About African Enterprise
What would it look like for churches across an entire city to come together with one purpose—to make Jesus known?
That's the vision behind African Enterprise.
African Enterprise is a Christian evangelistic ministry focused on reaching the cities of Africa with the Gospel in both Word and Deed. Rather than working separately from local churches, AE brings churches and Christians together for coordinated evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, and practical service within their own communities.
Its mission is straightforward: to evangelize the cities of Africa through Word and Deed in partnership with the Church.
A Vision for Africa
African Enterprise's story began with Michael Cassidy, a young South African who felt called to urban evangelism in Africa.
In 1961, while studying at Fuller Theological Seminary, Cassidy traveled through major African cities exploring what Gospel ministry across the continent could look like. After completing his theological studies, he returned to South Africa with a small team, and AE's first city-wide mission was held in Pietermaritzburg.
From there, the ministry gradually expanded across the continent.
Today, African Enterprise has ministry teams in multiple African countries, working alongside local churches to reach people from very different social and economic backgrounds.
Reaching the Whole City
One thing that makes African Enterprise distinctive is its approach to stratified evangelism.
The idea is that the Gospel isn't only for one part of society.
During a city-wide mission, AE and local churches intentionally seek opportunities to reach people throughout the city—from children and university students to business professionals, community leaders, families, and people living in vulnerable communities.
Preparation can begin more than a year before a mission. Churches are mobilized, local evangelists and counselors are trained, volunteers are prepared, and relationships are developed within the city.
Then comes a concentrated period of Gospel outreach through churches, workplaces, schools, universities, homes, public gatherings, and community events.
But the work doesn't end when the mission does.
New believers are connected with local churches and mentors so discipleship can continue within their own communities.
The Gospel in Word and Deed
For African Enterprise, proclaiming the Gospel and demonstrating Christ's love belong together.
That's why evangelism is accompanied by practical programs serving vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Depending on local needs, that can include vocational training, healthcare and health education, water and sanitation projects, apprenticeships, women's empowerment initiatives, youth programs, and other community development efforts.
AE also works in areas such as peacebuilding and reconciliation, leadership development, and strengthening the capacity of churches and Christian leaders.
The practical expression may look different from one community to another, but the motivation remains rooted in the love of Jesus.
Partnering With the African Church
African Enterprise doesn't want evangelism in Africa to depend primarily on outsiders.
Its model is built around mobilizing African churches and believers.
Local Christians understand their cities, languages, cultures, challenges, and communities. AE helps bring those believers together, equip them for evangelism, and create opportunities for churches to participate in mission side by side.
This makes the local church central not only to reaching people but also to discipling them afterward.
Transforming Cities Through Jesus
African Enterprise's vision is to be a faithful and effective catalyst for holistic urban evangelism across Africa.
That means reaching individuals while also strengthening churches, developing leaders, empowering young people, serving vulnerable communities, and encouraging reconciliation where division exists.
At the heart of African Enterprise is a simple conviction: Africa's cities can be reached when Christians work together—proclaiming Jesus in Word, demonstrating His love in deed, and helping local churches continue the work long after a city-wide mission ends.
