God Is Not Unemployed: Rethinking the Call for Fewer Churches in Africa

 

By Emmanuel Mihiingo Kaija

“Do not remove the ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.” — Proverbs 22:28

I. The Pulse of a Continent: Church as Living Heartbeat

Across the vast, sun-drenched plains, beneath acacia trees that have stood sentinel for centuries, and within the labyrinthine streets of Africa’s teeming cities where life unfolds in vibrant, chaotic splendor, the church beats—not as cold stone or wooden bench, but as a living, breathing heartbeat pulsing through the veins of communities. It is a sacred rhythm, ancient and yet ever-renewing, that carries the prayers of grandmothers knitting wisdom into lullabies, the songs of children dancing barefoot under mango trees, the murmurs of hope rising from market squares, and the silent tears of the oppressed in dimly lit rooms. This pulse, felt in the intimate gathering of a prayer circle and echoed in the thunderous praise of mass congregations, threads itself through the fabric of African existence, shaping identities, nourishing resilience, and holding space for both grief and jubilation.

In Kisumu’s dusty alleys, where the weight of poverty hums quietly alongside the relentless hum of motorcycles, the echoes of gospel choirs mingle with the call of street vendors hawking their wares. In Abidjan’s cacophonous traffic, amidst honking horns and the bustle of commerce, the voices of preachers rise above the din, weaving dreams of deliverance and renewal. From the sprawling townships of Johannesburg to the quietest of hamlets tucked away in the hills of Rwanda, the church serves as sanctuary, forum, and hearth—a place where the invisible threads of faith and community intertwine.

Yet, amid this expansive tapestry of devotion, a restless question gnaws at the soul of the continent: Why do hunger and disease continue to ravage when churches proliferate like wild grass, estimated at over 500,000 in Sub-Saharan Africa alone (Pew Research Center, 2023)? Why do throngs flock to miracle crusades promising healing, while schools stand in ruin, hospitals lack essential medicines, and countless children wander hungry, their stomachs echoing the silence of forgotten prayers? This is no abstract theological musing; it is a lament as old as time itself, whispered by the spirits of the land, echoed in the prayers of the desperate, and carried on the weary breaths of mothers who long for more than just spiritual balm.

You have heard of the saying: “The river does not forget its source even when it flows to the sea.” This profound question is no simple complaint; it is a sacred summons to wisdom, calling the church and society alike to discern how spiritual devotion and social progress might intertwine as complementary threads of the same cloth. The Igbo teach us that “When the moon is shining, the cripple becomes hungry for a walk,” illustrating the yearning for renewal that comes with illumination and hope. The tension between faith and development is not a battlefield demanding victory by one side, but a holy dance to be embraced with grace, humility, and courageous imagination—where prayer fuels action, and action is sanctified by faith. In this dance, the church can become not only a place of worship but a catalyst for holistic transformation, nurturing both the soul and the body, the spirit and the social order.

II. The Shadow Behind the Pulpit: Corruption, Prosperity, and Disillusionment

Yet within the sacred halls and open-air pulpits where voices once sang songs of hope, shadows gather. The dream of faith as sanctuary has often been sullied by greed, spiritual deception, and exploitation, turning places of refuge into arenas of power struggles and material gain. The rise of the prosperity gospel—a theology promising that financial offerings will unlock divine wealth—has emerged as both balm and poison within African Christianity. To the vulnerable, it offers a glimmer of hope amid economic despair; to the unscrupulous, it presents opportunity for exploitation and manipulation. The African Leadership Institute’s 2020 survey revealed a troubling reality: nearly 35% of African Christians feel disillusioned, betrayed by teachings that elevate wealth over humility, and consumption over community. This spiritual disquiet echoes in the weary sighs of congregants who, after giving their last coins, find themselves poorer not only materially but in faith.

Governments, too, have been compelled to respond to this crisis of trust. Rwanda’s dramatic closure of over 8,000 churches in 2018 was more than a bureaucratic purge; it was a thunderclap demanding accountability and transparency within the religious sphere. President Paul Kagame’s biting question—whether churches are needed every hundred meters—pierces the heart of a chaotic and often unregulated faith landscape where unscrupulous ministries flourish unchecked. Similarly, Gabon and Angola have taken resolute steps to shutter exploitative churches, signaling a growing intolerance for religious bodies that abuse sacred trust and fail to honor their spiritual mandate.

Yet, in this necessary critique, let us heed the Yoruba proverb: “A man who uses his teeth to clip a thorn will lose them both.” Faith itself is not the enemy, but its misuse—its distortion into a tool for personal gain rather than communal flourishing—is the thorn that must be carefully removed. As James Cone so powerfully reminds us in God of the Oppressed, “Religion that does not liberate is not true religion.” Thus, the call is not to abandon the church or dismiss faith but to cleanse, reform, and restore it as a beacon of hope, a wellspring of justice, and a home for the weary soul seeking refuge and renewal in a fractured world.

III. A Sacred Confluence: African Spirituality and Christianity

To truly understand the church’s place in Africa, we must journey beyond modern critiques and recognize the sacred confluence where African spirituality and Christianity meet in a complex, ancient, and ongoing dialogue. Long before colonial guns and Bibles arrived, African peoples dwelled in rich communion with the divine, grounded in the reverence of ancestors, the sacredness of the earth, and a cosmos alive with spirits both seen and unseen. Time flowed in circles, weaving the living and the dead into an eternal tapestry where the sacred animated every aspect of life—from the planting of crops to the telling of stories around the fire.

Christianity did not crash like a foreign ship upon these shores but mingled with this ancient river, flowing into and transforming it. This encounter has been fraught with tension but pregnant with possibility, inviting a vibrant synthesis that honors both tradition and innovation. The Shona proverb speaks wisdom to this journey: “The child who is not taught by the mother will be taught by the world,” reminding us that neglecting indigenous wisdom leaves space for foreign domination. African theology today calls the church to honor these ancestral roots—to build a faith that embraces rather than erases African culture and wisdom.

The Apostle Paul’s profound declaration that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek” (Galatians 3:28) rings across centuries and continents, inviting a unity that celebrates diversity rather than enforcing uniformity. The cross—a paradox of death and life, suffering and salvation—resonates deeply with African symbols of sacrifice and renewal. African theology now seeks to reclaim the gospel as an African inheritance—one that does not erase identity but affirms it in the fullness of God’s liberating love, a love that honors ancestors, earth, and the cosmic dance of creation.

IV. The Church as Developmental Pillar: Health, Education, and Hope

Amid the debates and criticisms, the church remains a vital pillar of Africa’s fragile and often beleaguered development, operating in spaces where state presence is weak or absent. Faith-based organizations manage over 40% of healthcare facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa, with countries like Uganda reporting that up to 70% of essential health services—including HIV/AIDS clinics, maternal care, immunization programs, and emergency response—are provided under church administration (World Health Organization, 2022). These institutions are lifelines for millions, serving the sick, the vulnerable, and the marginalized in communities where government infrastructure falters.

Beyond healing the body, the church nurtures minds and souls through schools, orphanages, and community programs that touch millions of children and families. The sacrificial courage of clergy and lay workers during epidemics such as Ebola—many of whom lost their lives—embodies the gospel’s call to lay down one’s life for others (John 15:13). In regions ravaged by conflict, churches serve as sanctuaries offering refuge, counseling, and hope amid chaos and displacement.

The Luo proverb imparts a sobering truth: “Even the best cooking pot will not produce food.” Without nourishing both body and soul, faith risks becoming hollow ritual and empty spectacle. Institutions like Covenant University in Nigeria and Nairobi Hospice in Kenya stand as shining testaments to faith’s transformative power when harnessed in service of holistic human flourishing. The church’s dual role—both spiritual guide and social servant—is inseparable, a sacred covenant with the people it serves, a beacon of light in the shadows of poverty and despair.

V. The Scars of Empire: Decolonizing African Christianity

To speak of the African church without confronting the scars left by colonialism would be to silence the deepest wounds of history. The Bible, once wielded as a sword alongside colonial armies, was used to silence indigenous voices, overwrite ancestral knowledge, and redraw identities in the image of foreign powers. Missionaries arrived bearing not only scripture but also imperial mandates, imposing a Christianity that often rejected the very soil and spirits that birthed African life. Yet, the God revealed in Jesus Christ is not a god of empire and domination but of liberation, proclaiming “good news to the poor,” “freedom to the captives,” and “the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). The African Christian heritage, as embodied by early figures such as Augustine of Hippo—whose Confessions remain a theological beacon—reminds us that Africa’s Christian roots run deep and ancient, woven into the very fabric of global faith.

Decolonizing African Christianity is thus a sacred act of restoration and reclamation—an unflinching dismantling of imperial facades to reveal the gospel’s radical call to justice, dignity, and community. The Kenyan theologian Jesse Mugambi calls this process “reparation and reclamation,” a clearing away of colonial debris so that the living truth beneath may shine with fresh clarity. This journey is neither a rejection of Christianity nor a wholesale acceptance of colonial structures but a creative reimagining—inviting African faith communities to reclaim the gospel in ways that honor their history, cultures, and aspirations.

As the Kikuyu proverb teaches, “However long the night, the dawn will break.” Despite the long shadow of empire, the light of resurrection promises a new day for the African church—one rooted not in domination but in freedom, not in silencing but in vibrant, prophetic voice. The decolonized church becomes a sanctuary where the cries of the oppressed find hearing, where ancestral wisdom and biblical faith embrace, and where the flourishing of all creation is the sacred goal.

VI. Wealth, Power, and the Church: A Complex Relationship

The intersection of wealth, power, and the church reveals a complicated tapestry—woven with threads of blessing and shadow. Mega-churches, often fueled by foreign funds and steeped in consumerist culture, sometimes mirror and reinforce global inequalities rather than challenge them. Their opulence—with gleaming auditoriums, luxury vehicles, and international outreach—can stand in stark contrast to the poverty and deprivation experienced by their congregations. This disparity fuels disillusionment, as faith risks becoming a spectacle of privilege rather than a community of radical solidarity.

Moreover, foreign missionary efforts, though frequently rooted in compassion, have at times fostered dependency rather than genuine partnership—casting African Christians as perpetual recipients rather than equal co-creators in the work of God’s kingdom. This dynamic not only undermines local leadership but also risks importing models incongruent with African realities and wisdom.

In this complex dance, prophetic critique becomes vital. Transparency, humility, and accountability must characterize the church’s engagement with wealth and power. The Akan proverb counsels us: “The fool speaks, the wise man listens.” It calls the church to pause, to listen deeply to the needs of its people and the voice of conscience before embracing the temptations of earthly grandeur. Authentic African leadership—rooted in local cultures, languages, and experiences—must rise to steward the gifts God provides for communal flourishing rather than individual aggrandizement. The church’s wealth is not its buildings or bank accounts but its capacity to serve, to heal, and to empower the least among us.

VII. Voices Often Silenced: Women, Marginalized Communities, and the Gospel of Liberation

No honest reflection on the church’s future can ignore the voices long silenced or ignored within its walls—those of women, children, and marginalized communities whose gifts and insights have been too often relegated to the shadows. Theologians like Mercy Amba Oduyoye have pierced patriarchal veils with courage and clarity, calling the church to embrace a gospel that empowers rather than diminishes, liberates rather than confines. Her work insists on a reexamination of scripture, tradition, and practice through the lens of justice and inclusion, opening pathways for a fuller participation of all God’s children in the life of the church.

The future vitality of African Christianity depends on a faith that embraces gender justice not as an optional addendum but as foundational to its mission and witness. The Mende proverb tenderly teaches, “A woman is like a teapot; she pours her love on those she serves.” This metaphor reminds us that women sustain families and communities through sacrificial love and wisdom, and yet their leadership must be recognized and celebrated within the church’s structures and ministries.

Likewise, the gospel calls the church to listen to the cries of the marginalized—those silenced by poverty, ethnicity, disability, or social stigma. To proclaim liberation is to embody it, creating spaces where all are welcomed, affirmed, and empowered to serve. The church must become a sanctuary of radical inclusion where every voice, especially the smallest and weakest, echoes the divine harmony of the kingdom.

VIII. Faith and Reason: Allies in Africa’s Struggle for Liberation

Faith and reason, often posed as opposites, are in truth inseparable allies in Africa’s ongoing struggle for liberation, dignity, and truth. Throughout history, African thinkers and leaders have demonstrated how theology can fuel critical thought and how intellectual inquiry can deepen faith. Figures like Kwame Nkrumah, Frantz Fanon, and John Mbiti weave together spirituality and philosophy, illuminating the path toward freedom and justice.

The Yoruba proverb affirms this unity: “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” True wisdom requires communal discernment, dialogue, and shared insight—elements essential for dismantling oppressive structures and fostering holistic transformation. Theology, then, is not a retreat into mysticism or dogma but an active, engaged reflection that confronts injustice, offers hope, and charts new possibilities.

In this light, African faith communities are called to cultivate spaces where questioning is welcomed, where doubt leads to deeper understanding, and where the mind and heart grow together in the pursuit of the divine truth. Faith that embraces reason becomes a powerful force for social change and personal renewal, embodying the fullness of God’s creative wisdom.

IX. Youth and Renewal: The Church in a Changing Africa

Africa is a continent of youth—over 60% of its population under 25 years of age (UNICEF, 2024)—and with this vibrant demographic surge comes a wave of renewal and transformation within the church. Young people bring energy, creativity, and new forms of worship, reshaping faith expressions through digital ministries, gospel hip-hop, social justice activism, and movements for ecological stewardship.

The Hausa proverb offers hope and encouragement to these restless seekers: “No matter how long the night, the dawn will always come.” This dawn is unfolding in digital classrooms, urban worship centers, and grassroots movements where young Africans are reclaiming faith as a force for liberation and hope. Their voices call the church to listen, to adapt, and to embrace change without losing the timeless essence of the gospel.

The church’s future depends on nurturing intergenerational dialogue, empowering young leaders, and creating spaces where innovation and tradition converse freely. This renewal is not only about numbers but about vision—about a church that embraces the sacred fire of youthful passion while rooted in the wisdom of ancestors, crafting a faith both ancient and radically new.

X. The Prophetic Call: Justice, Resurrection, and Renewal

Throughout the ages, the prophets of Israel thundered a call for justice and righteousness. Amos demanded, “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24), while Micah implored God’s people to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). This prophetic call finds its fullest embodiment in Jesus’ ministry, where freedom for the oppressed, healing for the sick, and liberation for captives are central themes (Luke 4:18-19).

Resurrection—the definitive divine “No” to death and oppression—proclaims that the last word belongs to life, hope, and renewal. It compels the church to embody resurrection daily, confronting systems of injustice and nurturing new life amidst decay. The Swahili proverb warns with sober truth: “When the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches.” The church must tend its roots diligently—faithfulness to justice, mercy, and humility—to prevent the withering of its witness.

This prophetic vocation is a call to courage and compassion, to speaking truth to power, and to being a sanctuary for the broken and a beacon for the lost. It is a call to embody the resurrection hope that transforms individuals and societies alike.

XI. Faith Reclaimed: Toward a Church of Justice and Compassion

In the final reckoning, the answer to the scourge of false religion and fractured faith is not irreligion but a profound return to authentic faith—one that lives out the command to care for widows and orphans, to speak truth to power, and to walk humbly with God (James 1:27; Micah 6:8). Africa does not need fewer churches but faithful ones—churches that embody the gospel with integrity, justice, and compassion.

The Zulu proverb cautions, “The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is our choice how to tend it.” This choice confronts every believer and every community: Will the flame of faith bring healing and light, or will it burn with pride and division? May the fires of the Spirit blaze not to consume but to illuminate the path toward resurrection, renewal, and flourishing for all creation.

As the church reclaims its vocation, it becomes a sanctuary where the sacred and the social meet, where prayer moves hand in hand with justice, and where the ancient promises of God find fresh voice in the heartbeats of Africa’s diverse peoples. This is the church Africa needs—a living heartbeat, a wellspring of hope, and a testament to the enduring power of faith.

Emmanuel Mihiingo Kaija

Evangelist And Missionary Grounded In Bible Studies, Theology, Church Ministry And Interdisciplinary Studies

Emkaijawrites@gmail.com