The mission statements of many African churches proclaim evangelism as their core purpose, yet too often, they fail to embody the Gospel’s call to peacemaking. If a church does not actively wage peace in its community, its mission is not just hollow—it’s a lie. The Greek term euangelion—meaning “good news”—demands proclamation, posture, and practice that counter the myth of redemptive violence, which justifies harm to achieve order (Wink, 1992). In Africa, where colonial evangelism often aligned with violence, the church must reclaim a Shalom-centered Gospel.
Jesus declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Yet, many African Christians, influenced by colonial legacies, condone violence against perceived enemies—Jews, Muslims, atheists, or the LGBTQ community—believing it stops evil. Walter Wink critiques this as the “myth of redemptive violence,” a distortion rooted in colonial Christianity’s focus on control rather than love (Wink, 1998). The East African Revival, or Balokole movement, countered such distortions by emphasizing repentance and communal reconciliation (Ward, 2005). Today’s church must follow suit, rejecting violence and embracing radical forgiveness.
To discern if your church is true to the Gospel, ask:
Are we equipping people to embody the good news through peacemaking, with accountability?
Do leaders personally engage with the marginalized—feeding the hungry, visiting prisoners—beyond pulpit preaching?
Are resources mobilized for peacebuilding, or are they hoarded for institutional growth?
Does growth celebrate diversity, or merely attract like-minded converts?
Are youth taught to see God’s love in every human face?
If your church falls short, integrate peacemaking into its mission or prioritize it anew. As Kwame Bediako notes, African Christianity thrives when it reflects the continent’s communal ethos (Bediako, 1995). The church must move from passive aspiration to active Shalom, as modeled by peace warriors like those in the Pan African Peace Network.
Call to Action: Challenge your church to wage peace like war. Join conflict transformation trainings to equip your community for radical forgiveness and inclusion.
Bediako, K. (1995). Christianity in Africa: The Renewal of a Non-Western Religion. Edinburgh University Press.
Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Matthew 5:9.
Ward, K. (2005). The East African Revival: History and Legacies. Fountain Publishers.
Wink, W. (1992). Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination. Fortress Press.
Wink, W. (1998). The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium. Doubleday.
Read more about the Author: Philip Kakungulu
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