Dr. Wanjiru Gitau, assistant听professor of practical theology听and world Christianity听at 海角在线鈥檚 (海角在线) School of Ministry, attended the听听in Seoul, South Korea, and听participated听in a panel discussion on Africa鈥檚 growing role in the evangelical world.听
The Gospel to Everyone听
This听general听assembly is held every six years and features sermons, workshops, panels, and business meetings focused on encouraging and strategizing the spread of the Gospel message. It is one of the largest international evangelical events, with the听2025听gathering featuring听about 900 delegates from more than 120 countries, along with thousands of Korean pastors, scholars, and other church leaders in attendance. This year鈥檚 theme was 鈥淭he Gospel to Everyone by 2033,鈥� reflecting the organization鈥檚 goal听to have听the Good News reach every corner of the earth by the 2,000th anniversary of Christ鈥檚 death and resurrection.听
鈥淭he thing about events like this is you really see just how much God is doing,鈥� Gitau said. 鈥淚 am always animated, energized, and excited to participate in a global group of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue, worshipping the Lord Almighty together.鈥�听
Gitau participated in a panel closely related to the assembly鈥檚 theme,听titled听鈥淟iving the Gospel in Global Growth,鈥� which focused on recent听evangelical growth in Africa. This topic is close to Gitau鈥檚 heart because she was born and educated in Kenya.听She听spent several years of her career听participating听in an international research project, the Africa Leadership Survey, which assessed the governmental, societal, and cultural aspects of various African nations and their links to the church.听
A Refreshed Perspective of Africa听
鈥淚 am always doing what I can to help redefine the narrative of how people see and talk about Africa,鈥� Gitau said.听鈥淭oo often,听Africa is听portrayed听solely听through the lens of civil unrest or adverse natural conditions such as disease or famine.鈥澨齏hile she acknowledges these problems and their importance,听she believes more people听need to听be educated about the African demographic landscape, which she says has vast, untapped potential.听听
As the continent expands, the average age of the population becomes younger. This stimulates economic growth, creating听stability听and helping to build a new middle class. Gitau explained that people鈥攏ot resources鈥攁re Africa鈥檚 鈥渨ealth,鈥� and that they will help drive the continent toward greater development across all spheres. This fuels what Gitau calls 鈥渁 new scramble鈥� for Africa, in which different countries, industries, and media platforms compete to seize infrastructure opportunities across the continent.听
A Redefined Mission听
鈥淭he question is: If the rest of the world is re-engaging with Africa as a continent on the rise, what is the church doing?鈥澨鼼itau听charged.听
Gitau has studied the significant increase in church growth across all denominations in Africa. Instead of seeing this increase as a sign that missions are no longer needed, she sees it as an indicator that it is time for the global church to reinvest in already existing structures in the mission field. While she acknowledges that the听previous听era of missions was defined by pioneers entering听new territory听for the Gospel, she urges the global church to view 21st century missions as rooted in cooperation and partnership with established communities, churches, and development and humanitarian efforts.听Gitau believes听missions,听using these听principles,听can听benefit听the people in more ways than just spiritually.听
These missions would combine daily care鈥攁ddressing challenges such as health care, food supply, and educational resources鈥攚ith the spread of the Gospel’s message. Gitau dreams of a renewed effort by the church to help promote human flourishing, alongside providing eternal hope.听
鈥淎s far as Africa is concerned, I hope more and more of our students can听engage听there,鈥澨齭aid Gitau, who has been teaching at 海角在线 since 2021. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where the opportunities for these redefined missions鈥攐nes centered on solving human problems and finding a better way of bringing hope to people鈥攅xist.鈥�听
To learn more about 海角在线鈥檚 School of Ministry,听click听here.
