About
A movement of movements, rooted in Africa’s own story.
Who we are, what we believe, and how we serve the African Church.
The Movement for African National Initiatives (MANI) is a network of networks focused on catalysing African National Initiatives and mobilising the resources of the Body of Christ in Africa for the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
Our purpose
MANI exists to affirm, motivate, mobilise and network Christian leaders by inspiring them with the vision of reaching the unreached and least evangelised in Africa and the wider world — through up-to-date research, reports and models, consultations and prayer efforts focused on the unfinished task.
“…that Africa be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” — Habakkuk 2:14
Three convictions
- The Church in Africa has a crucial role to play in the fulfilment of the Great Commission in the 21st century.
- The Church in Africa has the ministry gifts, manpower and material resources to complete this task in Africa and to contribute significantly to global evangelisation.
- Through the focused deployment of those resources we can partner with the global Church to achieve “a church for every people and the gospel for every person”.
What is an African National Initiative?
A National Initiative is an evangelistic partnership within the Body of Christ in a given country — drawing together major denominations, local churches and Christian ministries in a multi-pronged national strategy of renewal, church growth, discipleship and missions. Each initiative takes its own form and name: the Ghana Evangelism Committee, Nigeria Finish-the-Task, Finish the Task Kenya, Target 2000 in Zimbabwe, the Disciple Namibia Movement and others.
Its ultimate scope is the whole country — “the whole Church taking the whole Gospel to the whole man in the whole country” — following the pattern of Acts 1:8, from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
Guiding principles
How MANI works
Distilled from MANI’s foundational documents, these principles shape every partnership we enter.
The local church first
MANI prioritises the African local church, helping her take responsibility for what needs to be done in Africa.
The whole Body of Christ
Anything from outside must enhance national initiatives and mobilise the whole Body — not one stream of it.
A movement, not events
MANI is a movement of people. It will not become event-oriented.
No dependency
We refuse any project that perpetuates dependency and outside control. Outside resources are welcome — implemented at our discretion.
Partners as equals
The African Church has come of age and relates to outside organisations as equals.
Advocacy & a prophetic voice
MANI advocates within the African Church and coaches outside partners in how to serve its goals.
Strengthen, don’t control
We commit to what strengthens local initiatives and empowers the African Church.
Unity of the Body
It is all about genuinely empowering national initiatives and encouraging unity in the Body of Christ.
How we are organised
A coordinated network
MANI is coordinated by a team of a Continental Coordinator and regional coordinators, working with national coordinators and network facilitators.
Continental
Keeps the vision, plans the continental consultations, develops policies and provides accountability.
Regional
About 13 regions including diaspora regions. Coordinators cast vision and mentor national leaders.
National
National coordinators facilitate initiatives and launch new ones where none exist.
Networks
Strategic ministry networks — women, children, prayer, emerging leaders, research and more.
Walking with global partners
MANI has a working partnership with the Association of Evangelicals in Africa and relates closely to the WEA Missions Commission, the Lausanne Movement, the Great Commission Roundtable, the Third World Missions Association, Joshua Project and Operation World.