My association with African Enterprise began after my twelve years of service with CMS in Tanzania and the Australian home base. Back again in parish ministry I met with people who had become very committed to a new kind of African ministry called African Enterprise. I joined their Board and in due course became it’s Chairman and later International Chairman. I think that in that time I learned these four important things about AE.
First, it is indigenous i.e. it sprang up in Africa to be operated by Africans who minister to their own people in their own unique and special style. My connection with African Enterprise began sometime after my experience as a CMS missionary in Tanzania. Back in a Sydney parish again I met some people who were keen on this new kind of African mission which had begun to have a base in Australia. An old friend, Dr Paul White, was the Australian Chairman and I was soon invited to join AE’s local board. In due course this new connection took me to Africa, to AE’s people-on-the-ground and eventually to my Chairmanship of their International Board. Over the years which this involved I learned to cherish various aspects of AE’s ministry
We don’t send missionaries to them – they are the missionaries and sometimes they also bring a powerful message to us. In Philip Jenkins book The Next Chistendom there is a fascinating account of how Christianity has grown in the Southern Hemisphere, in Latin America, parts of Asia (who knows about China) and also in Africa. African Enterprise had played a significant part in this great movement.
Secondly AE is holistic i.e. although its major task is preaching the Christian Gospel it realises that it also must do something to alleviate the sufferings and the deprivation of the poor: it builds clinics in the slums, hygienic latrines and pipes in good water there. On one occasion AE helped to bring millions of trees to an area where an increased population had removed them. In the Christian world there has sometimes been a sad division between those who believe in evangelism and those who accentuate social action. Thankfully at the great Lausanne conference in 1982 evangelicals began to rethink this dichotomy and repent of their neglect of the poor and disadvantaged (something that their evangelical forbears had never neglected). So it was not surprising that AE has always had the two streams running together not using social action as a bribe to win converts but as evangelism’s necessary companion. E.g.in the mission to Lilongwe as the preaching continued so latrines were dug in large schools which had previously had none! AE is proud of the words ‘word and deed’ in our mission statement.
Thirdly – and most importantly – AE is an evangelistic ministry, targeting the huge and growing cities of Africa using the unique method of ‘stratified evangelism’ i.e. reaching every aspect of the city from homes, to market places, office blocks, schoolrooms, army and police barracks etc. Africa is, despite its many problems wide open to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and one thing the media never bothers to tell us is that there are large and growing churches in Africa south of the Sahara When I went to Tanganyika (later Tanzania) in 1960 there was one CMS aligned Diocese but now there are many in a continually growing and expanding church. Muslims too are working hard in Africa, fuelled by petro dollars to win Africa, hoping to plant a mosque in walking distance all the way from Cairo to the Cape. So these are the days of huge opportunity in Africa and we must not miss the great evangelistic opportunity which we have.
Fourthly AE, although based in Africa is an international partnership – and that is where we in Australia come in. At the International Board meeting there can be representatives from 13 to 14 different nations (mostly African) but also with reps from the UK, the USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia. We in Australia have the huge privilege of being part of what the teams are doing right throughout Africa through prayer and also through financial support. AE continues its evangelistic ministry to the great cities of Africa through word and deed in partnership with the churches.
David Hewetson (AE Board Member 1979 – 2012)
Pray for wise governance of AE in Australia, USA and across Africa.
“Real life heroes exhibit an uncanny ability to persevere despite the odds, and to do so with humility and dedication.” (United Nations)
World Humanitarian Day, held on the 19th of August each year, celebrates “real-life heroes who have committed their lives to helping others in the most extreme circumstances throughout the world”.
Here at AE Australia, we are grateful for a team member who is a hero to many. At 76 years of age, Mehretab Tekie has spent his life serving humanity. Mehretab, or Mehr, as he is affectionately known, kindly agreed to tell us more about his life’s work. Our conversation with him was both humbling and inspiring.
Mehretab was AE Australia’s Aid and Development director from 1995 to 2010, and now volunteers at our AE office in Sydney. As well as assisting us with the review of our Aid and Development proposals and reports, Mehr is currently preparing the phase 2 proposal of an exciting project in Rwanda, which fosters racial reconciliation in schools. Mehr currently also volunteers at his local council, where he provides a course on global issues and tutors migrants in conversational English.
Born in Eritrea in 1944, Mehr is the 5th of 10 siblings, and was the first in his family to attend university. He discovered his passion for humanitarian aid while studying a Bachelors degree in Ethiopia. After receiving a scholarship, he went on to complete a Masters degree in Land Use Planning in the Philippines. He served as Associate Professor of Planning in the Philippines for 8 years, after which he became a senior lecturer in Kano, Nigeria. During this time, Mehr published many articles regarding poverty and development, especially in Africa. Mehr then worked as a research scientist in Thailand, before migrating to Australia in 1988.
From 1988 to 1995, Mehr worked with AUSTCARE to provide emergency humanitarian relief to refugees in Southern Africa. As part of his work, Mehr frequently went to war zones in Africa to deliver food and medical supplies. He recalls how risky his job really was – he contracted malaria several times, and during the civil war in Mozambique, he was once hijacked at gunpoint by rebel soldiers.
From 1995 to 2010, when Mehr was AE’s Director for Aid and Development, many of AE’s long-term development projects were established, including the Milne Medical Centre and Soweto Kayole Primary Healthcare Centre. One of the highlights in Mehr’s career was when AE Tanzania’s reforestation project was evaluated by CSIRO, and was named the best AUSAID-funded reforestation program ever implemented. This innovative project, overseen by Mehr, enabled subsistence farmers to plant rapidly-maturing trees, and harvest and sell timber to provide for their families.
In reflecting on his passion to serve humanity, Mehr simply states,
“I’m human like others. When I compare myself with those who have no opportunity, I see that I don’t lack. With my Christian background, it’s only human to respond to the needs.”
Only human perhaps, but a real-life hero indeed.
As we reflect on another year of evangelism across the cities of Africa, we are grateful for the fruit of 2019. During the past year, approximately 1.1 million people in Africa were reached with the message of the Gospel, and over 120,000 made decisions for Christ.
During 2019, we were able to update our AE theological and evangelism training materials, which are used across Africa. Of great importance, is the fact that we were able to translate these materials into French. This will enable greater reach to the Francophone countries of West and North Africa, many of which are currently dominated by traditional animistic beliefs and Islam.
In addition, during 2019, we were able to launch a new office in Zambia. Zambia, together with our Malawi and Zimbabwe offices, aims to reach over a million people in our “Southern outreach” region over the next three years.
Another highlight of 2019, was the triannual AE International Council, which met in Kigali, Rwanda. The outcome of the Council was a renewed focus on our vision “to be the most faithful and effective catalyst for holistic urban evangelism in Africa”, with a particular emphasis on assisting churches in the discipleship of new believers.
Throughout 2019, we have endeavoured to share the Gospel in both word and deed, and our social action programs have continued to empower communities to address poverty via self-help groups, vocational training and the promotion of health.
This has all been made possible by the partnership of faithful supporters like you, as well as the tireless work of our teams in Africa. Michael Cassidy, who founded African Enterprise 58 years ago, recently expressed his gratitude to AE Australia, and acknowledged in particular, the distinguished leadership of our Australian Board. In reflecting on 2019, we would thus like to thank AE Australia’s outgoing chair, Mr Steven Mackay.
We are also delighted to announce our new chair of the Board, Mr David Ralph. Mr Ralph has been a member of the Board of AE Australia for the past year, where he has offered his expertise on the Board’s finance committee, as well as being actively involved with our supporters. Mr Ralph has many years of both domestic and international business experience, and is currently CEO of a Christian social enterprise organisation. Married to Margaret, with three adult children, David is actively engaged in leadership roles in his local church.
David would like to share a few introductory words:
“The AE community is a warm and welcoming one, demonstrating active support for mission in Africa. I would like to thank you for your welcome as I look forward to working with my fellow Australia directors and with the International Board and National teams to further the great commission in Africa. Supporting home-based evangelism and Covid-19 responses across 12 countries in Africa provides a practical demonstration of God’s love. Together with my wife Margaret, I am looking forward to serving our Lord through the ministry of AE.”
In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 has already proven challenging for all of us. As David mentioned, our focus for this year has shifted primarily to that of Home based evangelism, as well as social action responses to the effects of the pandemic. Africa is particularly vulnerable to the pandemic’s devastating health, economic and political consequences, and our social action responses have been tailored to the individual countries in which we work. These include food aid for vulnerable persons, COVID-19 education, manufacturing and distribution of reusable face masks and the distribution of hygiene and sanitation products. Furthermore, our Home Based Evangelism model is evidence that the greatest message of all, the Gospel of Christ, will not be silenced. African Enterprise remains committed to faithful, holistic evangelism for the continent of Africa.
You can read our Annual Report here.
Passionate about caring for People with Albinism
Malcolm & Pam Humphreys
Supporters of AE: 30 years
We have been supporters of African Enterprise for over 30 years and have been delighted and amazed at the size of the harvest as the gospel has been proclaimed by AE outreaches to millions of people all over Africa.
Over the years, as we have travelled through the continent, we have seen many examples of Christian churches sharing God’s love in their communities with an enthusiasm that many western nations would covet. We have also been saddened to see so many people in desperate need including a group of people with albinism (PWA). Albino people are to some extent a forgotten people in the cities and rural communities in Africa.
Albinism is caused by low amounts of melanin, a protein which provides the skin pigmentation required to protect against the harmful effects of sunlight’s UV rays. Africa has the highest incidence of albinism in the world. Because of their white skin, often scarred by skin cancers and with a pink eye colour, they stand out in communities and their difference with others often leave them to be feared, marginalized, even persecuted and without job opportunities.
As a family we had been providing some support to albino people elsewhere in Africa and felt led to extend that help to Zimbabwe. It seemed logical to ask AE in Australia if we could visit the Harare AE office to discuss how we hoped to start helping PWA and other needy people there. We had immediate encouragement from the Australian CEO at the time, Peter Cheel, to do so and some weeks later we met with Guide Makore, Zimbabwe team leader in Harare. With Guide’s enthusiastic support his wife Forgiveness committed to joining our efforts to reach out PWA and other needy people.
The programs aim is firstly, to bring self-respect to albino people and the good news that God looks at their hearts with love. Also to educate communities to help take away the stigma of albinism. Secondly to provide and encourage the use of sunscreens, hats and clothing that protects against the sun. Thirdly to develop and encourage self-help projects, such as chicken egg production or breeding, peanut butter making and planting cereal for crops and fruit trees for gardens.
We are very grateful to AE for allowing us to call on Guide services despite his commitment to AE Zimbabwe and of course his lovely wife Forgiveness who is really the glue in organizing and implementing our support programs in Zimbabwe.
Above all we are grateful for God’s blessing on these efforts. When we started the program we were aware of only 1 person with albinism in Harare. We now commonly have 200 people with albinism and their families attending outreaches in Harare.
Thanks to the bush telegraph we also now provide help and support to a similar number in Chitungwiza, Gutu and as far afield as Binga.
God loves people with albinism and so should we.
Passionate about caring for Africa.
Arthur Adeney
Supporter of AE: 30 years
Arthur was born in Burundi Africa where his parents were mission workers with the Church Mission Society for 40 years. He attended boarding school in Uganda and Nairobi before finishing his schooling career in London. After completing his medical degree, Arthur and his wife Jan spent 12 years in Tanzania with Crosslinks Mission Society. They moved to Australia after their time in Tanzania but have continued to support the work that AE does for the past 30 years. Arthur is passionate about caring for Africa, not just because he grew up there but also because he has seen first handed what God’s work has done in Africa.
You can read more about Arthur in the July edition of African Harvest magazine.
Burundi map source: https://www.britannica.com/place/Burundi
Burundi hut source: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/485755509778955110/
Here to Support.
The AE teams in Africa are working hard to continue with their planned missions for 2020 through Home Based Evangelism (HBE). They are trying to find creative ways to reach out in their communities and evangelise, facing challenges that we cannot always comprehend.
Poor internet connection (or none), limited access to devices and exceptionally expensive data are of the few issues our teams are currently dealing with. In addition to this there are poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, marital issues, limited health care and a shortage of food and hygiene supplies.
Our AE African Teams are planning online training and evangelism where possible and outdoor events as soon as restrictions are lifted. They are also exploring options of training and evangelism through television and radio broadcasting in able to reach more people.
As the AE Australasia team, we are steadfast in prayer for our African teams and have been increasing our social media presence to create more awareness of the situations our teams are facing in Africa, but also to bring you joy and thanks for supporting us. Your prayers and support have helped us to make an impact where needed.
This is what we have been up to:
Radio Broadcasts
Listen to our CEO, Ben Campbell talking to Vision and Rhema radio stations in regards to Aid & Development and Africa in Lock-down.
Vision (AUS)
Rhema (NZ)
Social Media
Follow us on Instagram (@africanenterpriseau) and Facebook (@aeaustralia) to read more about how your support is changing lives in Africa.
Have you seen our Facebook post about these African kids singing father Abraham? It’s been viewed by 7.6K people already! Our most viewed post so far!
Also follow us on Instagram for updates and encouragement.
Whether you are supporting us through financial gifts, prayer or just by following us on social media, you are helping to make an impact. We are very grateful for your support.
At AE Australia, we couldn’t be more excited to be hosting the Stephen Mbogo Ministry Tour from the 29th of April and to the 15th of May 2018.
Stephen is a dynamic communicator and leader, and is the International CEO of African Enterprise. He can’t wait to share with you about the many incredible stories of what God is doing through AE across the African continent. Last year alone, over 1 million people heard the good news of Jesus, and nearly 100,000 people made a commitment to follow Christ.
Stephen told AE Australia on Wednesday that he is feeling good and enthusiastic about his Australian visit. He said he wants to encourage Australian supporters to “be on mission with us.”
The work of AE in transforming Africa for Christ can’t be done without the prayer and generous support of Australians.
Stephen is passionate about seeing Africa transformed through the salvation of its people and the sound governance of its leaders. AE missions impact every level of society. This can range from equipping women with tailoring skills so they can escape a life of prostitution, to meeting with political leaders to encourage governments to lead justly.
Stephen has been a part of the AE movement since 1992 and was appointed as the organisation’s third CEO in 2013. He was born in Kenya in 1967 into a family that followed ancestral beliefs. Stephen made a commitment to follow Christ while was in High School – a decision that led his parents and grandparents to know Jesus.
He went on to complete his PHD at Biola University in California in Intercultural Studies where he specifically focused on motivations and leadership values among politicians. This background knowledge enables AE to not only preach the gospel but to advocate for positive political leadership across Africa.
Stephen will be speaking at churches, conferences, and other gatherings across Australia. He would love to meet with you and encourage you to be a part of what God is doing in Africa through AE. This is an opportunity not to be missed.
For full details of the tour, head to our Ministry Tour page. Feel free to also give our office a call during opening hours on (02) 98891799.
Hear Stephen talking about AE missions here.