Draft:Evangelical Alliance of South Africa
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| Evangelical Alliance of South Africa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Interdenominational Evangelical |
| Associations | Association of Evangelicals in Africa |
| Region | South Africa |
| Headquarters | Johannesburg |
| Origin | 1997 Johannesburg |
| Members | 3 million |
| Official website | teasa.org |
The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA) is a national evangelical Christian organization founded in 1995 during South Africa's transition to democracy. It serves as an umbrella body representing various evangelical denominations, churches, and organizations across South Africa.
History
[edit]TEASA was established in 1995 following South Africa's transition to democracy, as evangelical churches recognized the need for a unified voice during this pivotal period. The organization emerged from efforts to bring together diverse evangelical denominations and organizations that had previously operated in isolation, often divided along racial lines during the apartheid era.[1]
Key milestones include:
- 1997: Submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.[2]
- 2005: Hosting a regional HIV and AIDS conference for the Southern African Development Community (SADC).[3]
- 2008: Launches Micah Network in South Africa, for effective advocacy on the millennium development goals
- 2010: Co-hosting the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town.
- 2013: Collaborates with the South African Council of Churches, African Enterprise and others to set up SACLI: the South African Christian Leadership Initiative[4] [5]
- 2018: Launches the Decade of Evangelism.
Mission and Structure
[edit]The organization's primary mission is to unite evangelical Christians across denominational, racial, and cultural lines while providing a collective voice for evangelicals in South African public life. TEASA represents a broad spectrum of evangelical traditions, including Pentecostal, Reformed, Baptist, and independent evangelical churches.
The alliance is governed by a national executive committee with regional representatives from across South Africa's provinces.
TEASA's leadership reflects its commitment to unity and diversity. Key figures include:[6]
- Rev. Moss Ntlha (General Secretary)[7]
- Rev. Sphiwe Ndebele (President of BCSA)
- Rev. Dr. Gustav Claasen (General Secretary of NG Kerk)
- Rev. Renier Pelser (General Secretary of Full Gospel Church in SA)
- Rev. Karl Teichert (Director of OC Africa)
- Mrs. Esme Bowers (Chairperson): A founder of TEASA and a global advocate for women's issues in the church.
- Other leaders bring diverse expertise, from church planting and theological training to finance and public advocacy.
Activities and Influence
[edit]Theological Dialogue
[edit]TEASA facilitates theological dialogue among South Africa's diverse evangelical community.[8] The organization creates platforms where different evangelical traditions can address historical differences while identifying common theological ground, fostering a more cohesive evangelical identity in the post-apartheid context while respecting denominational distinctives. The alliance collaborates on national initiatives and joins evangelical movements to impact the country of South Africa.[9]
Social Justice Initiatives
[edit]The alliance engages with pressing social issues facing South Africa through various initiatives.[10] TEASA supports church-based community development programs addressing economic inequality while having mobilized evangelical churches to provide both spiritual and practical care during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.[11] The organization has facilitated conversations about the church's role in apartheid and created pathways toward racial reconciliation, while also advocating for women's dignity and equality in church and society and addressing gender-based violence.[12]
Public Policy Engagement
[edit]TEASA participates in public prayer events[13] and policy discussions, representing evangelical perspectives on key issues. TEASA also provides a unified evangelical voice on national issues, engaging in advocacy for justice and ethical governance. These issues include religious freedom legislation, anti-corruption measures,[14] national dialogues on education, healthcare, and family policy, as well as constitutional discussions about church-state relations. In one of the most contested elections in South Africa in 2024, TEASA advocated for citizens to not only exercise their right to vote, but also to continue to hold those in power accountable. [15] In 2017, TEASA actively participated in marches to request the resignation of President Zuma following a seventh non-confidence voice in Parliament. [16]
Theological Education
[edit]The alliance works to raise the standard of theological education within evangelical churches through various means. TEASA supports affordable theological training programs and institutions, develops contextualized discipleship materials for African contexts, creates mentorship networks connecting established and emerging leaders, addresses theological and practical ministry challenges[17], and leads in church planting development. TEASA is a founding member of the Church Planting Alliance of South Africa that seeks to stimulate and facilitate church planting movements in South Africa.[18]
International Relations
[edit]TEASA maintains connections between South African evangelicals and the global church in multiple ways. The organization represents South African evangelicals at international forums, facilitates partnerships with theological institutions worldwide, collaborates with global evangelical bodies on shared concerns, and provides a South African evangelical perspective on global issues. [19] TEASA actively addresses pressing issues within South Africa and beyond.
TEASA collaborates with global evangelical bodies such as the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA)[20] and regional networks like the African Evangelical Alliance.[21] These partnerships enable TEASA to address global issues, mobilize resources, and share best practices from an evangelical perspective. [22]
Challenges and Future Development
[edit]TEASA continues to navigate complex challenges within South African society and the evangelical movement. [23] These include balancing prophetic critique of government with constructive engagement,[24] maintaining unity amid theological and political diversity among members, addressing generational transitions in leadership, and responding to changing cultural attitudes toward religion in South African society.
Member Denominations
[edit]| Christian denominations in South Africa |
|---|
The following Protestant church denominations were members as of 2025.[25] Other Christian organizations, academic groups, and individual churches are also members.
References
[edit]- ^ "The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa". TEASA. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Els, Cornelius Wilhelmus (28 October 2008). Reconciliation in Southern Africa : the role of the Afrikaans Churches. UPSpace Institutional Repository (Thesis). hdl:2263/28959. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "The evangelical response to AIDS". Researchgate. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Starting conversation for action at SACLI 2013". African Enterprise - South Africa. 13 February 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "About: South African Christian Leadership Initiative". SACLI: South African Christian Leadership Initiative. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa". About TEASA. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Huffington Post UK contributor". Huffington Post UK. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Kretzschmar, Louise (January 1998). "Evangelical Spirituality: a South African Perspective". Academia.edu. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Heal Our Land Initiative - A Prayer Movement for South Africa". Joy News Magazine. 16 July 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "South African Church Leaders Call for Prayer and Support". The Christian Post. 7 July 2003. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "The evangelical response to AIDS". Researchgate. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Chris Brown concert sparks petition and renews focus on gender-based violence in South Africa". Christian Daily. 30 October 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Healing crossroads in South Africa in 2017". Gateway News. 14 December 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "South Africa: a vision for new freedoms". Evangelicals Now. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa urges citizens to keep leaders accountable regardless of who wins election". Christian Daily. 29 May 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Many evangelicals in South Africa are satisfied with Zuma's resignation". Evangelical Focus. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Religion readily gives the power-hungry what they seek". Mail & Guardian: Africa's Better Future. 2 October 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "The Church Planting Alliance of South Africa". Missional Challenge. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Cape Town 2010: The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization". CBE International. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "World Evangelical Alliance Regional and National Alliances". World Evangelical Alliance. 25 November 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Association of Evangelicals in Africa Members". Association of Evangelicals in Africa. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "World Evangelical Alliance". World Council of Churches. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "To Be Black, Evangelical, and "Left" in the Struggle against Apartheid". Lausanne World Pulse. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "No singing matter – the 'Kill the Boer' song belongs to a different era". Daily Maverick. 8 August 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "List of Denominations". The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
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