Jesus Christ the only hope for Africa

Greetings

Dear guests, Dear Delegates, Brothers and sisters of Faso,

May the grace and peace of God our Father and Jesus Christ our Saviour be upon you.

As would say the Psalmist: “ How wonderful it is, how pleasant for God’s people to live together in harmony! It is like the precious anointing oil running down from Aaron’s head and beard, down to the collar of his robes. It is like the dew on Mount Hermon, falling on the hills of Zion. That is where the Lord has promised his blessing, life that never ends ”. (Psalm 133: 1-3).

On behalf of the Executive Committee of AEA, I greet the presence of each one of you at this 8th General Assembly of AEA. Through you, I greet the countries, the churches and organisations you are representing.

Being at the end of my mandate, I take this opportunity to thank the national associations, the associate members, the particular members and individual members for the trust placed and renewed on me as the president of AEA for more than 10 years.

I thank all the members of the General Council, Executive Committee, the General Secretary and his assistant with all the staff at Nairobi for having facilitated my task.

I am also expressing my gratitude and my appreciation to all the project and commission leaders of AEA for their commitment and faithfulness. May all the glory and honour be to our Lord!

A sad remembrance

My sisters and brothers, many of you will remember for a long time the 7th General Assembly of our Organisation. The least we can say is that at the school of the Holy Spirit, we are always learning. We have only to know how to learn our lessons, to learn how to listen and be sensible to his voice.

I must admit that our 7th Assembly did not end in an atmosphere of a true brotherly love. Our last elections were not bathed in a sea of love. Instead, they were characterised by fleshly strife with a pressure which did not resemble at all to the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This resembled to that is going on everywhere around the world each time that positions or functions are at stake. We nearly became victims of regionalism. If we did not have these times of confession before the Holy Table of the Lord, there would not have been a difference between our General Assembly and that we are used to seeing in other areas.

We must not accept that ethics contrary to our biblical principles dwell in our ranks.

Considering the manner in which our 7th General Assembly ended, the reviewing of our constitution was a must. The Assembly understood it and a mandate was given to the Executive Committee to review our statutes to suit them to the current situation of our organisation and so as not to give an access to the Devil. This reviewing has been done if we take into account on the one hand the maturity of our organisation and on the other hand the crisis our organisation went through since its 7th General Assembly. The revised constitution of AEA will be submitted to you for your approval during the sessions of this General Assembly.

AEA must abide by the word of her Master in all her activities. She must make the difference and her ways of doing things, her vision, strategies, her functioning and her methods of appointing leaders. Her statutes must bring her nearer to her Master and foster the expression of God’s love. AEA must not be like the people of God during the time of the Prophet Isaiah when the temple of God was only by name. Their behaviour was opposed to what they declared to be. It is for that reason that the Lord spoke in these terms: “ Don’t think that the Lord is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help. It is because of your sins that he doesn’t hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him ”. ( Isaiah 59: 1-2).

Justification of the theme

The present Assembly is placed under the theme “ Jesus Christ, the only hope of Africa”.

My brothers and sisters of Africa, it is true that our Dear Africa continues to be violently shaken by serious difficulties characterised by intolerance, tribalism, hate of other people, racism, ethnic conflicts, and the drama of refugees.

Africa is mourning her children who are being killed by the bullets of colonization and decolonisation. She mourned her children who fell following the oppression of dictators of all kinds. She mourned her children who were the victims of famine and deadly epidemics. Even today, Africa continues to weep, she is weeping for her children who are victims of corruption, of mismanagement of her wealth and natural resources. She is weeping for her children who continue to fall under the weight of exterior debt and structural adjustment. She is weeping for her children who are falling because of violence due to religious intolerance, ethnic conflicts, rebellions and violence, refugees, children soldiers they create. She is weeping for her children who are victims of AIDS, malaria and other calamities, which are besetting them.

Besides all this, our Africa of today is in a situation where affliction, injustice, intolerance are prevailing. The situation is characterised by an ongoing crisis of trust because her hopes have always been deceived. But it is also due to the fact that the Continent is a part of the World where affliction and injustice are prevailing. The situation is such that the woe of Africa seems to bring happiness to others especially the big economic powers of the world.

It is therefore urgent that Africa comes to Jesus Christ, her only hope, because God is the main factor in all situations. He knows whatever situation of our continent. We can overcome all the dangers with God. This is true for all the problems we are seeing in our homes, in the society, in the church. Jesus Christ is our unique hope. He loves us with an infinite love. He is the solution to difficulties and drama of Africa if we trust him. In his love, his mercy, the Lord is always ready to do what is best for those who love and trust in him. Jesus came to the time chosen by God, and lived a life of perfect obedience to God. He taught all the spiritual and deep value of God’s Commandments. He declared that the commandments of God are all needed for social life. Jesus said that he came “ not to abolish, but to accomplish”, “ not to be served, but to serve”, that is to help all men of all nations and of every tongue to observe God’s commandments in a more intelligent way and less formalistic. He gave his life to bear the punishment of men’s sins. He is our creator, our redeemer, our unique hope. This doesn’t call to your mind the word of God to his people through Moses the prophet? “ Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people, a people dedicated to me alone, and you will serve me as priests ”. ( Exodus 19: 5-6).

Our ardent desire is to win Africa for Jesus. We know that it is not in our power to convert all the people of Africa. We cannot force no one to believe in Christ and to trust him for the forgiveness of his sins. Only the Spirit of God can make it. But through our testimony, our sermon, our works of justice worthy of the Kingdom of God, we can prepare hearts to receive the Lord.

If this truth was well understood and lived, it would produce many changes. We would be more inclined to look for the only glory of Jesus Christ.

A necessary perseverance

Christ is our unique hope; let’s not abdicate. We must be ready to relinquish anything to receive him. With patience and courage, let’s have a trust in him and let’s never loose hope. “ Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you ”. ( Matthew 6: 33).

Our theme is the expression of a firm conviction, Jesus Christ is the only hope of Africa. God knows the situation of our continent whatever it may. He loves us with infinite love. In face of difficulties and drama of Africa, we turn toward him. In his love and mercy, the Lord is always ready to do what is best for those who love and trust him at the right time. Hope resides in the sovereign plan of God in Jesus Christ shown by his rising from the dead. We cannot loose hope if we understand all the meaning of the death and resurrection of the Son of God. It is a fact, the fact that Jesus Christ conquered death, he came out of the grave, and he lives.

Even if God is not speaking to Africa in a burning bush, he is speaking clearly in the conscience of African women and men through the power of the Holy Spirit and with his word. The bleak picture of our continent I have just given cannot be an hindrance to the action of God on our behalf. “ The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins. ” ( 2 Peter 3: 9 )

Africa needs Jesus

Africa for Jesus because Africa needs Jesus. We must proclaim it loudly everywhere. The Good News of Jesus is a live message of God. It is the message that brings Africa in the presence of God, it is the message that makes us hear the voice of our Lord and reveals to us his promises and requirements. The Good News of Jesus Christ makes us know the holy abhorrence of God for sin and his mercy for the sinner through the work of the Holy Spirit. The current situation in Africa shows how much men need to be seized by the fear of God, how much they need to repent before him and to respect him. It is foolish to ignore the power of sin. Sin blunts the will. When selfishness and fear take over the spirit, pride and greediness corrupt the heart. Only Christ can liberate from this slavery of sin. Jesus only has the power to destroy the destructive forces of a nation. He spares those who trust in him and supports them in their trials. The Lord makes available at every time the rescue from the power of sin through his grace, and make us his children.

Being religious is not a warrant for peace and concord.

It is often said that the African is religious, and even very religious. But this has nothing to do with his need of Jesus the only saviour and only hope. Most of the people of our countries have a little bit of religion. They practice it often from afar. In Africa, everyone believes more or less in something. But this belief is often very vague. It is a polish of religion which doesn’t not change the heart and therefore has no influence on the behaviour of the individual. People believe, even go to violence in the name of God, but live and behave in the family and in the society as if they do not believe. Such a religion cannot save. It can do nothing against hatred, tribalism, violence and the shedding of blood in the society. Indeed, God is not asking for a vague worship which doesn’t come from our hearts, but a life of obedience, love of the neighbour.

Everyone must ask himself, each people must ask itself before God, if his religion is true and live, transforming and colouring every aspect of life, or if it is only a window-dressing, that is a lie.

Jesus is the only hope of Africa. He is calling to repentance, to forgiveness and reconciliation. He is the prince of peace. Someone has said that if the people and nations come to the point of not being able to repent, have faith and seek the will of God, therefore, divine punishment is bound to happen. Today, we have to recognize that many of the difficulties and woes of Africa are caused by some of her own children. The certainty of reaping the fruit we have sown should bring us to think and be humble before God and beseech his forgiveness. The Word of God says: “ Justice uplifts a nation, but sin condemns any people ”.

The true patriot, the true democrat should seek to render his country a righteous nation and not a nation which find excuses for its unrighteousness. The example of Jeremiah the prophet is a true school in this. As much Jeremiah was suffering to announce to his people the punishment of God, as much he was afflicted to see the hardening of heart of his fellow citizens.

Dear delegates, representatives of the body of Christ in Africa, God only knows the number of terrible and violent crises which have struck our continent and continue to strike it. Poverty, sicknesses, international tension, bloody conflicts, the sudden increasing of the continent population, all this poses huge problems, against which we have no spiritual and moral weapons. But as always, men seek to weather the crisis of their history through physical means only. It is just only what they know to do. But the small and fragile results accomplished do not meet the felt needs.

We must transmit to all the African people the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation comes from God only. The voice of God is heard in the declaration of Jesus Christ: “ I am the way, the truth, the life ”. Nothing, no one can deliver men from the power of selfishness, love of money, national pride, prejudice and grudges which poison the relations between people.

We must proclaim loudly that “ Jesus Christ is the only hope of Africa ”. He is our benefactor. Every perfect gift comes from him. His countless grace are renewed each day. His promises are true, his word is everlasting. Through faith in Christ, we have life, a life of obedience and love, everlasting life. Jesus said in John 3: 30 “ Each of you must turn away from his wrong way, he must abandon his wrongdoings ”.

Dear guests, delegates brothers and sisters, I am joyful because I have noticed that most of the participants of this General Assembly is composed of young leaders. We are witnesses of the emergence of young christian leaders everywhere in the continent. I keep the hope that this young generation of leaders will put at the service of the Lord all the gifts and energy it takes to continue the work of the accomplishment of the great mission in Africa while maintaining the unity of the body of Christ. I can therefore say that AEA has good days before her. As one of the witnesses of the birth of this movement of Evangelicals in Africa, I am rejoicing to see how the Lord is raising new calls, just at the right time. Indeed, the harvest is plentiful and the Lord knows where and when to find new workers.

Special address to young leaders

To conclude, I take the liberty to talk directly to all these young leaders. First of all, to say with prophet Haggai: “ Courage, all of you, says the Lord. Be at work, because I am with you ”. The work of God often collides against obstacles. The christian life is not a bed of roses. The enemy will not let you tranquil. You must not be surprised if everything does not go as you like. You should not be too enthusiastic for the starting of a project and later on abandon when difficulties arise. Always keep your enthusiasm. The Lord needs leaders on which he can always bank. Nothing is more shameful than to be “ someone who abandons”. I will even say that our failures are no excuses to give up. St John Chrysostome said: “ What is really grave, it is not to fall while fighting, but to remain lying, once you have fallen ”. I will add that it is not by looking at himself that a leader may hope to be faithful. We have ups and downs in our walk with the Lord. We have to look at Jesus whose love and patience will never drop us. Our salvation is in him. You will find a permanent help in him and he will always support your faithfulness. God with you, here is what will permit you to cling on.

Let me add this: never rebel against God and his church. Rebellion against God leads to the ruin of your ministry. It is a very important truth for individuals as well for the church. A church may turn away from God through false doctrines, neglect of missionary work, indifference for the salvation of non-believers, the secular life of his members. Yes, disobedience to the commandments of God, indifference for the work of God, the non attendance of church service, neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible are ways of turning away from God. They lead to ruin.

Brothers and sisters, the Executive Committee, by inviting you to this conference, has two objectives. The first objective is brotherly fellowship, and mutual building focused on the word of God. It is this part that we call CONVENTION. The second objective is the holding of the 8th General Assembly of AEA. The revised constitution of AEA will be submitted to this 8th Assembly.

I ardently desire to see this conference of Ouagadougou equipping and mobilizing you to boldly proclaim that Jesus is really the only hope of Africa and the World.

Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen, I wish a great success to the sessions of the 8th General Assembly and Convention of AEA of Ouagadougou.

May all the Glory and Honour be to our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, the unique hope of man.

Rev. Dr. Kassoum Kéita

President of AEA.