By John M. Johnson

On June 17, 2022, representatives from twelve countries gathered in Arusha, Tanzania, for three days to formally convene the All-Africa Assembly (AAA).¹ This, however, was not the first time a group of leaders from across the continent of Africa had gathered. The first such gathering took place in 1990 but, almost thirty-two years later, the AAA was formally inaugurated.²

Today there is a renewed sense of importance and value within the larger Church of God community across Africa. Fully thirty-six percent of the total Church of God constituency worldwide is in Africa. With the establishment of the AAA, there is a commitment to model unity, accountability, and sustainability to the wider Church of God community.

The newly elected leadership for the AAA is: general director, Africa: Rev. Dr. Cyril Pillay (South Africa); general secretary, Rev. Mailesi Ndao (Zambia); and treasurer, Rev. Dr. Daniel Mdobi Kiula (Tanzania).

In order to facilitate relational connectedness and keep costs manageable, in 2023 the subregions of East Africa, West Africa, and southern Africa will meet for fellowship and planning in order to engender church health, leadership development, and cooperative mission.

All-Africa Assembly participants

The Church of God in the Portuguese-speaking countries of Mozambique and Angola is presently dormant. It is hoped that in cooperation with the Church of God in Brazil and the InterAmerican Conference, missionaries can be sent from Latin America to help reignite the work in these countries.

It is important to note that the AAA is on record committing to promote, encourage, and facilitate the development of women in ministry across Africa (Kenya, Botswana, and Zambia were represented by women).

The next formal gathering of the AAA is scheduled for 2024 in Durban, South Africa.

John and Gwen Johnson serve as regional coordinator for Global Strategy to Africa. Learn more about their ministry and the Church of God reach around the world at www.chogglobal.org.

Feature (top) photo: Prayer for the newly elected leadership (left to right seated) Daniel Mdobi Kiula, Cyril Pillay, and Mailesi Ndao.

¹According to the Church of God Yearbook, the Church of God is found in eighteen countries in Africa. Twelve countries were present at the 2022 AAA in Tanzania, East Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Côte d’ Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

²In 2016 and 2018, two gatherings of African leaders took place. Important groundwork was laid for the establishment of the Assembly. The formal beginning of the AAA was to take place in October 2020 in Durban, South Africa. However, due to Covid-19, it was postponed.