By the Revd John Kafwanka writing for ACNS

Church Army Africa's 60th anniversary celebrations, which began in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday brought together 200 delegates from D R Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Sudan, Malawi, England, Australia and the United States America.

Welcoming the delegates the Assistant Provost of All Saints Cathedral, Revd Paul Korin, said "If the Church is not positioning itself on mission and evangelism, that Church is waiting to die".

Presenting a keynote address on the theme 'Transforming Mindset, Empowering the African Church to become a mission force' International Director for CMS Africa, the Revd Dennis Tongoi said that the "message of the Gospel is more urgent now than ever before".

Mr Tongoi observed that the growth of Church membership has not resulted in social transformation in Africa. Christians, he said, have failed to be the window through which the world can see the future and present hope. He asked those present why many people on the continent of Africa lived in poverty in the midst of plenty.

Mr Tongoi suggested that this disparity was down to the kind of Gospel that has been preached in Africa over many years, one which has led many Christians having only half the truth. Integral mission and holistic discipleship was, he said, key to unlocking the people's thinking.

He pointed out that it was not how many churches but the quality of churches and its members that would make a difference in transforming society. He added that many preached a Gospel focused on heaven when people rather needed to experience God's Kingdom in the here and now. 

Mr Tongoi warned that "If the Church does not disciple the nation, the nation will disciple the Church".

He praised Church Army Africa for its holistic/integral approach to mission, and concluded by saying that the Church Army had been vital in the life of the nation and the Church in Kenya.