We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to save people from sin and transform lives and communities.
Our vision is to see the creation restored to its original purpose through God being all in all. Our vision is derived from God’s vision outlined in 1 Corinthians 15:28. (“Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”) We believe that God will accomplish this vision through Christ having the preeminence in all things, according to Colossians 1:18. (“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” See also Romans 8:29, Colossians 3:11) This will be done by the power and work of His Holy Spirit, according to 2 Corinthians 3:18. (But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”) This is for the joy of all people who believe.
The Africa For Christ team does what it does for one reason: the glory of God is our greatest joy. Read below to find out more about us as individuals who have come together for a common purpose:
Johan & Lana van Helsdingen
Johan and Lana founded Africa For Christ in 1994. After many faithful years in Mozambique, they returned to South Africa in 2019, where they continue to serve the Body of Christ in Lydenburg, South Africa. They minister in preaching, home cells, counselling, and Sunday School at a Christian Care Center called “Soli Deo Gloria” which is primarily focused on individuals and families struggling with homelessness, relational issues, and/or addictions.
Wynand Jordaan
Wynand arrived in Mozambique in 2007 and lived in Xai-Xai for 7 years, helping to oversee the AFC churches there and establishing audio Bible study groups in surrounding villages. His passion is the Word of God and prayer, and it is on this foundation that the AFC churches have been built and are growing. Wynand moved to Chicorôa in 2015, and he is the primary overseer of the church plants and missions bases in Mozambique. He also serves as the overseer for the Missions Training Schools in Chicorôa, Màgoé, and Xai-Xai.
Erica Blickens
Erica has been involved in ministry and missions work in various countries for many years, with a focus on Southern Africa since 2008. Erica is based in Chicorôa, Mozambique where she makes regular house visits sharing the Word of God, works with the women and children, and helps with the organization of community and service projects. Erica also oversees the Africa for Christ office administration.
Noé & Joana Jije
Noé and his wife Joana are natives of Mozambique. At the age of 16, Noé gave his life to the Lord during an altar call at the AFC church in Bairro Seis (Xai-Xai). Six years later, Noé, who speaks four languages, began working with AFC missionaries as a translator. He has become an integral part of AFC and helps oversee the Chicorôa and Màgoé church plants, Proclaimer Bible Studies, and the daily tasks of ministry. Noé and Joana and their two daughters are currently based in Chicorôa and are part of the church planting and oversight team. Noé also serves as the Director of both the Chicorôa Missions Training School which began in 2018 and the Xai-Xai Part-Time Missions Training School which began in 2022.
Nelson Mahalamba
Nelson, who grew up in Chicorôa, is a graduate of our 2019 Missions Training School. After his year of Missions Training, including their 3-month outreach to Màgoé, he felt God speaking to him about returning to minister there full-time from February 2020. His desire is to see the people of Màgoé serving the Lord.
Leonel Nicolau
Leonel attended Missions Training School in Mocuba, Mozambique in 2016, where he met Noé, who was a visiting teacher there. After graduating, he went into the Muecate area in Nampula province, where he planted 6 churches. He then reached out to Noé for assistance with the new church plants, and in 2024, he joined Africa For Christ full-time, and continues to work in the Muecate area overseeing the AFC base and churches there.
Ernesto Macuacua
Ernesto, a graduate of our 2023 Missions Training School class, joined Africa For Christ in 2024 as the local worker for our church plant in Nhautse where he gained church-planting experience. In 2025, he moved to Chikumba, where he is now overseeing the Africa For Christ base there.
Arcénio Nhaliguangue
Arcénio, a graduate of our 2024 Missions Training School class, has a passion for missions and joined Africa For Christ in 2025 to oversee the Africa For Christ base in Inhazonia.
Angélica Nhanombe
Angélica, a native of Chicorôa, was a graduate of our first Missions Training School class in 2018. She has since been a regular addition to our weekly ministry activities, and in 2021, she joined our team as the full-time Administrator for the Missions Training School in Chicorôa.
Missions Training Schools – Chicorôa, Màgoé, and Xai-Xai
In 2018, AFC began a Missions Training School in Chicorôa with the goal of training Mozambicans missionaries. Using a curriculum called the LiveSchool from World Outreach Centre in South Africa, AFC’s Missions School students go through a rigorous 6-month classroom phase of study and character development, while joining in the day-to day ministries of AFC in Chicorôa. Following the 6-month training phase, the team of Missions School students go together on a 3-month outreach where they take part in AFC church-planting projects. The year has proved to be a challenging, but extremely valuable, experience for those who have completed it! In 2022, AFC opened another full-time Missions Training School in Magoe and a part-time (2-year program) in Xai-Xai.
For information about application to the Mission Training School, please contact us.
Dian Matthee
Dian is a part of the AFC Board of Directors and has been involved in various forms of ministry for over 20 years. His passion is for people to know Christ, and he has been a significant part of outreaches to Xai-Xai, Chicorôa, the Cahora Bassa area, and Chikumba, and he has added invaluable input and assistance for many of AFC’s building projects.
Gerhard Jordaan
Gerhard, a chartered accountant in Swellendam, South Africa, joined Africa For Christ’s Board of Directors in 2019. He oversees the finances for Africa For Christ and lends his advice and wisdom in ministry and financial matters.