About Us Quarterly Magazine Foreword: Africa Needs God
Foreword: Africa Needs God Print E-mail
Monday, 06 April 2009 13:21

by Rick Postma

You may have heard or read about the recent atheist-funded marketing campaign in Great Britain proclaiming “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” The campaign is spreading and may soon come to a bus near you. A number of books by such well-known authors as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have also been published in the last year, aggressively promoting atheist dogma by repeating the many tired arguments that have already been refuted by able Christian apologists such as Alistair McGrath.

But at least one atheist, Matthew Parris, has brushed aside those childish slogans and arguments. Instead, he provides a much more powerful opposing argument by bearing witness to the changes worked by God in the lives of the many Africans he met during his recent trip to Malawi. The title of his article appears self-contradictory, “As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.” You can find it on the internet by searching for the title using Google. Here is the money quote (take your time and read through it twice):

Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.

In this issue, Caroline van Dyken tells us about a young Christian man, an orphan, who fits the profile described by Mr. Parris in his article in exactly the country he visited – Malawi. Rev. Erwin van der Meer writes about a home for recovering prostitutes. Missy Christie de Acosta, who was the keynote speaker for our 2007 fall tour, tells us how the work of the Lord is impacting lives in Colombia. Corney Les, Chilliwack Business Group coordinator, describes a recent trip to Nicaragua. In his meditation, Rev. Pronk addresses the biblical warrant for giving even when times are difficult.

This year we celebrate Word & Deed’s 15th anniversary in North America. Thank you for your warm, generous and prayerful support over the years. Together we can humbly thank the Lord for the life changing impact our projects have had in countless lives in the developing world. May His Kingdom continue to grow to the glory of His Name.

North America needs God’s transforming work just like Africa and Latin America do. Thankfully there is a God, the God of the Bible, so let’s put aside the foolishness of this world, roll up our sleeves, and get to work – in thankfulness striving to faithfully reflect Him in thought, word and deed.

Rick Postma is director of public relations for Word & Deed Ministries.
 
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