Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent. It hosts the youngest amongst all the continents and has a vast array of ethnicities, cultures and languages.
In the eyes of many around the world, including Africans, the continent is seen as a cursed part of the world because of the ongoing problems its people face. As a result, some of the
continent’s citizens complain and accuse their leaders of being the source of endless problems affecting the continent, and causing many to emigrate to Europe and the United States of America.
In 2000, God gave Apostle Dr Paul Gitwaza of Rwanda, a vision to establish an initiative
dubbed, “Africa Rise and Shine” to awaken Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora to
arise and live Christ-centred lives, and play a pivotal role in the transformation of the continent.
According to the Apostle, the initiative began in Rwanda because God wanted the country to become an incubator of the rebirth for a new and transformed Africa.
The year 2021 marked the 22nd edition of this international Christian gathering under the theme, “Africa Embrace the Wind of Change” and this edition proclaimed life again, referring to the Biblical testimony of Ezekiel, who was commanded to speak life into the dry bones.
Reverend Dr. Francis Mbadinga from Gabon was one of the preachers of this year’s edition.
He said that Africa was a blessed continent and that people will only embrace change if they understand the power of God and proclaim more blessings than complaints.
In his sermon, Mbadinga explained the scripture in Ezekiel 37:1-9, saying that while these words were spoken to Ezekiel, they also apply to today’s African leaders.
“It is not time to cry, mourn or complain about difficult situations or problems. It is time for
Africans to use spiritual wisdom to understand the power of God's word and prophesy the changes they want to see on the continent,” the preacher said.
He suggested that Africans take responsibility for finding solutions to their own challenges.
“Africa needs to return to God’s truth in order to embrace the wind of change. The continent faced the same situation as Ezekiel. We need to intercede and receive the power of the Holy Spirit to find solutions to our own problems in His power.”
Mbadinga believes the Holy Spirit is at work and that Africans should be ready to receive God’s ability to change the continent. He called on African church leaders to embrace the wind of change.
The Holy Spirit will manifest wisdom, strength, and knowledge in Africa and God will use
African religious leaders to protect the church and the continent.
Africa does not need new programmes; it needs to return to God. If Africa returned to God and church leaders taught people to embrace God’s values, the continent would change, the preacher
said.
