Africa

A map of Africa

Our History In Africa

BURUNDI:

Friends missions work began in 1934. In 1985, all missionaries left due to government denial of visas. By 1999, Friends from Mid-America sent retired missionaries David & Mae Kellum back to Burundi to encourage the churches.

Today, there are over 85 congregations with attendance of over 11,000. David Niyonzima provides national leadership as General Superintendent.

RWANDA:

After considerable praying and planning, Friends worship services began in 1987. By the end of 1993 there were 25 Friends churches and by 2001, there were 68 worship points, three Friends secondary Schools, and four primary schools. Through much unrest and instability in recent years, Rwanda has been very open to the Gospel.

Willard and Doris Ferguson have served in Rwanda since the beginning of Friends work there. In 1997, David and Debby Thomas joined them.

Great Lakes School of Theology:

The Great Lakes School of Theology (GLST) is named after the "Great Lakes" of central Africa, not North America, and has been developed to train pastors and church leaders who will be culturally adapted, spiritually mature, and intellectually strong.

Significant attendance at the school is due to a farsighted desire by founder Ferdinand Nzyhabonaya to have spouses and family accompany students, living together. This is quite different from the common African practice of a man's going away for a protracted period of study while the wife and family stay at home. Both spouses are sometimes attaining degrees.

Africa Evangelical Friends continue to Expand:

Three Evangelical Friends International Africa Regions represent Evangelical Friends of Africa. Currently the affiliated Friends include the Burundi Yearly Meeting, the Rwanda Yearly Meeting and the Friends in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (not yet organized in a Yearly Meeting).

Friends in Congo are a mission outreach made by the Burundi Yearly Meeting in the early 80's. Additionally, churches in Tanzania, Uganda, and Ivory Coast are interested in becoming affiliated with Evangelical Friends. The current total membership of Evangelical Friends International in Africa is not known but the estimate is about 20,000. Our major project is the Great Lakes School of Theology located in Bujumbura that was established in 1999 with students from Burundi, Congo and Rwanda. Our goal is to develop strong leadership among Friends in the region who are able to face the current challenges and those who are capable to make a difference for the glory of God.