Ethos
Holistic Redemption
We believe ministry should be all encompassing because we believe the redemption of God is all encompassing. Not only does God care about our souls but our bodies, lives and communities. The Church, being Christ’s expression on earth today, is able to affect a community and an individual in a way that it transforms it/them from top to bottom, not just spiritually. This ethos of holistic redemption calls for individuals to primarily be reconciled to God through the salvation Christ provides and then to reflect and live out the redemptive, restorative nature of God. This belief is rooted in the Biblical teaching of the “Shalom” (Peace) of God. When the gospel is portrayed as well as proclaimed the message of God’s love is seen as sincere and authentic. We do the King a disservice when we attempt to jump over the Great Commandment (to love God and love people) to fulfill the great Commission (preach the gospel and make disciples). (See Biblical Mandate for scriptural support)
While we believe holistic ministry is important we do want to emphasize that we firmly believe a persons reconciled relationship to God is of the utmost importance.
Authentic Relationships
We believe God is calling His Church to respond to the immense suffering in the world, but we are convinced that this desperately needed help must come in the vessel of relationships. God does not just want money ministering to people; He wants people ministering to people. In this context it would require the Church in the West to be in deep relationship with the Church in Africa. The synergy created by relationship fuels us to care enough to do something and also helps us empathize and understand first hand the complex problems that plague the people. When we enter into relationship, suffering now owns a face and action soon follows. Images of poverty seldom carry a person beyond temporal sympathy but a relationship with the poor will demand that we act. Equally true is that we also begin to see our own poverty and together find that we are to be interdependent and in deep relationship.
The Kingdom (Basileia)
The Kingdom is mentioned over 140 times in the New Testament. It is the redemptive reign of Christ in all things. His Kingdom will come in glory, in all it’s fullness at the end of this age. Yet Jesus has already began establishing it hear on earth through Himself and through his Church. The Kingdom if made manifest through God’s people, through their witness of God’s rule in them; love, mercy, compassion, truth etc. AR submits itself to the establishing of this Kingdom. Being a part of it is critical in our motivation and purpose. Our vision, mission and focus are all subject to and shaped by the establishing of this Kingdom. We feel privileged to be invited into being a tinny part of the establishing of God’s redemptive Kingdom.
The Church (Ecclesia)
We aim at connecting local churches in the west with local churches in Africa so that together they can advance the Kingdom of Christ more effectively. AR takes seriously its role in coming alongside the local church. Believing that the Church is the bride of Christ and we seek to support her efforts. Working with solid local churches, we partner to do what a local church cannot do on its own; providing infrastructure, networking and resources. We seek to also bridge the cultural divide and play an instrumental role in facilitating the relationships between churches. We cannot overstate the importance of the Church in our efforts. This quote by Tim Keller says it best.
“Only the ministry of the church of Jesus Christ, and the millions of “mini-churches” (Christian homes) throughout the country can attack the roots of social problems. Only the church can minister to the whole person. Only the gospel understands that sin has ruined us both individually and socially. We cannot be viewed as individualistically (as the capitalists do) or collectivistically (as the Communists do) but as related to God. Only Christians, armed with the Word and Spirit, planning and working to spread the kingdom and righteousness of Christ, can transform a nation as well as a neighborhood as well as a broken heart.” – Tim Keller
Indigenous Leadership
Indigenous literally means “generated from within”. Not only was AR founded and is directed by an African whom was born and raised in Zambia and South Africa, but the direction of Africa Revolution is subject to the wisdom and leadership of our indigenous partners in Africa. AR strives to have a marked spirit of humility and submission in this area.
Grassroots Impact & Discipleship
While many choose to bring about change at various levels of society (which is critical) we believe our call is to make an impact at a grass roots level. This means we seek to impact the daily lives of common people on a very tangible and personal level so that they in turn are empowered to transform their community. Along with our ethos of authentic relationships we believe personal discipleship is key to transformation.
