Video: Big dreams and big chills at Africans Claiming Africa for Christ (updated)

Update: See video of a chorus from the Chilenje Church of Christ singing an original composition during the 2012 Africans Claiming Africa for Christ conference in Lusaka, Zambia.

Blogging live from Lusaka, Zambia
I’m glad I grabbed my coat before I headed out the door on this trip.
At the time, I was thinking about the famous (or infamous) summertime rain showers in London. (See my earlier blog post about my brief stopover in Britain during the Olympics.)

Isaac Adotey, a Ghanaian missionary in South Sudan, speaks during the Africans Claiming Africa for Christ conference. (Photo by Erik Tryggestad)

But my red Georgia Bulldogs raincoat also proved handy during my first night in this southern African capital, the site of the 2012 Africans Claiming Africa for Christ conference. It was rainy and chilly as the first speakers took the stage. (After all, it is winter down here in the Southern Hemisphere.)
It was a real thrill to head Isaac Adotey give the evening devotional talk, discussing his decision to become a missionary — first in his native Ghana and then in the new nation of South Sudan. I was blessed to meet Adotey in 2011 and report on his work as part of our Global South series.
African Christians host the conference once every four years in nations across the continent. I attended and reported on the conference four years ago in Badagry, Nigeria. That conference was part of the inspiration for Global South.
This year, I’ve seen a lot of old friends and folks I’ve previously known only through e-mail. I’ve also heard a lot of discussions about self-sustaining missions to the unreached countries of Africa.
Actually, many of the speakers this year are encouraging Africans to think outside of their continent to global evangelism.
Look for more about this in an upcoming edition of The Christian Chronicle.

Klaus Mueller, a longtime worker in southern Zambia, talks about sustainable farming during the Africans Claiming Africa for Christ conference. (Photo by Erik Tryggestad)

• Feedback
  Good to see this picture of Klaus and to learn of his continuing work there. We were associated with him there in the 70s and 80s.
  Eugene & Evelyn Perry

  Eugene Perry

  August, 10 2012

  Praise God and seek the Lord Jesus Christ!!!…PSALM 34 God Bless you and all of yours!!!

  Mike Owens

  August, 10 2012

  Good job of reporting, Erik. Like everyone else, this is hugely impressive. We all praise God for those whose “feet bring good news” of encouragement. Keep encouraging stories like this coming.

  Anita Romeo

  August, 16 2012

  LOVED THE VIDEO! Praise God that Africans are composing hymns native to their own musical culture! Even though I couldn’t understand the words, I still got chills and teared up at this evidence that the Gospel is indeed for “every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Are they singing in English? If so, would love to see the lyrics.)

  Nelda Harle

  August, 16 2012

  I am really touched by the echo and melody of those voices. I had wanted to be one of the participants from Nigeria if not for lack of funds.
  May the Lord continue to keep those who wnt and grant me the grace to attend come next 4 yrs.

  UChenna F. Bekee

  August, 16 2012

  Loved to see the African zeal for the Lord and spreading the good news. Work with WBS in Uganda and Kenya and know their thirst for the word of God. When in Kenya they listen to God’s word attentively and many responded to the gospel.

  Dennis Heitmann

  August, 16 2012

  “… How Great Thou Art…” !!

  C. Rivera

  August, 16 2012

  Having attended two of these conferences, I do appreciate whatever the brethren are doing for the Kingdom all over the world. Thanks to those who work tirelessly in organizing. You indeed deserve God’s amazing blessings.

  Grace Nyanga

  August, 17 2012

  Very great work may our lord blessed his work,and remember Africa

  Lawrence okongo

  August, 17 2012

  Was there any announcement about where/when the next conference will be held?

  Barry Smith

  June, 24 2013

  Barry: No, they didn’t announce a host country for the 2016 ACAC. I’ll post here when we find out where it will be. Thanks.

  Erik Tryggestad

  June, 24 2013