| History |
|
|
|
BeginningsDuring the summer of 1961, Michael Cassidy, a South African, set out on an exploratory visit to 31 major cities of Africa . God opened door after door during that trip and Michael was convinced that his calling was to evangelism in the cities of Africa, and very specially to its leadership circles. During that trip Michael went for a long solitary walk on the beach to spend time alone with the Lord. An excerpt from the book African Harvest recalls the experience:
The first city-wide mission was held the following year in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The mission was extraordinarily successful with many acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Saviour and committing themselves to follow him. In 2007, 46 years later, Michael’s ministry and the ministry of AE continue to grow and impact lives in and through Christ. God has been faithful! Pan African DevelopmentIf AE was to reach the 31 cities that Michael had visited and beyond there were going to be geographical and cultural barriers. The need for more teams became quickly evident. A second team was established in Uganda in 1971 under the leadership of the late Bishop Festo Kivengere. As opportunities and funds became available other teams were established. AE CanadaWe were part of the founding of African Enterprise in 1961. When Michael Cassidy went to Africa to test the calling he took with him 4 fellow-students: One Canadian, Paul Birch, from Vancouver and three Americans. Together they launched the first outreach in Pietermaritzburg the provincial capital of Natal South Africa in 1962. Within a few years, the ministry became indigenous and Paul Birch returned to Canada where he, with his parents Rev. Bob and Dorothy Birch and friends, started a Canadian AE support group in 1965. After many years of faithful support the AE Board in Canada appointed their first Executive Director in 1989. In 1991 the first CEO went on to complete a doctorate in Christian Ethics and the current Executive Director and CEO, David Richardson was appointed. Born in Northern Ontario, Canada, David joined AE in South Africa in 1980 and for 12 years served all the Africa based teams as Pan-African Missions Director. AE TodayToday AE is a partnership of approximately 600 staff and countless volunteers and friends representing ten national teams, a pan African mission team, a reconciliation department, a training department and support teams in ten countries across the globe. These teams, departments, boards and individuals have covenanted themselves to continue the mission given to AE at the start - ‘To reach the Cities of Africa through Word and Deed, in Partnership with the Church.’ |
