"Decade of Pentecost" Initiative Spurs Africa AG Growth

The 50 national fellowships making up the Africa Assemblies of God Alliance (AAGA) report growth among their churches in the first half of the decade points to the expected realization of their goals for 2020.

“AG national churches have committed themselves to planting 48,578 new churches and adding 9.4 million new members to the Movement by 2020,” says Denny Miller, AG missionary and director of the Acts in Africa Initiative which coordinates the Decade of Pentecost. 

The decade is being measured from the Day of Pentecost 2010 to the Day of Pentecost 2020. The alliance has already grown from 15.9 million to 18.3 million believers and from 65,000 to 79,000 local assemblies. 

Although 2.4 million adherents and 14,000 churches do not represent half of the stated goals, the most recent figures represent newer goals made in response to growth. Member AG fellowships believe the growth trend will continue. 

“As we enter the second half of the Decade of Pentecost,” says AAGA Chairman Djakouti Mitre, “let us pray and together proclaim the gospel of Christ to the nations in the power of the Holy Spirit.”

A key emphasis of the decade’s goals is to see 10 million African believers baptized in the Holy Spirit. 

“During the 27 years I served in Africa,” says Greg Beggs, AGWM Africa regional director, “it was exciting to see the national fellowships embark on church planting initiatives among unreached people groups. I have seen that trend only continue to expand as I have met with leaders across Africa over the past two years. I believe God is honoring and fulfilling the goals of the ‘Decade of Pentecost.’”

Photos courtesy of Assemblies of God World Missions

Scott Harrup

Scott Harrup is senior editor at Convoy of Hope. He previously served as managing editor of the Pentecostal Evangel.