Evangelical Growth Soars in Africa, Challenges Persist in Theological Education

The Dynamic Shift in Global Evangelicalism: A Closer Look at Regional Growth and Challenges

SEOUL, Korea — Recent observations underscore a significant transformation in the global landscape of Evangelical Christianity, with Africa at the forefront of this remarkable development. According to researcher Jason Mandryk, Evangelicalism’s expansion in Africa has been nothing short of “explosive,” while Western countries witness a much more “modest” increase.

Presenting his findings at the World Evangelical Alliance’s General Assembly, Mandryk shared a comprehensive analysis of the movement’s growth. In 1960, Evangelicals comprised just 8% of the global Christian population, a figure that has since surged to over 25%. The current global Evangelical population is estimated to be between 600 million and 650 million.

“We are many …, we are increasing,” he noted, attributing this rise to factors such as natural growth, evangelical outreach, and the “Evangelization” of non-Evangelical Christians. Today, a significant 70% of Christians, including many Evangelicals, reside in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with Africa experiencing rapid urbanization as rural believers migrate to urban centers.

Mandryk emphasized the vitality and swift growth of African Evangelical churches, highlighting that nearly 70% of worldwide Christian growth is happening on the continent. He described these growth rates as “astonishing” and noted that this shift has been ongoing since 1980, which he termed a “tipping point” in global Christianity.

“The future of Christianity is already here, and it has already been here for 45 years. This is not new news,” Mandryk stated, pointing to the diminishing perception of Christianity as a predominantly Western or “white man’s religion.”

Despite the promising growth, Mandryk raised important questions regarding the current and future leadership of Evangelicalism. He questioned whether it will be shaped by current demographic realities or remain influenced by past traditions. He stressed the need for prioritizing discipleship, pastoral training, and leadership development as essential components of this expansion.

The term ‘Evangelical’ itself remains a subject of debate within the movement, with varying definitions and interpretations. Mandryk acknowledged, “There are many tribes of Evangelicals, many points of contention regarding what our priorities should be…” He called for clarity and confidence in explaining Evangelical beliefs, despite recent scandals that have tarnished the movement’s reputation.

Joining the discussion, David Tarus of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa highlighted the urgent need for accessible theological education and training for African pastors. Citing research, Tarus revealed that 90% of African pastors lack formal theological training, with financial constraints and time being significant barriers.

The challenges of syncretism, prosperity gospel, and divisions within African Christianity necessitate new approaches to educational access, Tarus argued. He emphasized the importance of bringing theological education to local communities rather than waiting for individuals to attend formal institutions.

Efforts are underway to provide informal training alongside traditional degree programs, which often prove inaccessible due to their length and complexity. Tarus shared his father’s story, who, despite lacking formal theological education, successfully planted many churches after receiving informal training from educators who ventured into villages.

“We need to begin imagining ways of developing such kind of leaders because those are the kind of leaders that the Church depends on,” Tarus concluded.

This article was originally published at Christian Today