Dear brothers and sisters across Africa—whether you remain steadfast in our churches or are among the dechurched, those who have walked away, wounded by the church’s hypocrisy, colonial legacies, or unfulfilled promises—this is a call to rediscover the heart of Christian discipleship. At its core, our faith is not about rigid doctrines or empty rituals but about forming communities of peacemakers. Jesus proclaims in Matthew 5:9 (NKJV), “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” This is our sacred charge: to embody shalom—God’s vision of peace that restores justice, heals wounds, and mends creation in our villages, cities, and nations scarred by conflict and exploitation.
Yet, we have often missed this mark. Centuries of colonial Christianity have distorted the gospel, turning Jesus’ radical message into a tool for control and division. The decolonized Jesus, revealed in Scripture, calls us to courageous discipleship. He invites us into the reign of shalom, confronting harm, liberating the oppressed through the cross’s power, and healing creation—our lands ravaged by resource extraction, our communities fractured by inequality. In contrast, the colonized Jesus promotes comfort, supremacy, Christian nationalism, and a warlike mindset. This distortion aligns with powers that prioritize domination over reconciliation, echoing a troubling global trend: the recent U.S. executive order by President Donald Trump to rename the Department of Defense the Department of War, a title it held before 1949.
This renaming, announced on September 5, 2025, is more than a bureaucratic change; it signals a return to an aggressive, militaristic posture that glorifies conflict over peace-building. The White House claims the term “Department of War” conveys “readiness and resolve,” but critics, including U.S. lawmakers, argue it undermines diplomacy and escalates global tensions. For Africa, this shift carries profound implications. Our continent has long borne the brunt of foreign military interventions, from colonial wars to modern proxy conflicts fueled by Western arms and interests. A “Department of War” mindset risks intensifying resource grabs, destabilizing fragile regions like the Sahel, and emboldening militias, all while diverting resources from development and peace initiatives. This echoes the colonized faith that justifies violence and exploitation, resembling the zealot-like fervor of the Apostle Peter, who drew his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane, cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant (John 18:10, NKJV). Jesus rebuked him: “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” (John 18:11, NKJV). What would Jesus do today? He would reject this warlike spirit, whether in renamed departments or theologies that sanctify supremacy.
In The Church and the Dechurched: Mending a Damaged Faith, Mary Tuomi Hammond explores the pain of those who have left the church, disillusioned by its alignment with oppressive systems or failure to embody Christ’s love. She notes that many depart because of a “damaged faith,” hurt by hypocrisy or complicity in injustice, yet she offers hope through compassionate outreach and authentic community. For Africa’s dechurched—those weary of missionary-era distortions, prosperity gospels, or churches silent on corruption—this resonates deeply. Our task is to mend this damaged faith, not by defending broken systems but by listening to their pain and rebuilding communities rooted in justice and love.
Jesus’ lament in Luke 19:42 (NKJV) pierces us: “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” Colonial religion has blinded us, shaping our conscience toward comfort, blame, and division, often imported from empires that plundered Africa while preaching salvation. Today, in our post-colonial era, we have a profound opportunity. We can appeal to what Africans already know: the deep yearning for ubuntu, the communal harmony that binds us. From South Africa’s townships healing from apartheid to South Sudan’s conflict zones, we see the Spirit convicting the world of injustice (John 16:8, NKJV). The dechurched, especially, understand this—they’ve seen through the facade of colonized faith and crave authenticity.
Theology alone will not suffice. As Hammond urges, mending damaged faith requires action—reaching out to the dechurched with humility and solidarity. In Africa, this means confronting real pains: economic exploitation, gender-based violence, environmental destruction, and the lingering effects of colonial Christianity. Mission training and Bible translations in our languages—Swahili, Yoruba, Amharic—are vital, making the gospel resonate with our struggles and inspiring not just new thinking but new doing. Imagine disciples building schools in war-torn regions, mediating tribal conflicts in Nigeria, or advocating for land rights among the Maasai. This is the peacemaking Jesus calls us to, in defiance of a world that glorifies war.
Beloved, the time is now to decolonize our faith and reclaim the Prince of Peace. Let us reject Peter’s sword and the warlike mindset of empires, whether in renamed departments or distorted doctrines. Let us embrace the cross that liberates, unites, and heals. For the church and the dechurched in Africa, this is our moment to revive Christianity as a force for shalom, mending damaged faith and building a future where justice reigns. May the Holy Spirit guide us in this courageous journey.
Read more about the Author here; Philip Kakungulu
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