Mark, who wrote the Gospel of Mark, also planted Christianity in Africa. Since the church was founded there, it has had remarkable growth despite its setback to Islam in the 8th century. According to World Book Encyclopedia in 2002, 40% of Africa’s population was Christian. According to World Christian Encyclopedia, by 2025 there will be 633 million Christians living in on that continent. Pew Forum estimates that by 2060 40% of all Christians worldwide will live in Africa. All this helps confirms what the Apostle Paul said about the reception Gentiles would give to the Gospel. Paul was speaking to his Jewish brothers in Rome when they came to hear him as a prisoner, recorded in Acts CH 28. He lamented that after spending an entire day seeking to persuade them that Jesus Christ was their Messiah, appointed by God to be the Savior of the world, they would not accept Him. Before they left he said to them, “I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.” Of course, Gentiles in many parts of the world embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior—yet most notable today they are doing so on the continent of Africa.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
