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BOOK NOTICE. Released in 2025, the second volume of A Survey of Presbyterian Mission History in Africa: Modern Beginnings (c.1940 to c.2020s) is now available worldwide as issued by Barnabas Academic Publishers in South Africa. Jack Whytock continues as the editor and his wife Nancy is the project administrator; they have also contributed entries for the second volume. This publication project was initiated to celebrate the bicentennial of the founding of the first presbytery in Africa. The review of the first volume on Presbyterians of the Past provides background information for the two volumes and is available HERE.
The numerous contributors representing Presbyterianism from several traditions show how rule by elders has grown across the second largest continent. The list includes: Mark Bube, Ernest C. Brown, Keith Coleman, Blair D. Bertrand, Jason Zuidema, John T. Mann, Uel Marrs, David McKay, Marcone Bezerra Carvalho, David Galletta, Bruce A. Sinclair, Andy Warren, Sang Hoon Lee, Larry Saunders, D. Douglas Gebbie, John P. Wilson, Steve Curtis, Samuel Sesay, Ronald Scates, Joster Machilinga Jumbe, John Hugh Stambolie, Aiah Dorkuh Foday-Khabenje, Lukas Ndubi Nyang’au, James Yiga, Okuch Andrew Ojullo, Victor Chilenje, Rex Madalitso Chitekwe, Stanley Muba Shifu, Peterson Kiguli, Joseph Kakule, Steve Magisha Mushenga, Antonio James Coppola, Graham A. Duncan, Roy S. Bartle, Robert Cox (Ric) Cannada Jr., Dave L. Eby, L. Charles Jackson, Ronald M. Munyithya, Doug McNutt, Wafik Wahba, and Rowland S. Ward. Brief biographies of the authors are provided at the beginning of the book.
The Presbyterian traditions represented by the catalog of authors include but are not limited to the: Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC); Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Ireland); Presbyterian Church of Canada (PCC); Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland; Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPB); Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC); Mission to the World of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA); Korean Presbyterians in Africa; Free Presbyterian Churches of Ulster and North America; Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland; Cush4Christ in South Sudan (RPCNA); Presbyterian Church of Australia; Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC); A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO); Reformed Presbyterian Church of Malawi; Bulawayo Presbytery; Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Malawi and Mozambique (EPCM); Église Presbytérienne Camerounaise Orthodoxe (Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Cameroon); The Global Evangelical Church (Ghana); and Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC).
In addition to the entries concerned with the Africa missions of individual denominations are articles for other organizations, topics of interest, and biographies. These include: The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions; History of First-Generation Presbyterian Missions in Sierra Leone; History of the Africa Evangelical Presbyterian Church (AEPC); History of the Presbyterian Church in Uganda; Presbyterian Churches and Missions in the Sudans [i.e. Sudan and South Sudan]; Historical Survey of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP); Synod of Zambia; Historic Scottish Presbyterian Missions in Africa; Jack Chinchen — Evangelical Presbyterian Visionary & Pioneer in Higher Education in Africa; Presbyterian Education and Church Developments in Uganda; Knox School of Theology; Ecumenism, Evangelicalism, and Mission with a Case Study on John Gatū; F. D. Harker & Mrs. M. Benzies – The Akropong School for the Blind; Andrew Jackson Roster – A Founder of Deaf Education in Ghana and Beyond; Ann Jackson – Doctor on the Front Lines in Biafra; Lois Ooms – Applying a Holistic Biblical Worldview to Community Development Principles; Botswana and the United Free Church of Scotland; American Presbyterians and Parachurch Evangelistic & Discipleship Missions in Africa, post WW2; Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship (PEF); Trinity Centre for World Mission (TCWM); Evangelism Explosion (EE); and African Presbyterian Global Diaspora. There are also biographical inserts for, David Craig, Bill Jackson, Shin Sook Kim Lee, Donald (Don) W. McClure, Jack Chinchen, and John Gachango Gatū.
The articles in the 778 page book are distributed in four sections: (1) New Presbyterian Engagers & Africa, 16 chapters, (2) Select Presbyterian Histories from Within Africa, 10 chapters, (3) New Paradigms with the Historic Presbyterians, 2 chapters, and (4) Select Themes, which includes entries for specific individuals and topics, 7 chapters. There is a wealth of additional information and visuals including maps, charts, timelines, lists, illustrations, and photographs (see the list pages 25-31) that combine to give a comprehensive presentation of Presbyterian missions in the vast continent of Africa.
The header shows the Basel Mission Church and appears to have been published around 1915. The Basel Mission Church was in what is currently a part of Ghana. In 1918, it was adopted by Scottish Presbyterians because the congregation had struggled with self government since inception in 1828. For more information see volume 1, which has considerable material about this mission that can be accessed through the index. The postcard is from the Library of Congress Digital Collection.
In conclusion, the importance of both volumes is expressed well in the following endorsement by Alistair I. Wilson, Lecturer in Mission and New Testament, Edinburgh Theological Seminary, Scotland.
As a Scottish Presbyterian, I am thrilled when I encounter Christian brothers and sisters from many parts of Africa who share the same traditions and convictions. Thanks to the efforts of my friends and colleagues, Jack and Nancy Whytock and their many collaborators, the history of Presbyterian mission in Africa has been scrutinized and documented in these volumes. I encourage fellow Presbyterians and all others with an interest in World Christianity to engage with this excellent resource.
Barry Waugh
