Search the Episcopal Press and News

October 28, 1974

Picture Caption: The Phenomenal Growth of Christianity in East Africa

74289

Diocesan Press Service

[The phenomenal growth of...]
The phenomenal growth of Christianity in Africa attests both to the strength of the indigenous leadership of today, as well as to a solid foundation laid by missionaries in the past. A symbol of this, a door panel depicting the Epiphany by a Makonde wood carver, was brought from Dar es Salaam in the Province of East Africa by the Rev. George H. Woodard (left) and given to the rector of Trinity Parish in New York City, the Rev. Robert Ray Parks (right). Trinity's Grants Board funded a series of three consultations on the mission of the Church in Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania in August in which Fr. Woodard, Trinity's Deputy for Development, was a participant. Fr. Woodard said that the spirit of the Church in East Africa stands as an inspiration for the recovery of evangelism in America. The Epiphany scene manifests that spirit. "The growth of the African Church, " he said, " is the result of dedicated work by mostly lay pastors (guided by ordained clergy) most of whom are engaged full time in proclamation without pay. "