Angola: A Legacy of Transforming Mission

Igreja Evangélica de Angola (IEA) Soyo

Quimpondo, Angola

Decades of war and conflict have left deep scars in the country of Angola, but the power of Christ and the good news of the Christian faith are bringing change and hope.

Canadian Baptist Ministries first began work in Africa in 1958, in the then Portuguese Colony of Angola. After the death of the Scottish missionary and founder of the Igreja Evangélica de Angola (Evangelical Church of Angola), Rev. Mateus Zacharias Stober, Canadian Baptists sent 24 missionaries to  serve in the West African country.

The years from 1958 to 1961 were an incredibly important time of establishing new schools, medical programs, theological education and churches. A legacy that was not lost in the long decades of war  and civil conflict that broke out in 1961. Although the Canadian missionaries were forced to leave Angola and start new work in Zaire, the ministry of the IEA continued. Perhaps their greatest impact was the investment in young leaders who to this day speak with great affection for Canadian missionaries like the Malcolms, Harveys, Sears, McBeths, Dorthy Sowden, Jose da Silva and the many Canadians who have invested so much in their church.

Luada, the capital of Angola

This past week, Canadian Baptist Ministries joined our Angolan friends for the celebration of ninety years of ministry in the province of Quimpondo, Angola. The Quimpondo mission, which was established in 1925, was the third station of Stober who had initiated earlier ministries in the centres of Zeta (1898) and Cabinda (1902). But it was here in Soyo, Quimpondo, that Stober died and the first Canadian missionaries began their work.

It has been remarkable to see the growth of the IEA as it now has churches, schools and social outreach ministries in all eighteen provinces of Angola. In addition, the IEA has established new missions among the Angolan diaspora living in both Portugal and Namibia. Today the church has grown to now over 60,000 members.

Aaron with IEA General Secretary, Rev. Estanislau Barros

Earlier in March of this year, the denomination elected new leadership. General Secretary Rev. Estanislau Barros, and his colleagues, are determined to see the church raise up a new generation of theological teachers, pastors and leaders.

It was with great pride that the church invited (at their own expense) representatives from Canadian Baptist Ministries to participate in the 90th Anniversary of the ministry in Quimpondo. Rev. Barros made the important gesture as a sign of the IEA's self reliance and maturity as a denomination. 

"We are no longer a church with its hand out," shared Rev. Barros. "We believe that the time has come for the church of Angola to stand up. We are working to improve our seminary and, in the next four years, to have both masters and doctoral degree graduates. We are thankful for how God has used the Canadian Baptist Church to bless our people. We are grateful for how we can continue to walk together as friends."

With a background in education himself, Rev. Barros believes that investing in young people is among the highest priorities of the church. During our time together, it was wonderful to see the church open new computer centres and tailoring projects to assist young people in the rural area of Quimpondo.

Rev. Barros visiting with students of the 

IEA Nova Jerusalem School, Luanda

Aaron with Eduardo Sasa, IEA director of development

and students of the IEA Betel school in Viana, Angola

Education is an important dimension of the ministry of the IEA. Today it has twelve schools scattered across Angola providing quality education and opportunity for thousands of young people. As Principal Jim Joaquin explains, 

“There are many communities like this one, where there is great poverty and no access to school. In order to accommodate the need of so many children, we divide the day in half with 250 students coming each morning and a second group in the afternoon.”

Many pastors within the IEA are bi-vocational working both as a pastor and as a teacher in one of the church schools or public schools. The presence of pastors in the schools provides an opportunity for intentional Christian witness as the pastor/teachers seek to share a good example of Christian life and character.

Rev. Jose Da Silva, serving as Canadian Baptist Ministries' 

Strategic Associate in Angola

It was a great privilege for Canadian Baptist Ministries to sign a new memorandum of partnership with the IEA during this important occasion. Over the next few years, Canadian Baptists will continue to walk with the denomination in strengthening and developing missiological curriculum for its theological college in Cabinda. We are so happy to have our friend and colleague Rev. Jose Da Silva serving with the IEA in this capacity of aiding in the formation of the theological training program of the church as they embrace Integral Mission.

Rev. Da Silva with pastor and historian Rev. Dr. Pedro Manuel

Another highlight of our time together was the launch of the book A Caminhada da IEA em 133 Anos (1898-2011), written by Rev. Dr. Pedro Manuel. The history includes an extensive reflection on the impact of Canadian Baptist missionaries within the development of the evangelical church of Angola. 

"We remember the faithfulness of the Lord. This is not just about the past. Remembering allows us to evaluate how we must go forward to advance the kingdom of God. We share gratitude to God for what he has done and what he will do."

Meeting with pastors and spouses in Soyo

for a time of teaching, prayer, and encouragement

All Glory to God!

Throughout the celebration services in Quimpondo, we experienced the rich harmonies of Angolan church choirs. During the Sunday worship service, 2500 people joined voices in praise as a mighty choir. 

Please join us in praying for the Church of Angola. May it be a force of healing, reconciliation and hope for the people of Angola and for the generations to come.

Please pray for the ministry of our colleague Jose Da Silva as he seeks to increase the education of pastors by teaching and working to improve contextualized curriculum of the Bible School (ITECHA) in Cabinda.