African Enterprise

ABOUT US

Our Vision

To become the most faithful and effective evangelistic catalyst for holistic evangelism in Africa.

Our Mission

To evangelise the cities of Africa through word and deed in partnership with the Church.

Our Core Values

• We are team based - seeking to form strategic partnerships and alliances
• We are committed to reaching every strata of society holistically
• We seek to bring peace where there is conflict
• We are committed to the authority of scripture and hold to the Lausanne Covenant as our statement of faith

History

During the summer of 1961, Michael Cassidy, a South African, set out on an exploratory visit to 31 major cities of Africa . God opened door after door during that trip and Michael was convinced that his calling was to evangelism in the cities of Africa, and very specially to its leadership circles. During that trip Michael went for a long solitary walk on the beach to spend time alone with the Lord. An excerpt from the book African Harvest recalls the experience.

Suddenly, on impulse, Michael drew a vast outline of Africa in the sand. He scrawled: ‘Claimed for Jesus Christ’ inside it. He wrote in his diary ‘I also asked God for 50 years of ministry in Africa.’

The first city-wide mission was held the following year in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The mission was extraordinarily successful with many acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Saviour and committing themselves to follow him. The ministry of AE continues to grow and impact lives in and through Christ, bringing Jesus to more than a million Africans each year. God has been faithful!

Pan African Development

If AE was to reach the 31 cities that Michael had visited and beyond there were going to be geographical and cultural barriers. The need for more teams became quickly evident. A second team was established in Uganda in 1971 under the leadership of the late Bishop Festo Kivengere. As opportunities and funds became available other teams were established.

AE Today

Today AE is a partnership of approximately 600 staff and countless volunteers and friends representing ten national teams, a pan African mission team, a reconciliation department, a training department and support teams in seven countries across the globe. These teams, departments, boards and individuals have covenanted themselves to continue the mission given to AE at the start - ‘To evangelise the cities of Africa through word and deed, in partnership with the church.’

SERVICES

How We Work

An interdenominational Christian ministry committed to evangelising the cites of Africa, through word and deed, in partnership with African churches. AE has a holistic approach to ministry with a primary focus on evangelism.

Some of the distinctive aspects of the AE ministry are:

Indigenous (Africa) - AE was founded in Africa in 1961 and continues to be led by Africans.

Cities - The cities of Africa are strategic. The cities of Africa need hope. The cities of Africa have been and will remain AE’s primary focus.

Partnership - Like no other ministry in Africa, we are committed to seeing the whole church working together, to promote the gospel and effectively disciple new Christians. The key to reaching any city is facilitating partnership amongst the churches. Consequently a central value in any AE initiative is working to bring churches together.

Holistic - AE’s core and primary ministry is evangelism. Integrated with evangelism are 3 key support ministries namely peace building, aid and development, and leadership development.