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 both Chicorôa and Màgoé, as well as the development of future bases in other areas of Mozambique. He also serves as the overseer for the Missions Training Schools in Chicorôa (established 2018), Xai-Xai (established 2022), and, soon, Màgoé.
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.
Kobus & Mandy Britz
After many years in the business world in South Africa, Kobus and Mandy joined the AFC Chicorôa base in 2019, where Kobus became our first English-speaking Missions Training School student. Kobus and Mandy quickly settled into life in Mozambique, eagerly undertaking many projects, and Kobus is the primary overseer for an upcoming church plant in the Poelela/Zavora area.
Missions Training School – Chicorôa
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!
For information about application to the Mission Training School, please contact us.
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.
Alfredo Ndlhalane
Alfredo, a graduate of our 2019 Missions Training School class, joined Africa For Christ in 2022 as the Facilitator for our newly started Part-Time Missions Training School in Xai-Xai. In addition to his facilitator responsibilities, he is involved in daily ministry activities in Xai-Xai, including prison ministry, hospital visits, and audio Bible studies.
El Shabach Ministries
Africa For Christ is partnering with Dian and Sophia Matthee, who are the founders of El Shabach Ministries. Dian, who is a part of the AFC Board of Directors, has been a significant part of many of the outreaches to the Cahora Bassa area and 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.