All Africa Conference of Churches

All Africa Conference of Churches is a fellowship of Christian churches and institutions in Africa, working together to promote unity, justice, and peace. The organization was founded in 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the support of the World Council of Churches and the All Africa Council of Churches. The conference has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and is a member of the World Council of Churches, the Christian Council of Nigeria, and the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa. The organization works closely with other ecumenical bodies, such as the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa and the Association of Evangelicals in Africa.

● History

The history of the organization dates back to the 1950s, when African church leaders, including Desmond Tutu and Beyers Naude, began to discuss the need for a continental ecumenical organization. The first meeting of the All Africa Conference of Churches was held in 1963, with representatives from 23 African countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt. The conference was attended by prominent church leaders, such as Albert Luthuli and Julius Nyerere, who played a key role in shaping the organization's vision and mission. Over the years, the organization has been involved in various initiatives, including the African Independent Churches movement, the Ecumenical Movement in Africa, and the Pan African Christian Alliance.

● Organization

The organization is governed by a general assembly, which meets every five years, and a central committee, which meets annually. The general assembly is composed of representatives from member churches and institutions, including the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, the Methodist Church of Nigeria, and the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. The central committee is responsible for implementing the decisions of the general assembly and overseeing the work of the organization, which includes the Department of Theology and Ecumenical Studies and the Department of Mission and Evangelism. The organization is led by a general secretary, who is currently Fidon Mwombeki, and has a staff of over 50 people, including Mvume Dandala and Ishmael Noko.

● Membership

The organization has 173 member churches and institutions from 40 African countries, including Algeria, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Member churches include the Catholic Church in Africa, the Orthodox Church in Africa, and the Protestant Church in Africa. The organization also has associate members, including the African Council of Religious Leaders and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya. The membership of the organization reflects the diversity of Christianity in Africa, with churches from different denominations and traditions, including the Baptist Convention of South Africa and the Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

● Activities

The organization is involved in various activities, including theology and ecumenical studies, mission and evangelism, and social justice and advocacy. The organization has a strong focus on issues such as HIV and AIDS in Africa, poverty and inequality in Africa, and conflict resolution in Africa. The organization works closely with other ecumenical bodies, such as the World Council of Churches and the Christian Aid, to address these issues. The organization also has a strong commitment to youth empowerment and women's empowerment, and has programs to support youth leadership development and women's leadership development.

● Ecumenical Relations

The organization has strong ecumenical relations with other Christian organizations, including the World Council of Churches, the Vatican, and the Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. The organization is a member of the Global Christian Forum and the Ecumenical Forum of Christian Churches and Organizations in Africa. The organization also has partnerships with other faith-based organizations, including the Muslim Council of Elders and the African Jewish Congress. The organization works closely with these partners to promote interfaith dialogue and interfaith cooperation in Africa, and to address issues such as peacebuilding in Africa and human rights in Africa. The organization has also been involved in various international initiatives, including the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063.