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African Readers Mark Their Place
To understand people’s reading habits is to get a glimpse into their lives. Today’s Missiographic gives you insight into the patterns of African Christian readers in three countries (Kenya, Angola, and Central African Republic) as discovered through the Africa Leadership Study.
Africa’s 1 billion people are geographically, linguistically, and politically diverse. So are the books they read! In the 3 countries covered by this study, 57% identified a favorite author who is Christian (such as Joel Osteen or John Maxwell), 42% identified a favorite author who is African (such as Pepetela, Pierre Sammy Mackfoy, or Ngugi Wa Thiong’o), and only 9.5% identified a favorite author who is both African and Christian (such as Zacharias Tanee Fomum). African Christians expressed a strong desire to read books that are Christian while also African.
Would you be surprised to learn that, according to the American Bible Society, approximately 10% of people in the USA say they read the Bible every day, while 50% of people in these 3 African countries say they read the Bible daily? While there aren’t enough Christian books available by African authors, they are readily reading the Bible as a key form of inspiration.
Personal Reflection
Everyone has a bookmark! Each person has a place in the grand narrative of the world’s knowledge and insight. Because of this, many different books and ideas have impacted each of us. What are you reading right now? Perhaps in the USA, readers have so many books to choose from that the Bible can be drowned out. We need to remember to give the Bible priority in the midst of so many resources. Carefully consider what books you will read next!
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for this picture of readership among Christians in Africa. Bless each reader as they seek to learn more about You and their world through the many books that are available. We also pray that You would raise up African Christian authors and give them the platforms and opportunities to communicate to believers in their countries, on their continent and around the world. Amen
Click here to access this free Missiographic and sign up for future free Missiographics: https://missionexus.org/african-readers-mark-their-place/
About this Plan
As a Christian, what do you think about when Africa comes up in conversation? Africa is a diverse continent with amazing people, cultures, and natural resources. It is also a continent that has struggled through famine, wars, disease, and instability. The good and bad have much to teach us. So let’s learn from our African brothers and sisters in Christ. Here are some examples: Can you quote any African proverbs? Do you know what African Christians are reading? How long has it been since you thought about AIDS or Ebola? Have you prayed for the leadership of Africa? Adventure into Africa the next 7 days with your eyes and heart open, ready to consider the challenges and opportunities that God might place before you.
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