Reflections on the hope of Africa’s youth.
Africa has the youngest population of any continent – nearly 60% of its population is under the age of 25. In a country like Niger, the average age is just 15 years! One of the main reasons for Africa’s young population, is the continent’s high fertility rates, combined with declining child mortality.
Having such a young population leads to both challenges and opportunities. Youth carries with it potential for innovation, creativity and productivity. But if the hope of youth is deferred, it can lead to restlessness and violence.
Africa’s young population could lead to a “window of opportunity” for rapid economic growth for the continent. However, unemployment is one of the biggest challenges facing Africa’s youth.
A recent World Bank survey found that around 40% of young people who join rebel movements, describe unemployment as their main reason for joining these groups. And disillusioned young people have been a source of political unrest in many African countries.
In the face of economic hardship and disempowering politics, many young people in Africa are at a crossroads. They are looking for direction and leadership. At AE, our hope is to present the Gospel in a way that is relevant to them. Our Foxfires youth programs share the message of Jesus, and provide role models that young people can relate to, while our vocational training programs provide youth with viable career paths.
Caroline Mutheu, assistant supervisor of the Foxfires youth programs, explains that,
“Bringing the love of Jesus helps youth make the right choices… And right choices affect our destiny.”
The destiny that God speaks over Africa is one of hope. The only hope that has the power to transform a young person – or a continent. Jesus.
“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)
Cooper Kruize, an AE supporter, reflects on why he partners with AE and meeting Stephen Lungu.
I was a young man in high school searching for something to fill a hole in my life, God through Stephen and his story, showed me that it wasn’t popularity, influence, respect, or a good time that I was searching for, it was forgiveness and wholeness that only Jesus could bring.
In 2008 I was in year 8, a young man, just over a year into high school and although to all my friends and family on the outside I looked happy, I felt like I was far from it. Since immigrating to Australia in 2001 from South Africa, I have always been someone who has lived in the fast lane of life, chasing the next thing. Whether that be the next race, the next “life experience”, the next “well done” from my coaches”, the next friendship, what every it was, when I got it, it wasn’t enough, I needed more, although I didn’t know it. Until my mum took me along to hear Stephen Lungu’s story one night at Turramurra High School.
From the moment Steven got up from his seat in the front row and walked up the stairs on the side of the stage he had my undivided attention. As Stephen begun to share his story I was absorbed, my heart quickly opened-up and aligned with his, it wasn’t that I had the same life experiences as Stephen, in fact it couldn’t be further from it. Although I don’t think I could have articulated it back then, there was one thing that our stories unmistakably had in common – we had a God shaped hole in our lives and we were trying to fill it with things that could not fit, things that could never satisfy. It was through Stephens story my heart knew what it needed to be satisfied, I needed Jesus, I needed him to forgive me and fill me with life, so that I may live life truly to the full. After the event I went up to Stephen who laid hands on me and prayed for me. It was then that I broke down in tears, I don’t know why I was crying, but all I knew is that they were good tears, it was as if I was crying away the chains that I had been a slave to, I felt free.
It wasn’t till a few year later I was re-acquainted to the work that AE was doing all around the world. I was overjoyed to find out that I was not the only life that God had changed through this ministry. Every year through AE over a million people hear the good news that Jesus gives life, eternal life that our hearts desire. Giving to this ministry is the best investment that I have ever made, I can’t wait to meet all my brothers and sisters from Africa one day in heaven and hear how God used AE to bring them to eternal relationship and life with Jesus.
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity
1 Timothy 4:12
Foxfire teams are the youth arm of African Enterprise’s Evangelistic and Mission activities. Each year, across four countries a small team of young people are chosen and intensively trained and equipped for a lifetime of service.
Last year, due to the pandemic, the mix of learning and hands on activities had to be adapted. However, this in turn led not only to souls saved but a lifelong lesson in trusting that God’s word and His mission is unstoppable.
In Kenya, Foxfires conducted a mission in Kawangare estate within Nairobi, witnessing one on one particularly to street children. Of the 301 people who heard the Gospel, 46 made commitments for salvation. Every Sunday the team minister at the Teen’s church in Nairobi Chapel Karen branch through dancing and preaching The Foxfires have been able to minister to 1751 students with 171 making commitment for salvation.
The team also interacted and prayed with patients in the AE Kenya Soweto Kayole clinic and helped clean the compound.
As the pandemic intensified, the Foxfires studied PTC courses online and developed digital content, including short video clips, for evangelism on social media. Group discussions on topical issues affecting teens began almost every day, providing godly counsel to many. More than 613 young people have been reached via these videos and a platform has been created for teenagers to engage.
In Malawi, Foxfires were trained in how to counsel and help their fellow youths who are facing problems like peer pressure, alcohol & substance abuse. They also practiced drama and dance skills in preparation for school and college outreaches.
The spike of Covid-19 cases during the year disrupted the Foxfire’s youth ministry plans since schools closed down and markets were highly restricted by government’s orders. However, the decrease of COVID-19 cases during the last two months of the year gave them the opportunity to do ‘whistle stop’ outreaches at several schools and marketplaces. A total of 2,249 people were reached and 319 people committed their lives to Christ. 
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team donated blood at Malawi Blood Transfusion Services Office in response to shortages, and went to Ntchisi District to distribute Masks and Soap. There they shared the word of God to over two hundred villagers, and eighty adults committed their lives to Christ.
In November, the Foxfire Alumni Initiative was launched to re-unite participants from 13 years of this ministry in Malawi and testimonies of transformation and empowerment bred a thanksgiving heart among the attendees.
In Zimbabwe, Foxfires learned how to participate in Home Based evangelism and help local communities with aid, including helping build a water tank for horticulture fresh farm produce.
In South Africa, the Foxfires conducted school outreaches, reaching 962, with 373 decisions made for Christ. In a village in Kwa Zulu Natal, in the Greater Edendale area, they did an open air outreach. As the Foxfires did their dance and drama, people started to notice and came out to see what was happening. When the word of God was shared, people were given a chance to accept Christ into their lives.
South Africa continues to be the most severely impacted country in Africa by COVID-19, with the strictest lockdowns on the continent. This has delayed the 2021 team from forming, with Pietermaritzburg having been identified as a hotspot area in early January.
We look forward to what God has in store for us this year. We are trusting Him to open doors for us to minister in the midst of the pandemic. We are also praying for protection over our AE team as we set out to do what God has called us to do.
Please pray:
- Praise God that Foxfire training was able to continue in 2020 with innovative strategies.
- Pray for Foxfire alumni to continue in faithful gospel proclamation and to ‘pass on the baton’ by training others.
- That God would achieve infinitely more that we might ask or think through the Foxfires and bring glory to Himself and Jesus in the church through all generations (Ephesians 3:20-21)
- Pray for the successful establishment of a Fox Fire Youth Empowerment Program in Zambia.
- For God’s mercy on the people of South Africa, and that they would call out to Him for relief from the pandemic.
Read more about our Foxfires >
Watch a video update about our Foxfires >
Africa has the youngest population in the world – its average age is just 19 years.
At African Enterprise, we know that the key to the continent is its youth; this is how the dream for the Foxfires, the youth arm of AE, was born. Foxfires play a vital role in AE city-wide and university missions each year, as they reach their fellow youth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The program’s name comes from Judges 15 – where Samson ties torches to the tails of foxes and releases them into the fields of the Philistines. The name is symbolic of youth who, set ablaze with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, carry His fire into the world.
AE currently has Foxfires teams in Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Malawi, with each team made up of around 10 young Africans. Many of our Foxfires come from difficult backgrounds, but they have a passion for the Gospel, and they choose to devote a year of their lives to Christian ministry.
After 2 months of training, the Foxfires visit schools, children’s homes and youth groups, using energetic dance and drama performances to share the Gospel message. They also mentor younger leaders and present programs that help young people to contribute positively to society, while navigating issues such as peer pressure, drug abuse, crime, poverty and HIV/AIDS.
Julie Kibie, a social worker at Bro Beausang Education Centre, was overwhelmed by the effect that the Kenyan Foxfires have had on pupils at the school, describing the Foxfires as “the change agents that we so need for this generation!” One of those pupils, Lizzy, lost her mother at birth, and suffered from low self-esteem due to ongoing rejection by her stepmother. Speaking of the Foxfires, she describes:
“I have learned that my background does not dictate my future or how I should view things… Furthermore, my decision to welcome Christ in my life has had a difference since I can now speak my heart to God. I am forever grateful for the new me that the Foxfires program has carved”.
With COVID-19 having affected the Kenyan Foxfires’ schedule this year, the team are determined to continue shining their light in the midst of dark and seemingly hopeless circumstances. One team member, Brandon, encourages fellow youth around the world not to lose hope during this challenging season:
“Have hope and be positive. See the best that can be done to improve your skill as a young person during this period. Let your dreams keep hope alive. God honours his child’s heart’s desires. He will ensure that it happens in due time. Focus now on the talent, the gifting or the strength you have always passed over or ignored… Be that unmoved change agent for a better life tomorrow. God bless!”
Discipleship in the midst of a pandemic.
The Kenya Foxfires Youth Empowerment Program 2020 started off with great expectations and zeal. Before the covid-19 epidemic, the team completed their induction training and then participated in the following:
- A mission in Kawangware, Nairobi with Open House Global Mission Church. The team conducted one on one evangelism, open air meetings and outreach to street children. In this mission, 301 people were reached with the Gospel with and 45 making commitment for Christ.
- Reaching the teens at Nairobi Chapel Karen on Sundays. They have so far reached 250 Teens with 4 giving their lives to Christ.
- The team has also participated in community work at Soweto Kayole Clinic that is run by AE in one of the slums in Nairobi.
- School and University ministry, the team has reached 2011 students with 123 committing their lives to Christ.
As in any other part of the world, the Foxfires 2020 has also been affected by the Covid-19. The team had to move back to their homes and schools and churches were closed by the government. This resulted in the team having to find ways to reach out and make a difference in their communities through online platforms.
“We maintain contact as a team via zoom every Wednesday to pray together, strategise for ministry, encourage each other and remind each other that God is still in control.”
Here are some examples of how the team is continuing with their discipleship:
Lydia, an intern in Eldoret is making a difference by reaching out to university students on Whatsapp. A lot of students are feeling anxious and Lydia reminds them that God is in control. She encourages them to do online courses to keep busy and she also spends time in prayer for these students.
“I am very excited that at such a time I am making a difference among my fellow youths. Let’s all make a difference wherever we are.”
Branden is wisely spending his time back in Kakamega by learning new skills online and spending more time with God. He also reaches out to his friends with a message of
“Have hope and be positive”
Denis chooses to be a beacon of hope in his community of Thika where he lives with his mother. The own a shop and Denis have made it his mission to disciple to the customers.
“I credit the great efforts of the Foxfires Program into making me fearless in passing the message of hope to many.”
With this approach: Ministry from a Distance, God will still minister to his people through this team.
- Pray for the Foxfires, that they will keep the fire burning.
- Pray for their protection and safety in this period of time together with their families.
- Pray for provision of everything they need that their parents will lack nothing.
- Pray for the country of Kenya and the world as a whole.
- Pray for the youth. That they not fall but will anchor their hope and faith in Christ.
“I am sending you like sheep amongst the wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matt 10:16)
Preparing for any battle will take many months or even years of preparation. And so, it has been for the young Foxfires team who have visited some of the most crime-ridden areas of South Africa to give some of the youngest, most innocent children hope of a better life in Christ.
These young children in primary school are already targets for gang members to become runners for the numerous and incredibly dangerous gangs that exist in the community. In a school system whose ratio of students to teachers is so low (sometimes 70:1), degrees of discipline vary widely, and the Foxfires have many considerations as they prepare to outreach to the young school communities through drama, dance and personal testimonies
Local primary students attend Foxfires outreach service
Senior Foxfires member Bongani explained the impact that the Foxfires have been having over the past two weeks. “It’s been exciting to see the eyes of the children, because it’s likely that no one has seen this type of performance before”, he said. “ Mostly they have only seen secular songs and ‘crumping’, and this is the first time they have heard a gospel song, with accompanying dance and drama.”
Even though the Foxfires were performing before younger members of the school community (the high school had exam preparation), other kids and teachers came out from classes to watch. “Even people outside the school came to watch and listen through the school gates. It’s something that people in Mitchell’s Plain were not used to hearing.
One of the eight-strong members of the Foxfires team Mpumi mentioned how the ministry breaks through some of the false perceptions of living a Christian life. “There is a mentality that if you are a Christian you can’t dance, and you just have to read the Bible”, she said. “We break through the stereotypes on how a young person can live for God. They can have joy and fun in their life and listen to positive music, and that Christianity is also a faith-based lifestyle that serves God.”
The Foxfires have been confronted by the extent to which the young community is exposed to alcohol and drugs, and how life’s bitterness turns some young children into bullies. This is an important part of their message to have a values-based foundation and make wise choices for life.
In terms of their own growth, a fellow member of the team Luyanda talks about the divine commissioning before God to dedicate at least a year of their life after school for evangelistic activities. “Sometimes I don’t feel like I have done enough, but both support team members and the schools have been incredibly supportive”, she said. “We have been consistently called back to schools to reach other generations, which we will do if possible. The various evangelists, pastors and volunteers involved in the mission also minister to us, and we are really blessed when we hear from very powerful preachers like Andrew Palau. Even though we may have our own personal battles back home, God sustains us”, she said.
Three Foxfires team members in front of the Foxfires bus
The outreach in this very divided and dangerous part of Africa has moved the young evangelists right out of their comfort zone. They are having a huge impact on vulnerable young communities, and people of different faith upbringing. One of the Muslim teachers remarked that she has never seen the kids so attentive before at school.
Please pray for the support and sustainability of this crucial outreach program in Africa.
