In July 2000, and in February 2002, God stirred the heart of Graham Power, a successful businessman and relatively new convert, regarding Africa becoming a "Light to the world.”
The first stage was to invite the Christians in Cape Town, South Africa from all denominations, to unite in a Day of Repentance and Prayer. 45 000 Christians gathered at the Newlands Rugby stadium on March 21, 2001. This started a process that shook the city as it spilled over into the community changing many lives throughout the city of Cape Town.
In the next year, eight other areas across South Africa hosted similar events. The event was broadcast live on national television by Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and the GOD Channel. Many participated in community centers, churches, correctional facilities, retirement homes, town halls, and private dwellings. It was also seen and heard in many African countries via the television and radio broadcasts.
These events so captured the hearts and minds of people all over the continent that it was decided to develop a strategy that will take the process of Transformation forward. A summit was held from September 22 – 25, 2002. Some 220 church and community leaders, businessmen and delegates from nine different African countries were gathered. The representatives decided on a mission and vision for Transformation Africa. The vision is "Africa for Christ" with the mission being "Transforming Africa through Unity and Prayer as we mobilize the Body of Christ and all spheres of society, Community by Community, Nation by Nation with the full Gospel of Jesus Christ"
The challenge facing the regions then was to unite all the churches in the different regions to work together towards transforming South Africa and Africa. People needed to take hands over a broad spectrum, not only with regards to race and culture, but also across the boundaries of various church denominations.
In the same year, the International Prayer Council (IPC) gathered in Cape Town, South Africa. At this international consultation a proposal was made to network a Global day of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005. This coincided with the vision of Transformation Africa and many reports from elsewhere in the world.
Across the continent Christians were so inspired that 77 South African regions and 27 African countries (66 cities) committed themselves to participate in the process of Transforming Africa and taking part in a Day of Repentance and Prayer for Africa on May 1, 2003.
In 2004, the Day of Repentance and Prayer for Africa was held on May 2. The aim was to have all 56 countries in Africa participate. Part of the planning was to involve every town/community in Africa. More than 273 cities/towns in South Africa and all 56 countries in Africa (more than 1,200 towns/cities) committed themselves to the process of transforming Africa and participated in a Day of Repentance and Prayer for Africa, raising a "Canopy of Prayer" across the continent. More than 22 million people are known to have participated. This was a day that has undoubtedly changed the face of Africa forever.
The next stage will see a Global Day of Prayer which will take place on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005. The plan is to start praying as the sun rises in the East (New Zealand) in different time zones until the Sun sets in the West (USA). The planning will involve leaders from all 6 continents and will include more than 240 countries around the Globe under the auspices of International Prayer Council.
At the October 2004 IPC meeting in Thailand, 70 prayer leaders from each of the major regions of the world met to consult and plan for the Global Day of Prayer. These leaders represent networks that affect tens of millions of Christians. The commitment to proceed was re-confirmed by these leaders as was the conviction that the Global Day of Prayer process should continue each year until 2010, in order to build momentum and fill the earth.
Videos
Call from Africa Video (14 min) - Transformation Africa 2004 Report
Trans2004Report.mov (File size 19MB, To Download: Right-click and select "Save As Target...")
Call from Africa Music Video (4 min) - Transformation AfricaMusic Video
musicvideo.mov (File size 6MB, To Download: Right-click and select "Save As Target...")
WayMakers suggests QuickTime to view these videos, which you may optionally download free from here: QuickTime |
