it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity.