AFRICAN NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Preview: ANI National Mobilization Strategy  What is an African National Initiative?  The unique nature of ANI  The four most strategic purposes of an ANI  Three foundational purposes in ANI development  Three essential elements of an ANI  Nine important components of an ANI  Four brief case studies

What is an ANI? An undertaking by the National church to carry out the Great Commission ‘to make disciples of all nations (peoples)’ A process that unites churches & ministries to evangelize the nation & engage in missionary outreach to least evangelized peoples beyond its borders. A process in which churches & ministries develop a shared vision and work together to complete the task.

A National Initiative is Unique To be effective they must be unlike any other church or ministry structure in the country. They are:  Unique in purpose function and role  Birthed in a unique environment – in a ‘Kairos moment’  Require a unique leader and leadership style

Unique Purpose, Function & Role They are developed in in response to the need for a dynamic function not being provided effectively by any existing church or ministry. The rationale for their formation is that they are needed to address a challenge not being met effectively by any other agency. To act as a catalyst or change agent – different from church structures they are to change.

Birthed in Unique Environment - a ‘Kairos moment’ The birthing of a ‘new baby’ or creation of a ‘new wineskin’ takes place in a unique political, ecclesiastical, economic and social environment in the life of a nation. ‘Still births’ occur when these realities are not considered or the mid wife forces the birth.

Require Unique Leadership A unique kind of leader and leadership style is required. A leadership style very different from that found in most churches and ministries. Visionary, servant leaders who can visualize the Nation discipled. Men with a clear and strong call from God and the conviction that it can be done!

The Four Most Strategic Purposes 1. A pioneer church planting (PCP) movement within every major language and cultural group in the Nation. 2. A saturation church planting (SCP) movement multiplying healthy churches to transform the Nation, 3. A ministry dedicated to recruiting, training and sending missionaries, 4. A movement to involve churches and individuals in global missions.

Three Foundational Purposes: We also need…. 1.Denominations to encourage every congregation to disciple their members and challenge them to active ministry; 2. To develop united prayer for transforming churches for evangelism and mission; 3. To see all churches and ministries networking and partnering together to achieve objectives.

Three Essential Elements Experience shows that before you can mobilize all churches in a nation the leaders of major churches need to: 1. Agree on common goals. They need to accept as their own the goals that, when attained will fulfill the vision. 2. Share factual information about their mission. They need to hold in common the same accurate, up-to-date information on Harvest Field, the Harvest Force and the task yet to be done. 3. Commit themselves to networking and partnering together. They need to work together in a coordinated effort to complete the task.

Nine important components: Though African National Initiatives may develop in a variety of ways in different countries, there are some components that will be common to most, if not all. 1. Visionary and proactive servant leaders - men of faith who can translate vision to reality. 2. A National Coordinating Committee which represents major denominations which partner together.

Nine components (cont.) 3. Clearly defined measurable goals related to the fulfilment of the Great Commission. 4. An initial assessment survey of the Harvest Force and Harvest Field. 5. Consultations and National Congresses for denominational and ministry leaders. 6. Goal setting and ownership.

Nine components (cont.) 7. Ongoing research and analysis. 8. Widespread participation and cooperation. 9. United Prayer and functioning prayer networks

GOD’S GLORY Whole Church, Whole Gospel, Whole Nation A Healthy Church in Every Community PCP (Strategic Start) SCP (Transformation) Common Vision Mobilization Missions – National, Regional & Global Common Information Commitment to Partner Leaders Committee Goals Assessment Consultations Ownership Research Cooperation Prayer Denominations Discipleship Local Churches

ANI – Case studies  Zimbabwe National Evangelism Task – primary focus Saturation Church Planting  World Evangelisation Network South Africa (WENSA) – primary focus Missions Mobilization  Finish the Task – Kenya – Initial focus Pioneer Church planting and transition to Saturation Church planting  Ghana Evangelism Committee – Initial focus Church renewal leading to Church growth, Church planting and missions.

Zimbabwe National Evan. Task  Chairperson: Rev. PF Moyo (President of the National Baptist Convention of Zimbabwe)  Launched by 60 denominations in 1992  Primary focus saturation church planting  National research process  10,000 churches planted in 8 years; 1,200 outside the country  Regional training consultations

WENSA – South African Initiative  Peter Tarantal – Director, World Evangelization Network- South Africa (WENSA) Leader - Global South Movement, Operation Mobilization  Primary focus - mobilizing S.A. churches for mission  Links 18 mission and church networks  Connects 25 major denominations and 40 national ministries  Annual national consultation and many regional consultations  National research process launched

Finish the Task - Kenya Bishop Dr Stephen Kabachia – Founding Chairman Presiding Bishop Agape Churches MANI East Africa Regional Coordinator  Launched in 1997 following GCOWE 97  Brings together major denominations and ministries from both mainline and Pentecostal persuasions.  Initial focus – Kenya’s Unreached Peoples and missions mobilization  Additional focus – Saturation Church planting.  National Church Survey led to setting of a goal of 30,000 churches by 2010

Ghana Evangelism Committee Very Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Immediate past: Chairman - Ghana Evangelism Committee Chairman – Christian Council of Ghana Moderator – Presbyterian Church of Ghana  A committee of major denominations and ministries first constituted in 1974 and reconstituted 2009  Initial focus – Spiritual renewal in mainline denominations, every member evangelism and discipleship, church growth and church planting.  National Church Surveys in 1989 & 1993 launched a focus in un-church areas and unreached peoples.  3 rd National Church Survey in progress

TABLE DISCUSSION Discuss the 4 strategic priorities in ANI. Which is most urgent in your country? 1. A pioneer church planting (PCP) movements within Least-reached People Groups. 2. A saturation church planting (SCP) movement to multiply healthy churches. 3. A ministry dedicated to recruiting, training and sending missionaries. 4. A church movement for global missions.