On the Move

In the span of roughly a century, Christianity in Africa has grown from about 10 million believers to 700 million—arguably the largest expansion of the faith in church history. By 2060, an estimated 40 percent of the world's Christians will be African. But rapid growth raises an urgent question that Dr. Matthew Elliott of Oasis International puts plainly: we know Africa will be a Christian continent; the question is, what kind of Christianity will it be?

In this episode of On the Move, Leanne White sits down with Dr. Elliott to explore what discipleship really looks like in a continent where the church is young, vibrant, and often under-resourced. They discuss the difference between making converts and making disciples, why African culture is often closer to the world of the Bible than Western culture, and how Oasis International is empowering African voices to create theological resources—including the Africa Study Bible—written through African eyes.

The conversation also examines sobering realities: an estimated 150 million Bibles for 700 million Christians, 50 million youth studying Scripture without a copy of their own, and pastors preparing sermons from phone screens because they lack study books. But the tone is one of hope and partnership—a call for the Western church to approach Africa with both confidence in the gospel and humility to learn.

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Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn or via email at leanne@21cinternational.org.

On the Move is created by 21C International, a Christian, non-profit ministry on a mission to transform communities in the majority world by developing healthy pastors. Learn more about how we're bringing Biblical training to pastors around the world at 21cinternational.org.

Help us provide free, nonformal training to pastors in the majority world by joining us in prayer.